Pillowcases for Miles

New Years, Valentines and Mardi Gras

     Number three grandchild turns one in a couple of weeks.  For their first birthdays I make a year of pillowcases.  I have so much fun picking out the fabrics each time.  I do shop my stash first and then head to the quilt stores.

St Patrick's, Easter and summer

     For these pillowcases I shopped as I was headed to my annual quilting retreat last year.  I already knew the sex of the baby to be so I was able to pick out fabrics more gender specific.  I know not too PC but I don't care.  The two shops I always go to are Patched Works in Elm Grove, WI and Mill House Quilts in Waunakee, WI.

Fourth of July, baseball and football

     The band of the pillowcase is 10 inches  I embroider the name in the upper left quadrant with the bottom of the lettering facing the center of the fabric.  The accent strip is 2 inches, pressed in half.  The main body of the pillowcase is 27 inches.  These are cut across the width of the fabric.

Back to School, Halloween and birthday

     To sew them, I place the band piece right side up on the table.  Then I place the accent strip along the top edge with raw edges even.  Next the  main fabric gets placed on top, again with raw edges even and right side down.  At each step I pin the pieces.  Then I roll the main fabric into a tube and bring the bottom edge of the band up to meet the top edge of the band.  All the fabric is now inside this 'hotdog' bun.  I pin it all and then sew with a 1/2" seam allowance.  Press, turn by pulling the fabric out from one end.  Press again and then trim to make the sides even as not all fabrics are the same width.

Thanksgiving, Christmas and one to match his first quilt

     Then with wrong side together I sew with a narrow 1/8" seam allowance.  Press and turn and now with right sides together, sew with a 1/2" seam allowance.  Press and turn again.  One final pressing and you now have a fun pillowcase with no raw edges anywhere.  Happy Birthday Baby Miles