This tutorial will show you what I do to ensure little or no slipping and sliding when installing a hidden zipper for pillows.
Please Note: I use the Hidden Zipper Tutorial from S.O.T.A.K Handmade. I follow each step, with the exception of pinning the zipper in place.
Gather your supplies: Quilted pillow top, two backing fabric pieces and your zipper of choice.
I happen to have this glue by Roxanne, but I also have Elmer's Washable Glue. Both are perfect! If you are using Elmer's Washable Glue, twist the cap half way open to restrict the flow. You don't need a special tip at all!
Marking the zipper with the width of the pillow back is a great idea. That way you have a better chance of lining up the back panels. Also make sure you center it between the zipper stops.
Squeeze a thin bead of glue from the markings to the middle of the zipper. Lay your panel on the zipper lining it up at the mark.
Using a hot dry iron (no steam), press and hold the iron on the fabric/zipper. It doesn't take a long time, maybe 30 seconds. Move the iron along the zipper until set.
Once the first half is set, I repeat the same process for the last half. I do one half at a time so that I don't make a mess and get glue everywhere! If I can make a mess...I will!
See! The glue is magic! The panel is secure to the zipper and it's nice and smooth. The truth is gluing takes very little time. I would almost bet it takes me longer to pin than glue! Plus, I'm not getting stuck with pins!
The next step is stitching. Just follow the tutorial and you can't go wrong. Another bonus with this tutorial is you can use your regular foot! I adjust the needle to the left or right until it's where I want it to be.
Top stitched perfection!
Glue baste the top panel following the tutorial and viola! no puckering, slipping, sliding or shifting!
Lay the quilted top right sides together, pin and stitch around the edges. I always add 1/2" to my pillow back fabric in case things don't quite line up. However, with glue basting it has become less of an issue. Just a friendly reminder, and it is stated in the tutorial...be sure to open your zipper before the final step! Been there, done that!
For a more finished look and to prevent crazy fraying when washed, I zig zag around all four sides.
That's it! I've done my fair share of zippers over the past few years and nine times out of ten I have some issue with them. Shifting or puckering, sliding or slipping. Perhaps that's why I have never been comfortable installing zippers...ever! After glue basting half a dozen now, I'm confident that this method is the answer to my zipper phobia!
I hope you give it a try if you have any of 'my' issues with zippers. You just might want to adopt me after you give it a go!
How do you feel about zippers? Do you have a 'go to' method? Or maybe some tips and tricks?
