Crafty Chic: Pillowcases

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Custom Pillowcases
By Kathleen Gordon-Ross, associate editor

When my sister Suzanne went off to the University of Missouri-Columbia, as a college freshmen, I decided I had to do something fun for her dorm room. My mom suggested I make her some holiday pillowcases to liven up her dorm. I went to my favorite fabric shop and found four to five different Halloween fabrics on their remnant rack for a steal!!

Using a pillowcase from my linen closet as a pattern, I made three different pillowcases for her. To my surprise, she loved them as did the other girls on her floor! And a request for more was made. Now two years later she has a complete holiday set, but her favorites are still her original creepy Halloween pillowcases.

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY	Beginner, basic sewing knowledge a plus
PREP TIME	One hour
EXPENSES	$6-8/pillowcase if fabric isn't purchased on sale. Most of the pillowcases shown here cost less than $2 because the fabric was purchased on clearance.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

• Fabric
• Scissors or Rotary Cutter
• Ruler
• Sewing Machine
• Iron
• Needle and Thread

Fabric:

• 3/4 yard main fabric (shamrocks)
• 1/3 yard contrast fabric (green)
• 2” x 44” trim (red)

STEP BY STEP

Fabric Preparation:

(1) Trim fabrics to the following sizes:

Main Fabric – 27”x width of fabric”

Contrast Fabric – 11”x width of fabric”

Trim Fabric – 2” x width of fabric”

(2) Finger Press or Iron trim fabric in a half. Your finished piece should be 1”x width of fabric.”

Sewing the Trim and Contrast fabric to the Main Pillowcase Fabric

(3) Spread the main fabric out on your work surface, right side up, with one 27” edge lined up toward your tummy. Place trim along the right hand 44” edge of your main fabric. All raw edges should line up and face out. Layer your contrast fabric next, matching right sides of the fabric together. Pin in place every 4-6.” Be sure to pin through all three fabrics.

(4) Using a standard sewing machine (or Serger) sew all three fabrics together using a 1/4" seam allowance.

(5) Spread out fabric so all right sides are facing up. Lightly iron, pressing your seam toward the contrast fabric

(6) Your pillowcase needs to be at least 42” wide. Since fabric bolts tend to vary in width (anywhere from 43” to 45” wide) you will probably have some length differences at the end of your seam. Simply trim to the shortest piece so they are the same length. Make sure you have at least 42” of material so the case can go around your pillow.

Sewing body of pillowcase.
The body of the pillowcase has two seams (see diagram 7b). In an effort to make the seams stronger and less likely to pull apart, we use French seams for this pillow case.

(7). Fold your fabric right sides out (see diagram 7a). The fold should be toward your tummy with the contrast fabric on the right. Match raw edges and seams. Pin every 6-8 inches along seam lines (see diagram 7b) so fabric doesn’t shift.

Diagram 7a

Diagram 7b

(8) To sew a French seam along the left and top edges of your pillowcase, first sew a scant 1/4” seam with the right sides of the fabric facing out.

(9) Turn the pillowcase so your new seam is now on the inside of the pillowcase and the right sides of the fabric are facing each other. Push the seam all the way to the outside and pin every 6-8”. You may find it helpful to iron your seam flat.

(10) To complete the French seam, enclose the first seam with a generous 1/4” seam.

Completed French Seam

(11) Turn pillowcase right sides out, press seams with warm iron. Once ironed, turn pillowcase inside out again so we can finish the pillowcase opening.

(12) Turn the raw edge of the contrasting fabric (or pillowcase opening) toward the wrong side, 1/2” and press. Make sure the iron is hot enough to create a crisp crease.

(13) Keeping the pillowcase turned inside out, fold the pillowcase opening in half bringing the lining the newly pressed edge over the seam. Line the newly pressed edge up with the line of stitching. Using a blind running stitch sew the two edges together.

(14) Turn right side out and press.

The Finished Product

Fabric Selection:

These fun pillowcases lend themselves to every kind of fabric design! Because of how much they will get used and washed over the years, we suggest you purchase good 100% cotton fabrics that feel good. Flannel also makes a great fabric choice for pillowcases.

Because these pillowcases don’t call for a large amount of fabrics, look for remnants or purchase your fabrics after the holiday has past when you can get it at a great discount. Also look to your box of scrap fabrics for colors and textures that would work well as the trim or contrast fabrics.

Fabric designs usually come in three different forms -- solid, overall and directional patterns. If you fall in love with a fabric pattern that runs right to left, you’ll need to alter the pattern slightly if you don’t want your fabric design to be upside down on the back of your pillowcase. For an example of a directional fabric see the pictures of the finished pillowcases - the Halloween fabric with the pumpkins and the Easter fabric with the chicks and tulips are both examples of a directional fabric.

Get Creative!
You’re not limited to just holiday fabrics for this project. Make a pillowcase to match a quilt you just made for your child’s bed, or use fabric with your child’s current favorite character (Pooh, Mickey, Blue’s Clues). This is an easy and cost- effective way to bring in your child’s favorite characters, colors and designs without completely redoing the whole bed.

Trim, Trim, Trim
In addition to fabric, you can also use:
• Large or small rickrack
• Colorful cording
• Fringe
• Braid
• Ribbon

Personalize it!
Personalize the contrast fabric with your child’s name or initials. Use iron-on letters, monogram or alphabet stitch on your sewing machine and fabric paints are just a few of the many options out there that can be used to add yet another touch of personalization to these uniquely personal pillowcases.

No Sew option!
If you’re not a sewer but still want to have fun pillowcases for your family to use try fabric paint! Use stencils, stamps in your favorite designs to decorate and personalize pillowcases for the holidays.

A Fun Family Tradition:
“About five years ago I found a great deal on Halloween fabric. There were lots of patterns to choose from for only a dollar a yard. I bought enough to make five pillowcases (5 yards). I used one of our existing pillowcases as a pattern. Within a short amount of time we had simple Halloween pillowcases for every bed in the house. The kids and my husband loved them and wanted more. I have since looked for good deals on holiday/seasonal fabrics to complete our collection. My children enjoy the first of each month when I change out the old pillowcases for the new. Because of their enjoyment I made sets for each of my nieces and nephews for Christmas a few years ago.

This has been a cheap and easy way to form a tradition, decorate and enjoy each holiday or season of the year. I am looking forward to completing our collection so we will have one for every month.”

Lisa James, St. Johns Salem Ward

Lisa also has a special Birthday pillowcase for the Birthday of the month and has plans to add Back to School and Summer pillowcases to her collection.

Great for College Students and Missionaries:
A few years ago a ward in our stake got together to make fun Christmas pillowcases for the girls who had just gone off to college from their ward. Dorm rooms and college/mission apartments can always use a splash of color and these pillowcases are perfect for doing just that. Students and missionaries are always looking for fun and kinda crazy ways to decorate for the holidays. Plus, if your student or missionary is far away, you'll have to mail them the pillowcase(s) and I know they wouldn't object to a package!