How to Make a Piping Edge on Pillows
- 1). Measure the perimeter of one of the pillow's fabric panels. Cut a length of piping 3 inches longer than the panel's perimeter with scissors.
- 2). Line up the flat edge of the piping with the edge of the fabric panel in the middle of one of the panel's sides. Place the piping against the right side of the fabric. Pin the piping in place with straight pins as you line it up all the way around the perimeter. Make small snips into the flat edge of the piping when you come to a corner to ease the piping around the corner. When you get back around to where you started, curve both ends of the piping away from the panel at a 45-degree angle, so they overlap just before going off the edge of the panel. Pin this overlap.
- 3). Sew around the edge of the panel with a 1/4-inch seam allowance to attach the piping to it. This will hold the piping in place while you sew the two panels together with the piping sandwiched between them since you won't be able to see the piping during that step. Remove the pins as you sew. Trim the ends of the piping flush with the edge of the panel.
- 4). Place the pillow's second fabric panel against the first with the right sides facing each other and the piping between the two. Replace the presser foot on your sewing machine with a zipper foot. Sewing machines differ, so consult your machine's manual for instructions on switching the feet.
- 5). Sew around the perimeter of the case with the foot as close against the right side of the piping as possible. You can feel the piping through the fabric allowing you to get snug up against it. Leave only one side of the case open; not the side where the piping ends meet.
- 6). Turn the case right-side out through the open side and stuff the pillow form in it. Fold the edges of the fabric along the open side so only the thick edge of the piping is visible. Slip stitch the open side closed with needle and thread.
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