Pillowcase Tutorial

Completed Back to School Pillowcase

     Now that my grandson is a year old I have decided to make him pillowcases for every holiday.  I have several sets for myself and they are so fun to do.  Here is my method.

     You will need three coordinating fabrics.  The main body is cut 17" by the WOM (width of material), the band is cut 10 by the WOM and the accent strip is cut 2" by the WOM.  Fold the accent strip in half lengthwise with wrong sides together and press.

     If you want to do embroidery on the band, place it in the upper left hand section of the band with the top facing the cut edge.  Place the accent strip on top of the band with the raw edges even at the top.

Accent strip pinned to band

Detail of accent strip and band

     Pin in place,  Then lay the main body fabric on top again with raw edges even at the top.  Pin in place.  now roll the main body fabric into a tube.

Main body fabric on top of accent strip and band

Main body fabric rolled up

     Bring the bottom edge of the band up and over the rolled fabric, aligning raw edges and ends.  Pin in place.  I also used some Wonder Clips for this step as you now have five layers of fabric.

Band fabric pulled up over rolled fabric

Ready for the first stitching

     Once you have everything pinned securely take it to your sewing machine.  Sew the raw edges together with a 1/2" SA (seam allowance).

1/2 inch seam allowance

     After sewing the seam, press the stitches.

Pressing the stitches flat

     Now comes what I call the magic part.  Reach in and grab the main body fabric and slowly pull it out through the side.  Once you have all the fabric pulled out it is time to press again.

Startin the pull through process

Halfway done

     With the wrong side of the pillowcase facing up, carefully press the seam towards the band fabric.

Pressing from the back

     

     After pressing from the back, flip the pillowcase over and now press from the front.  The accent strip will face towards the body of the pillow and the seam allowances will be facing towards the band.  As you press the seam you my now also press the bottom to get a nice crisp hem.

Ready to press from the front

Pressing front, including the hem

     After pressing the pillowcase, fold in half approximately bringing the long end of the body fabric to the hem.  The sides are probably not even at this time because not all fabrics are the same width.  Trim both sides even, cutting off the selvedge edges.

Trimming sides

Trimming sides

     Open up the pillowcase and place wrong sides together matching the accent strip and hem.  Pin the two sides with the raw edges.

Wrong sides together

Matching hesa and accent strip

     Take to the sewing machine and sew with 1/4" SA.  Trim corners and press stitches flat.

Sewing 1/4 inch seam allowance

clipping corners

Pressing stitches flat

     To get nice flat seams for the next step I place the pillowcase over my presser/clapper and press the seams open.

Pressing seams open

     Turn the pillowcase inside out and press the seams flat, making sure that the seam is at the edge.

Pressing edge

     Stitch this seam with a 3/8" SA.  Again press the stitches after sewing and then turn right side out.  Use a point turner to help help crisp corners.

Sewing 3/8 inch seam allowance

Point turner

     Press one final time and you now have a pillowcase with no raw edges anywhere.

Embroidery detail

Valentine pillowcase