How to make a pillowcase

I love to make holiday pillowcases for my grandkids. They absolutely adore having a special pillowcase during each holiday period. If you want to make your kids or grandkids feel extra special each night they lay their head down to go to sleep, then you need to learn how to make a pillowcase! They are so, so easy and fast to make. This fits a standard size pillow.

Supplies needed:

Cut out your fabric:

Fold your fabric in half and square up one end. Cut it 20 1/2″ wide with the fold. (this is actually 41″ if unfolded) x 29″ long.

Cut your contrasting fabric for the cuff on the end. Cut it 9″ wide x 41″ long. This will be called the cuff.

Sewing:

Fold the cuff piece in half lengthwise with wrong sides together, then sew to the case. Unfold the case and sew the cuff on the 41″ side. Sew to the right side of the case. If you prefer to put piping in, instead of rick rack, this would be the time to insert it into this seam before sewing.

I used my serger for this so the seam would be finished. Press out.

At this point, you are ready to add an embellishment on the outside. I added a green rick rack. Sew it down on the outside right over the seam. It is like topstitching it down.

Now fold right sides together.

Serge or sew the end closed, then proceed to serge the long side that is opposite of the fold.

You will have a tail of thread left on the cuff end of the pillow and on the inside corner. To finish that off so that it holds good, take a large eyed needle and thread the tail back into the serged seam.

If you prefer, or if you don’t have a serger, you can make a french seam. For a french seam, you will sew a 3/8″ seam with wrong sides together. Trim down to 1/8″. Then turn and press. Put right sides together and sew a 1/4″ seam. This will enclose the seam.

Voila, you are done!