Download Pillowcase easy to print PDF instructions here
I've been making pillowcases f o r e v e r. Gosh, we even had a Pillowcase of the Month Club a few years back.
But it wasn't until I recently taught my two grandson's how to sew that I tried this new method of making pillowcases. What's different is that the seams are all totally finished. There are no raw edges anywhere so they look neat and tidy inside and out.
It occurred to me that some of you might enjoy this technique and with summer winding down it's a great simple project to help keep bored kids busy. Great too as gifts for college kids going off to school, a thoughtful gift for a sick friend, for birthday gifts and fun for the upcoming holidays.
Here's what you'll need:
Main fabric 27" x 41" You will purchase 3/4 yard
Cuff fabric: 11" x 41" You will purchase 1/3 yard
Accent band: 3" x 41" You will purchase 1/8 yard
With a rotary cutter cut each of the three coordinating fabrics to the appropriate sizes listed above.
Fold the accent band in half lengthwise and press with right side out.
Layer the three fabrics starting by placing the cuff fabric right side up, the main fabric next, right side up, and then the folded accent band.
Line up all the raw edges and pin in three or four places to hold in place.
Then starting at the bottom of the main fabric start rolling toward the top where the pins are.
Keep rolling...
until you see the bottom of the cuff. Then bring that cuff up to the pinned edge up over the rolled main fabric.
Line up the cuff fabric with the others and re pin the whole thing really well.
Now take that little fabric sausage to the sewing machine and sew along the pinned edge 1/4" from the edge.
Reach your hand in there and put the whole thing right side out.
Press.
Trim the two sides if needed.
You are going to finish the pillowcase with French seams which means there will be no raw edges on the inside of your pillowcase.
Start by folding the pillowcase in half with WRONG sides together.
Pin matching seams where the cuff meets the accent band and sew using a 1/4" seam along the long side and across the end of the main fabric.
Turn pillowcase wrong side out. Press. Sew 3/8" seam along the side and end over previously stitched seam..
Turn right side out and press. That's it! Look how neat it looks on the inside.
Every seam is finished. My grandsons did a great job and theirs looked terrific. I'll never make pillowcases any other way!
Here's a cute winter combination
and one for Halloween. (Much better than giving candy).
I have just one question. Who thinks of this stuff? This is brilliant!
Here's a great video on making these pillowcases.
Encourage one another,
