Released June 30, 2009
by Julie MuellerNeeded in a hurry: One quick gift ;0)
Materials: One yard of fabric and thread
Time: Less than half an hour
Result: Spectacular!
My sister Jennifer is the pillowcase queen. She makes pillowcases for every single person she knows or meets. At work, her staff all received birthday, Christmas and springtime pillowcases. All her friends and family have a beautiful collection of pillowcases for every season and reason.
For a long time she made them out of satin but then her supplier changed manufacturers and she doesn’t like the new satin (bonus tip: a satin pillowcase will protect your hair from getting tangled at night).
Now she’s discovered quilting fabrics and is making some really beautiful cotton pillowcases. My sister doesn’t really have time to sew; she has 5 kids, home schools a few of them, is active in her church and works full time. But she loves to sew whenever she can. Pillowcases are a perfect panacea for her sewing addiction.
If you’d like to start your own pillowcase addiction, here are some tips and techniques to get you going. Let’s start with the fabric selection:
1. Pillowcases do not have to match the bed linens, each other or anything else in the room so don’t feel constrained by color or pattern.
2. Fabrics must be machine washable in hot water.
3. There are hundreds of choices in fabrics. My dog Jack has dog themed fabrics, my cousin sewed some fish themed fabrics for her husband, and last Christmas I sewed a skull and candy cane pillowcase for my daughter. There are Halloween fabrics, Christmas fabrics, political fabrics, baby fabrics and so on. All make good choices for pillowcase gifts.
4. If you plan to embroider, be aware that your message (Sweet Dreams, Good Night, Best Friends, King and Queen or a personal name) may get lost in the pattern of the fabric unless you go bold with your embroidery font and color.
5. You will need exactly one yard of fabric for a standard bed pillow.
The size of the pillowcase is a personal choice. I like big roomy pillowcases that are easy to slip on and off. My sister likes tighter pillowcases that are the same size as manufactured pillowcases. Here is a breakdown of finished pillowcase sizes. This article will help you make a standard pillowcase, if you want to make a different size be sure to add hem and seam allowances to your measurements and yardage calculations:
Standard: 20” x 26” that seems a bit narrow to me so I use the full width of the fabric (finished size is usually 22.5″).
Queen: 20” x 30”.
King: 20” x 36”.
European Square: 26” x 26”.
Travel: 12” x 16”.
How to make the pillowcase:
1. With right sides together press the bottom edge up 1/2″ and again 1/2″ and sew. That will leave a nice clean bottom edge.
2. Cut or tear off the selvage of the fabric (if you leave it on, it can distort the final project).
3. Continuing with with right sides together, press the side edge over twice as in step 1 and sew. Press the seam flat.
4. On the open edge, turn under 1/4″ and press. Then, using a ruler or sewing guide, fold down 4” for the hem. Press and stitch.
5. Turn the pillowcase to the right side and press again. Done.
Now you noticed that we turned down a 4” hem and, as luck would have it, it’s the exact size of our smaller embroidery hoop. Let’s get ready to personalize this quick and easy gift.
1. Fold pillowcase in half and mark center using a pin or chalk.
2. Select your thread. Now is a good chance to try some new threads such as glow in the dark, solar, variegated or metallic (you’ll love the look in your kid’s eyes when they first experience glow in the dark thread).
3. Choose a design. Choose a font. That’s the hard part since there are so many choices.
4. Hoop and GO!
Yes, you can buy a set of pillowcases from the store for under $10 but where’s the fun in that?
What a terrific article. You know I used to make my own a long time ago and in all different colors as well. Thank you for reminding me. They are easy and fun to make. What a great thought as a gift. All kinds of different trim or whatever you like. Plain or fancy.
Comment by Ann Salem — June 30, 2009 @ 3:35 pm
My mum works in a linens store and still loves making her own pillowcases for gifts. I did a pillowcase swap on another yahoo site and had the best time maaking and getiing them.
Great gift idea.
Comment by Janette — June 30, 2009 @ 4:28 pm
If you are making the pillowcase”from scratch” I’d suggest stitching the design on before hemming. That way the back of the stitching is covered and you have more room on the fabric to hoop. Monograms are suggested to be above the hems, and trust me, I’ve done dozens, but If you can hide the back it is much better to place on the hem. Try using glow in the dark thread for a really neat effect!
Comment by gramnan — June 30, 2009 @ 4:46 pm
Thanks for a great idea! i’m going to start this for wedding and Christmas gifts this year, right now. I really like the idea of pet themed ones too. I can make gifts for my friends pets with their names on them. Thanks!
Comment by Sharon Boone — June 30, 2009 @ 5:09 pm
I have been wanting to make pillowcases for my grand daughter and son. I had no idea on the measurments or how to’s to get started. Now I do, thank you for the instructions on how to do this. Can’t wait to get started. I love this Newsletter.
Kathy (IN0
Comment by Kathleen — June 30, 2009 @ 5:10 pm
This is so great! Thank you! I also happened to come across a YouTube video called “Nifty Trick for Sewing a Pillowcase”
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YETWa5vtcjo&feature=related
I do so appreciate everyone’s articles on DBS and look forward to learning a lot from each one.
Comment by Julie — June 30, 2009 @ 5:42 pm
I use a serger on all my edges. I also use a coordinated fabric for the open end of my cases. Also put a short strip in between the outer folded area and the case itself. I got so I could make a case in about 20 mins from start to finish. I know there is a way to make a case so that none of your edges are open on your 4 inch piece but I don’t know how to do it. Some fancy turning. I made cases one xmas while I was embroidering some 4 inch squares that took about 2 1/2 hours to do each one and I ended up with a wall hanging of the night before xmas plus 20 pillowcases to give family and friends. Made good use of my time.
Comment by Jac — June 30, 2009 @ 6:54 pm
Thank you
Comment by Audrey — June 30, 2009 @ 7:31 pm
You did a great job explaining the process…and makikng it all sound so fun!!! Thanks…Candy from Iowa
Comment by Candy — June 30, 2009 @ 7:33 pm
Thanks for easy instructions to do and I think LOL that I can find fabric in house for a few.
Connie
Comment by Connie — June 30, 2009 @ 8:07 pm
I prefer to do the embroidery before stitching the 4″ hem, that way the back of the design is not seen.
Comment by kk — June 30, 2009 @ 9:10 pm
I was just looking for directions for a pillowcase! I love making them, and could not recall the sizes, so this was right on cue! Your directions are easy to follow! I would love to see photos of pillow cases you have made.
Linda P
Comment by Linda P — June 30, 2009 @ 11:25 pm
I too make pillowcases and love adding Big Sister or big brother when a sibling is born and that way the older sibling is not left out and it is only for them.
Comment by Rene — June 30, 2009 @ 11:59 pm
Brilliant
Comment by lily — July 1, 2009 @ 1:58 am
Thanks for this.. I made some that was a lot more work than this one… and no emb.. so this fits the bill to a ……..T…….
fast and easy and pretty too..
Comment by sjwnana — July 1, 2009 @ 5:42 am
I REALLY LIKE YOUR IDEA BUT YOU DONT TELL WHAT WIDTH OF MATERIAL TO USE AND THE CUTTING INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE SIZE YOU WANT. IT STARTS OUT BY SAYING WITH RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER–DO YOU CUT YOUR MATERIAL IN HALF FIRST-PLEASE GIVE ALL INSTRUCTIONS.
THANKS
Comment by LINDA — July 1, 2009 @ 6:46 am
I’ve just begun making pillow cases and this is a much easier way to do them. Thanks for the wonderful article.
Comment by Donna Gatlin — July 1, 2009 @ 7:17 am
What a terrific idea! I would probaly buy the pillowcases then add the embroidery to save more time.Today’s embroidery designs offer so many hand-made look designs, such as quilting and applique.With the pillowcase you can have a gift for every occassion! thanks sew much, Sandra
Comment by sandra — July 1, 2009 @ 7:35 am
Fantastic article and great instructions. Think I’ll rev up the machine and whip out a set of pillowcases. Thanks for reminding me of how much fun it can be.
Comment by Toni — July 1, 2009 @ 7:45 am
Here are instructions for a pillowcase that may help some of you: http://www.longarmohio.com/pattern1pillowcase.html Pillowcases are fun and easy to make!
Comment by ScrapperG — July 1, 2009 @ 9:09 am
I made 44 pillowcases with Attached Butterflies only on the body of them, they look like flying.
I alwas make my own pillow cases and I put coordinating fabric for the top or sleeve of the case, I don’t know how to call it, but they look wonderful, since I bought my enbroidering machine 4 yrs ago I always finde something to do to give away on Christmas and birthdays.
In stich chat there are lots of my projectcs.
Comment by Acelia Gil — July 1, 2009 @ 9:52 am
Thanks for the sizing I did not have that information, and had been considering doing some. Great article.
Comment by shirleysonshine — July 1, 2009 @ 10:20 am
I made pillowcases for all of my grandkids and great grandkids they love them and what a wonderful memory for them. Plan on enpanding this for children in need for my local center. It,s a special gift.
Comment by Lorie — July 1, 2009 @ 10:23 am
Julie, great article! I gave my daughters’ friends cases and you’d think I had invited sliced bread! I did a couple of things a little different though. (For Linda, 44-45″ fabric folded in half with the selvage side as the long edge of the case) I cut the case 3 1/2″ shorter and then cut a piece 10″ wide out of contrasting or matching plain fabric. This is the piece where I embroidered their names and favorite critters or flowers. I centered designs on one half with the cut edge as the top so when it is attached to the case you read the name from the opening side. After the embroidery, trim the stabilizer, iron the strip in half so it is 5″ wide and then iron under 1/2 seam on the edge that is not embroidered and attach that strip on the side the is embroidered to the case. Then I sew the short edge and long edge of the case all the way to the end of extra strip (since I don’t have a serger, I french seam the edges). Then bring the ironed 1/2″ edge and match it to where the strip was attached to the case and run a seam (hem). I usually also reiron the embroidered strip and topstitch the folded outer edge to keep it flat since the embroidery sometimes makes the strip a little puffy if there is lots of designs. It takes a few extra minutes, but I like being able to have my embroidery work seen!
Comment by Beedragonlady — July 1, 2009 @ 11:50 am
LINDA with the all caps!
I use the full width of the fabric. Buy one yard. Fold it in half. Sew up the bottom. Sew up the side. Turn under a hem. Embroider. Prestissimo, you’re done! Faster using a serger, nicer embroidering before you turn up the hem. They are truly a quick and easy project that everyone will love.
Comment by julie — July 1, 2009 @ 12:49 pm
Thank you so much Judy for the great how-to article. I appreciate your taking the time to get the measurements together. At this time all of my pillow cases are just too tight. When I can use my arm again, I will sew up some new pillow cases that will be wider. Barbara Klink in Saint Louis
Comment by Barbara Klink — July 1, 2009 @ 1:15 pm
Thank you Julie. Barbara Klink in Saint Louis
Comment by Barbara Klink — July 1, 2009 @ 1:16 pm
Really, really love this project. I’m gonna start on some next week. This will be a big help in learning more about machine embroidery since I’m a newbie at it. Thank you!!!
Comment by Candi Amsler — July 1, 2009 @ 5:19 pm
I love this info on the Pillow Cases.
I hope their will be more thing like this.
We need some how to project.
Thanks so much.
Bev in Ohio
Comment by Bev Stull — July 2, 2009 @ 12:08 am
Great article. Saving that one for future reference. Make some great Xmas gifts.
Also they make a great fundraiser item, for say cancer relay. Make magic pillowcases add a nice little ‘magic’ verse.. cheers Jolene
Comment by Jolene — July 2, 2009 @ 7:20 am
I love giving pillow cases for gifts! All of my 5 children AND their friends and mine, have them, teen age boys included! Everyone looks forward to getting there new design. Favorite colors, animals, anything you can think of. I do like the narrower cut, I take my YARD of fabric and cut the width to about 20″, I use a serger to hem. It seems to fit snug and won’t slip off. Either way you’ll love the results!
Thanks Julie, you taught me everything I know about sewing!
Comment by Jennifer (pillow case queen) — July 6, 2009 @ 2:12 pm