How to sew a zipped cushion cover

Prima's method for a 40 cm cushion.

Step by step

1. Cut two pieces 42 x 42.5 cm. That is 1 cm seam allowance on each side of a 40 cm cushion, plus an extra 0.5 cm on the zip edge (Prima's figures).
2. Right sides together, pin the zip ends at least 5 cm in from each edge and snip notches.
3. Sew the zip edge with a normal stitch to each notch and a very long stitch in between; press open.
4. Pin the zip face down on the seam allowance and sew round it with a zip foot.
5. Unpick the long stitches to reveal the zip; trim the excess zip.
6. With the zip open, sew the other three sides in one seam, pivoting at corners.
7. Cut the corners, turn out, and press before inserting the pad.

Sources

All checked 1 November 2026. We read these; we did not test the products ourselves.

1. Prima: How to make a simple cushion cover with a zip