Today, I’m excited to share with you this flying geese pillow cover with invisible zipper!
I was scrolling on instagram a few months ago and saw this pillow from Madewell. Now, a lot of times you can’t recreate a design after buying all the materials for the same price as buying it – at that point it’s because you enjoy doing it. Except that this pillow was $125 for one. Yep, $125! This was a moment when I saw it and knew it was flying geese, I had that “I can totally make that” moment and decided to show you how as well!
Pillow Cover with Invisible Zipper
I reversed the rust and tan colors from this photo, but you can easily switch those colors. Pretty good recreation, huh?! It cost me under $50 for 2 pillows and they are a perfect update to our couch.
Flying Geese Tutorial
Looking for how to make flying geese? Here’s a great tutorial. There are many methods, you can choose whichever you like, but the flying geese need to be 5 x 9 1/2 cut.
Geese Pillow Cover with Invisible Zipper
Learn how to make this flying geese pillow. I originally saw a similar pillow on Madewell for $125. Make this version for less than $30.
Materials
- Front Panel measuring 19 x 19 inches
- Back Panel measuring 19 x 19 (1/2 half yard will be enough for 2 pillows)
- (1) Lining panel 19 x 19 inches. This can be any cotton fabric, it will be on the inside of the pillow cover
- Batting Scrap (Flannel also works) 19 x 19
- 12-14 inch invisible zipper
- 20 x 20 pillow insert
- Coordinating Thread Color
Tools
- Sewing Machine and basic sewing supplies (pins, marking tool, scissors)
- Zipper Foot
Instructions
- Prepare your front panel. You can do this with 1 solid piece of fabric or make the flying geese like I did. My flying geese measure 5 x 9 1/2 cut. You need 8 total, sewn as shown or however you like. A flying geese tutorial can be found here.
- Once front panel is complete, layer a piece of scrap batting and the lining panel and spray baste or pin baste. (Note: my front panel is slightly smaller so that I don't chop of the corners of the triangles. Normally, it would be the same size). Make your lines for quilting, mine were 1 1/8 apart from each other.
- Quilt along the lines with coordinating thread, I chose cream.
- Once it's quilted, trim to 18.5-19 inches square and get our your zipper and iron it straight if needed.
- Place zipper right side down against the edge of your quilted panel (Note: My front panel is smaller so that I don't chop off the corners, PLEASE make sure that your zipper is lined up so that you catch enough of your front panel and that it's secure. If you have a solid piece for the front you can ignore this)
- Pin zipper into place
- Using your zipper foot, sew next to the zipper teeth starting and stoping at the zipper stops (make sure you are catching the front panel, if not scoot your zipper in until you do)
- Pin zipper to the back panel.
- Sew around the zipper pull and then go back and move the zipper pull down so that you can get a close stitch
- Open up and take a look at your zipper to make sure everything is attached and secure
- Fold zipper over and make a mark at the zipper stop. Adjust zipper foot and begin sewing right next to the zipper at that mark and continue all the way around the pillow. Should be about a 5/8 seam allowance.
- Before you get back around, reach inside and open up the zipper so that you can flip the pillow right sides out
- Keep sewing until you reach the other side of the zipper. Make a mark where the zipper stop is and sew up to that mark and back stitch
' - Trim your corners (don't cut the stitch) and zig zag or serge your seam to make it washable
- Flip right side out, insert your pillow insert and check your seams and zipper to fix any mistakes
- Enjoy your pillow!
Kerry
Tuesday 29th of December 2020
Hi Melanie, Your site is great. Thanks for sharing yourself and talent. I see you support local small businesses. During covid when work became scarce my family opened an online fabric store. I was wondering if you would consider checking out our site. We would very much appreciate it. Sending lots of prayers to you and your family. Www.fabricsforquilting.com. with grateful heart, Kerry
Alma Dirpaul
Friday 25th of December 2020
I was looking for a a y bootie pattern and I found yours from 2018! Thanks. You are my go to for any crochet pattern. Your instructions are always perfect, especially your video tutorials.