This was my first time installing a covered/hidden zipper, not to be confused w/invisible zipper. But I had the perfect zipper for this pillow cover and I was determined to use it.
I looked at a handful of YouTube vids before coming across this one by Bungalow Quilting that was simple enough for me to follow, although she refers to it as a “zipper flap”. The only modification I made was cutting my flap 3.5” instead of 5”.
It turned out much better than I thought it was going to.
I’m extremely pleased w/my pillow cover!
And my second “first” is facing a quilt. Facing is a finishing technique that is not binding. When I went to the International Quilt Festival in Houston last year I saw a lot of quilts finished this way. I couldn’t even wrap my head around the process but after seeing one of Wendy’s posts, I asked her about it and she sent me this easy peasy tutorial and I did it! Thanks Wendy and Victoria!
Victoria says she thinks faced quilts “hang better and flatter”. Since I really like how my patriotic star quilt hangs, I’m considering removing the binding from another of my wall hangings that I’d like to see “hang better and flatter” and face it instead. Is this crazy or what?! Maybe someday I’ll even try facing w/mitered corners.
How about you? Have you ever faced a quilt? If so, do you prefer it to the traditional binding?
A Thread for Life
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
Linking up at:
A Quilted Passion 
Wow your pillow is really great. The few pillows I’ve made I’ve used the flap method. (Not the right name but should identify the style!) Yes, I have faced a quilt. I can’t say whether it hung straighter than others or not. I’ve not had too many quilts hang unevenly. Just scanned 3 quilts currently hanging — one has a slight dip on one side. So maybe I should try another facing on a wall hanging…. You’ve shown some really nice quilts, I especially like the last one.
Love your patriotic star quilt! I’ve heard about “facing” a quilt, but didn’t know how to do it – so, thank you for sharing the tutorial! I’ll pull out my 2 wall quilts later and see if I want to change them from bound to faced.
I haven’t tried a zipper closure on my pillows yet, so you are inspiring me to give it a go. Glad you found the facing tutorial helpful! You did a great job on your first facing. Both of those quilts are beauties, and the pillow is so perfect for this month!
No, I’ve never tried facing a quilt but have heard of the method. I’m going to check out the tutorial to see if I can understand exactly what it is and how to do it. No binding got my attention right away! 🙂 Congrats on your two ‘firsts’ – they both look great! Thanks for sharing your projects on MCM Zenia!
I have done both, I prefer binding. And to add to your arsenal with pillow covers, try cutting your corners for a less mushy corner. A trick I learned from an interior decorator. https://sew4home.com/how-tapered-corners-make-square-pillows-quick-pro-trick/
Love all your patriotic stuff!
These are all beautiful! I’m going to check out that tutorial before I do another pillow. I like your zipper better than mine. Love the star quilt and your quilting is lovely!
That really is the perfect zipper for the pillow and your hidden zipper could not be more perfect. The pillow looks amazing. Love the binding! Ever since I learned to face a quilt, I only do that for my art quilts. Facing does look so much better. Your quilt looks so wonderful!
-Soma
I love big star quilts and I’d love to know where you got your labels.
Love that pillow and the zipper is perfect. I have put in zippers many ways but that is a new one to me.