Pillowcases are such and easy and economical way to completely change the look of your bedding. We decided to go with a super fun tropical bird fabric to add a bit of whimsy! This tutorial is great because it’s easy to customize the size to fit whatever pillows you have. Just pre-measure your pillow and make the adjustments with the fabric cut-outs. Let’s get started!
You will need:
- Fabric 1.25yd (1.1m)
- Thread in a matching colour
- Finished dimensions: 20x30in (50 x 75cm)
- custumized cotton labels
Cut rectangles from your fabric as follows: 41in x 27in (105cm x 70cm), 41in x 9in (105cm x 23cm), 41cm x 2in (105cm x 5cm). If you’re using directional fabric, you need to have the top of the pattern facing the short edge of the pieces – this way the pattern will be correctly oriented on your finished pillowcase.
Fold the narrow strip of fabric in half lengthwise with wrong sides together and press. This will be your trim.
Pin or clip the trim to the top edge of the 41in x 9in (105cm x 23cm) piece of fabric with raw edges aligned. This will form your cuff. The right side of your cuff should be facing up.
Next comes the largest piece of fabric, with the right side facing down. Again, align the raw edges and pin/clip together along the top.
Roll the large piece of fabric up towards the pinned/clipped edge until you see the bottom edge of the cuff. Fold this up towards your pinned/clipped edge, with the rolled large piece of fabric inside. Re-pin/re-clip the seam to include all five layers (cuff, two layers of trim, main piece, cuff). If the layers are getting away from you, you could baste the stages together as you go along.
Now sew the layers together, using a ½in (1.25cm) seam allowance and a matching thread colour. Don’t forget to backstitch at the beginning and end of your seam. Using a walking foot for this step helps to keep the layers from shifting around, especially if you’re using a slippery fabric.
Pull the large piece of fabric out of the middle of your roll – your cuff should turn itself the right way out as you do this. Press the cuff flat and topstitch along the cuff a little way away from the seam if desired.
Fold the fabric short side to short side. This project uses French seams to conceal the raw edges, so fold your fabric wrong sides together to begin with. Sew along the long side and the bottom edge with a ¼ in (0.75cm) seam allowance, backstitching at the beginning and end of the seam. Don’t sew the cuff end together!
Trim the corner off your seam allowance with sharp scissors. Careful not to cut through your stitches! Also trim the rest of the seam allowance down to 1/8 in (a little less than 0.5cm).
If using a label, baste it on 1in (2.5cm) away from the trim on the main part of the pillowcase.
Turn the pillowcase inside out and press – you may need to roll the fabric between your fingers so that the seam is right on the outside.
Sew the seams again with a ¼ in (0.75cm) seam allowance – you can use a slightly larger seam allowance if necessary in order to encase the original seam. Again, backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam.
Turn the pillowcase the right way out and push the corners out neatly. All done!
Seamstress: Emma Lorenz
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