K-Roll

Plan is to make a knife-edge pillow with an invisible zipper.
I've only ever made envelope-style pillows or regular "bed" pillowcases.
Have the fabric, have the pillow insert, have the invisible zipper.

Should I sew the zipper to the fabric before I sew the 2 panels (front & back) of the pillow together?
I'm thinking it's easier to have the fabric flat in 2 pieces and then sew the seams around.
Dimensions 15" x 15" (square).
Or do I sew all seams except the zipper side first? Then the zipper?

The zippers are 22" long so of course I'll be trimming them to fit, trimming the bottom to the proper length, that is, as I've read can be done. (On sale, perfect color, what can I say...)
Planning on the zipper being one whole seam except for about an inch on either side of zipper.

Now getting cold feet because...maybe my plan is backwards.
So I turn to the great QB oracle. So much experience here.

mermaid

The way I do..sew 2 squares together on only one side, but just at the ends about 2 inches..leaving open between. I then like to baste the remainder of the seam with lge stitching. Install the zipper and open slide (for turning later. Then I sew, wrong sides together, the remaining 3 seams. It gets a little more complicated when there's cording, fringe. or ruffle. But this is quick and simple. If you are are using a 'truly 'invisible' zipper, then the seams are sewn after zipper is in.

Rhonda K

The zipper first. I like to put them about 2-3 inches up from the bottom seam line with a flange. It reduces bulk along the bottom of pillow. Easy to do.

Here is another method for zippers.

https://destashification.com/2011/12...n-free-zipper/

Another one too.

http://justgivemeaneedle.blogspot.co...ed-pillow.html

SusieQOH

I would do the zipper first. Works for me.

annievee

I would do zipper first, using correct invisible zipper foot.

Feather3

This blog shows you how to sew an invisible zipper in a pillow step by step with photos:

http://jonag.typepad.com/stop_starin...ns-needed.html

sewbizgirl

Zipper first, definitely! Make life easy on yourself and sew it in while everything is still flat. Don’t forget to leave it halfway unzipped when you sew the seams, so you will have a hole to turn it right side out.

romanojg

I agree with the zipper first, its so much easier that way.

Chasing Hawk

Zipper first, then finish up, stuff and enjoy.

K-Roll

Thank you everyone, and thank you for the links. Before I posted I had looked for hints and tutes but the ones I found confused me.
I laughed at the name of the blog: "Stop Staring and Start Sewing" --- have been staring at my zippers.
I can do this...I can, I can, I can. I will post a pic when all is said and done.