How to Make a Standard Pillowcase

My sewing skills are very less, but this sewing pattern is all in straight lines, so it is a super easy task. All you need is about a yard of fabric for making a pillow case. I was thinking about this project because I was shifting gears to the master bedroom, with a few projects and this is one of them, starting with the sewing of some pillow cases. This project is a great task for the beginners who are interested in learning how to sew some simple things. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes to complete a task. I know it is weird, but to oblige your kids you should use the fabric of good attractive color and prints also.

Materials you need

  • 1 to 2 yards of fabric or cloth.
  • Iron.
  • Thread.
  • Sewing machine.
  • Straight pins.
  • Scissors.

Instructions

These are the measurements of a simple size pillow case. On the other hand, if you want to make alterations in its size to make a king size or a queen size of it, you can easily do that. Adjustments will be minor, and the measurements will differ to a small extent.

Follow these steps

Pick out the fabric or cloth

  • For making the pillowcases the fabric you should use should be comfortable against the skin, like soft satin, cotton, flannel, or a jersey knit fabric.
  • Pick the fabric that matches the color scheme of your bedroom, your bed covers and sheet spreads.
  • To make a pair of identical pillowcases, you will need 2 yards of 1.8 m of fabric.
  • You should use a washable fabric, if you want to sleep on pillowcases.
  • To fill in the purpose of making decorative pillowcases, choose the fabric which is not soft and is easy to wash.
  • You should choose any type of fabric, that should complement the color scheme of your bedroom.

Cutting the fabric

  • Use a scissors or rotatory cutter to cut out the piece; 45 inches in length and 36 inches in width for making a pillowcase.
  • You should take care of fabric while cutting that print should be straight, if you are using a patterned fabric or printed fabric.

Folding of fabric in two equal halves 

  • With its finished sides, fold it lengthwise or the right sides of the fabric together.
  • You should be careful that the unfinished sides or the wrong sides should be facing outside.

Stitch the one short  side and long side 

  • Use a threaded needle or sewing machine to sew a straight stitch up the long side of a fabric.
  • Continue stitching one of the short sides, and turn the fabric.
  • Turn the fabric right side out, when you are finished with your task.
  • To add a little flair and attraction in your pillow, you may use a same color of thread that matches with your fabric or you may also opt for the thread of some other contrast color.
  • On the other hand if you are stitching the pillow with your hand, make sure that the seam should be completely straight.
  • You can also pin up your fabric with the straight pins, if necessary, to help and guide yourself.

Open sides should be hemmed

  • Start by folding the fabric back for the creation of 1.5 hem.
  • To create the crease iron the fabric.
  • You should create a 3 inch hem this time, fold the fabric again to back side.
  • Now use your sewing machine or a needle and thread to stitch around the base of the hem because you have it keep it in a place.
  • Iron the fabric again.
  • You can also add the decorative laces, ribbons and other decorations when the pillowcase is finished.

For decorative pillowcase follow these steps

Picking out the fabric

  • For sewing the decorative pillowcase , you need three different fabrics of different colors.
  • For making the main section of pillow case, and a second fabric for the hem around the open side, and a third accent side.
  • You should take three different prints with same color or three solid colors fabric.
  • The fabrics should not match exactly but it will be helpful if they share one or two colors.
  • The attractive prints and colors of pillowcases makes excellent gifts.

Cutting the fabric

  • Use scissors for cutting the fabric of a right size.
  • Cut the main piece of fabric to 26 inch and 44 inch.
  • Cut the second piece of fabric to 12 inch and 44 inch.
  • Cut the last piece of fabric to 2 inch and 44 inch.

Iron the fabric

  • Use the iron to remove the wrinkles, for preparing the fabric for sewing.
  • Iron the large and medium piece to flat.
  • Fold the trim in half in lengthwise with wrong sides together and iron it.

Spread the fabric

  • Medium piece of fabric should be placed right side up on your work place.
  • With the edge of medium fabric, line up the trim fabric so that the raw edges are at the outside and folded side is on inside.
  • Lay the large piece of fabric on the medium and trim fabric, right side down.
  • All the layers of fabric should be aligned along the top edge.
  • The edges of fabric layers should be pinned up to hold them in place.
  • Continue rolling few inches of the pinned edge.
  • Fold the medium size fabric over the roll, and align it on the pinned edge.
  • Sew straight stitch along the pinned edge of the fabric.
  • Remove the pins as you stitch.
  • Pull the medium fabric, and reverse it.
  • Wrong sides should be facing out.
  • Leave the hemmed side open
  • Turn the pillow case right side out.

Conclusion

So, now when you know how to make a standard pillowcase, you can do it yourself without wasting your time and money to find a tailor for the purpose. You can always play with the color scheme and design, if you know the basic method.