Friday, February 8, 2013

Pillowcase - a tutorial

(Updated to add youtube)

Recently I wanted to make a fun pillowcase for my therapists little daughter.  I searched online and even printed a pillowcase pattern.  But I remembered my sister-in-love made pillowcases she said were very easy.  So yesterday I was reunited with my sewing machine after a 10 week separation.

And as it turned out, this pillowcase pattern was SO quick and easy to put together.

Materials needed for a standard size pillowcase:

 1/4 yard for top of pillowcase
2 1/2" strip for accent piece
3/4 yard for main body of pillowcase

Begin with 1/4 yard piece (cuff) with right side of fabric facing up.
Press the 2 1/2" accent piece lengthwise with WRONG sides together.

 Place on top of 1/4" Cuff, lining up raw edges on top.  Pin

Press the 3/4 yard fabric and place on top of other pieces with WRONG side facing up. Pin the three layers of fabric in place, making sure raw edges are lined up on the top.

Now for the magic -- Roll the length of the 3/4 yard piece up towards the top raw edges.

Pick up and fold the 1/4 yard piece (Cuff) over the rolled fabric.  Pin in place lining up with raw edges.  (the wrong side of this fabric should be facing you)




Machine stitch all pieces along the top raw edges using 1/4" seam allowance.  Backstitch this seam.


 Grab the roll from the inside and turn the entire roll.  You should now have the pillowcase cuff in place with no exposed seams.  Press the sewn edges well.


This is what it should look like at this point.

Fold pillowcase in half (WRONG sides together) with the pillowcase cuff edges together, lined up at the seam.  Stitch side and bottom using 1/4" seam allowance.


Turn inside out with the RIGHT sides together.  Press seams.


Stitch the seams again, but this time using a 1/2" seam allowance.  Backstitch.


Turn and press.


Wha-la!!  You now have a completed pillowcase.

And here are the pillowcases I worked on.

  
 This pattern was much easier then some I found online.  Making this tutorial is a great way for me to remember the steps.  Let me know if you try it.

UPDATE:  I am adding a youtube by Missouri Quilt Company.  Please note that my pillowcase has the french seam finish.




23 comments:

Vicki Boster said...

Oh my- I LOVE your pillowcases!! I could not do that in a million years-- these are so perfect for children--- just lovely!!

Beautiful- beautiful--
Vicki

tubilinha tiacarminha said...

Foi uma luta encontrar este modo de fazer,é tão mais fácilagora.Obrigada.

Susan said...

I made special pillow cases for my grands a couple of Christmases ago; you inspire me to make them ones to go in their Easter baskets! Great tutorial and I love the fabrics you chose. XOXO

Cindy said...

Such pretty pillowcases. I make my pillowcases this way too - fast, easy and so cute.

Deborah said...

Your pillowcases are adorable! I use this same pattern and your tutorial makes the very clear!

Heidi Staples said...

So cute! I really need to try making pillowcases one day soon!

Anonymous said...

I made pillowcases today too!!

regan said...

Yours is the method I've used before.....and yeah, it is so perfect and easy! I love making them. My friend is involved in a Teen Reach-Out program, and we've made pillowcases for them for a couple of years now. It's so fun using fabrics that I would never imagine having in my stash.....like graphic zig-zags in black and white, and sharks, and big dots with peace signs! It's so fun to shop for those fabrics when I'm so used to nothing but repros! lol

Loris said...

Great tutorial! I'm so glad to hear you are reunited with your sewing machine. Hope the wrist feels good again.

sew.darn.quilt said...

I love this technique, I saw it on YouTube and thought naw, it's not going to work but low and behold! It works and it's sew easy! Your cases are so sweet!

Allison said...

10 weeks without a machine? yikes! so glad you have it back now! those are some fun pillowcases :)

Kathy H said...

that is the pillowcase pattern i use too and it is great. I have made my little trim piece 1 and1/2 inches now which looks nicer on mine after they are washed. I love this pattern and have made several hundred now for family, friends and charity. Your directions were very clear which I would have liked to have when I first started making them.

Kindred Quilts said...

Thanks for the "pictorial" on making pillow cases using this technique! I've use it before and it is truly one of the easiest and quickest methods! Your pictures and directions are spot on... and a good reminder that I need to make more for my grandchildren!

Bumpkin Hill said...

What a great tutorial. So glad to have visited, Catherine x

Allie said...

Woohoo, look at you sewing - yay girl!!!!! I've used this method myself and it's very quick, but I do tend to forget the steps, lol. Great idea to have it written down with pics. They turned out just darling!

Lori said...

Woohoo. This is wonderful. Thanks for the tutorial. Your pillow cases are adorale.

Amy Hill said...

Very cool! Found you on Marcia's Linky party, I will definitely be doing this! Thanks so much!

P.S. I am now following your blog as well :)

Denise :) said...

GREAT tutorial ... and I just happen to need this knowledge, so your timing couldn't be more perfect (for me, anyway)! Thanks for sharing, Jocelyn!! :)

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Connie Kresin Campbell said...

Beautiful pillowcases and a wonderful tutorial! They always make nice gifts! Thanks for sharing.
Freemotion by the River Linky Party Tuesday

Angie G. said...

Beautiful pillow cases. I am your newest GFC follower, and found you via 'Freedom By The River Blog Hop'. Have a great day!
Angie G.
http://mycraftycollections.blogspot.com/

Meggie said...

Your post made me think about my mother...she made pillowcases for the grandchildren. Now it is my turn, as a grandmother, to make some. It will be perfect for an Easter gift!!

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

Yea! You are sewing again! I've not made any pillowcases, but, we're going to at one of my guilds in a few months.