You can choose from four techniques to learn how to finish sewing a pillow after stuffing. This way, you can find the most convenient closure style for your pillow. Never overlook the way you end your pillow after stuffing because it dictates its durability.
Furthermore, some closures are permanent, while some allow adjustment. You might be using some materials that will do best with a specific closure technique. Continue reading this article and finish your pillow stress-free.
How To Close A Pillow After Stuffing
Before anything else, it’s worth noting that finishing a pillow doesn’t necessarily mean it should happen after stuffing. This may be confusing, but the only way to close a pillow after stuffing is by sewing the open side to protect the filling inside. Therefore, this guide is for finishing a pillow with different closure techniques after you stuffed the pillow form.
Stitches
There are four main ways to finish sewing a pillow after stuffing. The first one is to close the pillow entirely so that all corners are fully stitched. You can do so with basic hand stitches or with a sewing machine, depending on what’s convenient for you.
With this method, you don’t plan on removing the stuffing or pillow form from the liner. This is excellent for materials that won’t need replacement, and you want to ensure that the filling won’t spill. However, you must ensure if the materials are washable since you can’t separate the cover from the stuffing.
How to finish the pillow? Since you left one side earlier, you want to iron and fold the edges inside the pillow before you start stuffing. With the seam allowance in mind, make a whip stitch or blind stitch for a neater look.
Zipper
If you don’t like the limitation of finishing a pillow with stitches entirely, you can opt for another closure style with a zipper. This removes the stuffing or pillow form easily yet secured since the pillow is still shut. However, not everyone is comfortable with adding a zipper to a pillow.
The good news is it is relatively easy, and the benefit of swapping the pillow liner and inner pillow for cleaning is worth it. If you’re worried about affecting the pillow’s design, you can always learn how to add an invisible zipper instead. This is especially useful for throw pillows and other decorative types.
Adding a zipper is you sew it in place in the earlier steps of making the pillow. Therefore, you don’t add a zipper after stuffing. Instead, add the zipper in place after you sew the fabric pieces.
A familiar favorite for finishing a pillow is by not closing it entirely with stitches nor a zipper. Instead, you’ll use two fabric pieces at the back to overlap and cover the pillow form. The pocket style closure is also something to do before stuffing.
How to do this? The quickest way is hemming a rectangular fabric piece and folding it to allow the ends to overlap. Then, sew the sides together, and you’re done.
Envelope
If you don’t want to expose the pillow form you just stuffed, another way to finish a pillow is by using an envelope closure. The top of the cover will pull over the top of the form inside to not be exposed. The method is somewhat similar to pocket closure, but you’ll use more fabric, and you can also add buttons to keep the flap closed.
How To Sew A Pillow Closed
Since the only way to finish a pillow after stuffing is sewing the open end, you need to learn how to do so the easiest way. Do note that you can do various closure styles for pillows, but most of them, like adding a zipper happens before you start stuffing to achieve a neat look. Meanwhile, types like pocket and envelope closures are best for pillow covers for pillow forms you finished by stitching after stuffing.
The quickest way to finish your pillow after stuffing is by making a ladder stitch to shut the open end. Just remember to serge the bottom edges of the fabric as they’re prone to fraying over time. Then, with half an inch of the seam allowance, make a small stitch on the right side of the fabric and go across the other side.
Continue from right to left, and you should see the stitches form a ladder with the fabric cover. Then, make a knot to secure your closure. You can make several knots to ensure the durability of your stitch.
Conclusion
Now that it’s easy to make a pillow yourself, you want to familiarize yourself with closure styles. You can understand how to finish sewing a pillow after stuffing either by stitching, adding a zipper, or manipulating the cover to make a pocket or envelope style closure. Do note that you can only finish a pillow after stuffing by stitching and closing it using another best style before stuffing.
If you’re using a pillow form, you can close the pillow cover with either a pocket or envelope closure with fabric. Otherwise, a stuffed pillow can have fully closed corners or zippered ends. Choosing among these closures will depend on what’s convenient for your pillow materials and pillow style.