Monthly Project for June, 2004
Suggested Fabrics
Simple Pillowcase
A simple pillowcase is easy to make. This is a great project for Teens. Pillowcases can spruce up a bedroom with little effort or money.
Why We Like This Project
This is a quick and easy project, that can be created by Teen or beginners. Pillowcases can help give a bedroom an instant pop, a splash of color, or a fun novelty. Kids love to sleep with their favorite character, and this way they can have the neat stuff in their bedroom without redoing the whole room. You can whip up a pair and proudly display them on top of the bed. With nice pillowcases you don't need to hide them under the covers.
Why We Like Sewing With Flannel
We made our pillowcases using our Tie-Dye inspired flannel. It's a luxurious comfort fabric, just like mashed potatoes are comfort food. Flannel is a nice soft fabric to sleep on, so it's really nice for pillowcases. Since it resists sliding around, it's easy to sew. And the results are always rewarding.
Materials Needed
- 45" Wide Fabric, pre-washed
- Thread
Cutting and Assembly
- First measure fabric required. Fabric that is 44/45" wide is a great width to use for pillowcases since you can simply fold it in half to get the standard width of most pillowcases, regardless of size (twin, king, etc). So all you really need to worry about is the length. Measure your favorite pillowcase to find the finished length of your pillowcase. We found that twin pillowcases tend to be 29 inches long, and king pillowcases tend to be 40.5 inches long. All tend to have a four inch cuff.
Take the desired finished length of the pillowcase and add 5-1/2 inches for cuff and seams.
Examples
- King: Finished length 40.5" + 5.5 " = 46 inches. (2-1/2 yds for 2 King Pillowcases)
- Twin: Finished length 29" + 5.5" = 34.5". (1 yd for 1 Twin Pillowcase)
- Make sure pillowcase has square straight edges. This will keep the pillowcase from twisting and rolling. Fold lengthwise, matching selvage edges. Use known squared edges to make sure each side is straight. Use a quilting grid, floor tiles, measuring stick, even a piece of cardboard. Trim edges straight if needed. The selvage edge of the fabric is the length. The edges without the selvage edge are the sides. Open fabric and start with one of the edges with Step 1.
- With wrong sides together, fold over and press a narrow seam (5/8 inches), along one side (either side without the selvage). Stitch or baste.
- Fold and press four inches, wrong sides together, along the same side. Stitch. You should now have a four inch cuff with no raw edges on one side of your pillowcase.
- With right sides together, fold lengthwise, matching up selvage edges. Pin selvages edges together and press flat. Makes sure cuff seams are lined up.
- Stitch along selvage edge. Use 5/8" seam allowance. Be sure that stitches are past selvage edge so that the edge does not show when turned right side out. Some fabric has no printing or dye in the selvage, and may show other signs of manufacture. You want to hide the entire selvage edge in your seem.
- Stitch along bottom edge using a 5/8 inch seam allowance.
- Trim loose threads. Trim the seam along the the cuff.
- Turn right side out, insert pillow, and head for the bed. You're finished.