"She used to say she could taste sleep and that it was as delicious as a BLT on fresh French bread." I love that quote. It's from Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells. I'm a good sleeper, and I firmly believe there's nothing better than nodding off on a new, freshly laundered pillowcase. Our pretty pair of pillowcases is a great beginner project. So fast and easy, you can start at noon and be napping by 3:00.

These pillowcases follow directions very similar to the holiday versions for adults and kids, which debuted last December, as well as a Mother's Day version in luxurious satin.

All of our Fresh Linens projects started out with pre-cuts, thanks to our friends at Moda Fabrics who provided us with a full set of all the pre-cuts available for Joanna Figueroa's beautiful Fresh Cottons Collection.

This collection of fabric has a softly nostalgic feel, but there's nothing old-fashioned about it. That's one of the magical things about Joanna's designs; she pulls in wonderfully vintage themes and colors but the result is never dowdy or out-of date. In fact, they are always new and fresh and fun. To learn more about Fresh Cottons, pre-cuts and our nine Fresh Linens bedroom projects, read our article, Fresh Linens Liven up a Guest Bedroom with Crisp, Comfy Color.

Sewing Tools You Need

• Any Sewing Machine (we recommend the Janome JNH1860)
• Any Serger (optional, we recommend the Janome 1100D)

Fabric and Other Supplies

Fabric amounts shown are for two pillowcases:

• 1½ yards 44-45" fabric for pillowcase body: we used Joanna Figueroa's Fresh Cottons Bouquet in Chantilly Cream by Fig Tree Quilts for Moda Fabrics
• ½ yard 44-45" fabric for trim: we used Joanna Figueroa's Fresh Cottons Medallion Fleur in Apple Green by Fig Tree Quilts for Moda Fabrics
• Honey Bun (we used just two of the 40 Honey Bun strips in the pack; if you choose not to use a Honey Bun, you'll need to cut two 1½" x 44" strips): we used Joanna Figueroa's Fresh Cottons Honey Bun by Fig Tree Quilts for Moda Fabrics
  
• All purpose thread to match fabrics
• See-through ruler
• Iron and ironing board
• Scissors or rotary cutter and mat
• Fabric pen or pencil
• Straight pins
• Tape measure

Getting Started

1. From the fabric for the body of the pillowcases (Bouquet in Chantilly Cream in our sample), cut two 21" x 53" pieces.
2. From the fabric for the trim of the pillowcases (Fleur in Apple Green in our sample), cut two 9" x 41" pieces.
3. Cut the Honey Bun (1½") strips (Crisp Rose in Apple Green in our sample) in half to create four 21" long strips.

At Your Sewing Machine & Ironing Board

Attaching the flange and creating the pillowcase body

1. Press the Honey Bun strips in half lengthwise, wrong sides together. Once pressed, the strip is now ¾" wide.
2. The Honey Bun flange in our sample is designed to show about ½" out from the seam between the trim and pillowcase body. This means we have to pay attention to where we position the flange. The folded strip should be ¼" from the raw edge (or a total of 1" from the fold to the raw edge) along each short side of each pillowcase body (the 21" side). Measure and pin in place.
   
3. Using a machine basting stitch, stitch each flange in place, staying within the ½" seam allowance.
4. Fold one pillowcase body in half, right sides together, so it is now 21" x 26½".
   
5. Pin the two 26½" sides together. Stitch both sides, using a ½" seam allowance.
   
6. Zig zag or serge the raw edges so when the pillowcase is laundered these do not fray.
   
7. Turn the pillowcase right side out. Push out the trimmed corners from the inside to make nice, square corners on the outside. Use your finger or a blunt edge tool, like a large knitting needle. Press.
   
8. Repeat for the second pillowcase.

Pillowcase trim

1. Finish one long edge raw edge of the pillowcase trim piece with an overcast stitch, zig zag stitch or serger.
2. Press a double-fold hem along this finished edge. Turn up the edge ½" and press, then turn up another 4" and press again.
   
3. Unfold the pressed hem. Your fold lines will remain.
   
4. Fold the 9" x 41" trim piece in half, right sides together, so it is now: 9" x 20½".
5. Pin in place securely at a ½" seam allowance, and test to see if the ‘trim circle' fits the pillowcase body by slipping it over the open bottom end of the pillowcase. The open edge of the pillowcase body and the trim circle need to be a perfect match. If the trim circle seems a bit too big or too small, adjust your seam allowance accordingly.
6. Using the appropriate seam allowance you tested above, stitch along the 9" raw edge. Press seam open.
   
7. Re-fold the ½" bottom hem. Re-press and pin in place,
8. Edgestitch this hem in place. It will become the finished edge inside your pillowcase.
9. Repeat for the second pillowcase trim piece.

Finish pillowcase

1. Again, slip your trim circle over the open bottom end of your pillowcase body, right sides together, matching raw edges and aligning the trim's seam with one of the pillowcase body's side seams. You are matching the raw edge of the pillowcase opening with the raw edge of your trim piece. Pin all around.
   
   NOTE: Here's another point to TEST your seam allowance. Place a few pins horizontally along the ½" seam line. Then, check from the right side to see if the flange reveal is really how you want it to be. Nobody's perfect... especially me; that's why I always pin first, then check, THEN stitch.
2. Once you've tested and insured you have the proper seam allowance to give you the correct flange reveal, stitch all around the pillowcase opening. Press the seam up towards the pillowcase trim.
3. ‘Re-fold' the remaining 4" of the trim's hem, following the pre-pressed line.
4. This will bring the folded edge of the trim around to the inside of the pillowcase. The folded and edgestitched hem of the trim should neatly overlap the inside pillowcase/trim seam.
   
5. Pin in place from the front.
   
6. As you look at your pillowcase from the front, you should have 4" of trim showing from seam to folded edge.
7. Topstitch ¼" in from the seam - on the trim side, to secure the trim's hem in place. Press.
8. Repeat to finish second pillowcase.

Contributors

Project Design: Alicia Thommas
Sample Creation: Jodi Kelly

Other machines suitable for this project include the Baby Lock Grace and the Bernina bernette 46.

Comments (12)

Liz Johnson, Editor, Sew4Home said:

... Hi PattiJ -- other sizes just take a little extra measuring. We originally debuted the main design on which these pillowcases are based in November of last year: http://sew4home.com/projects/b...llowcases- Here are my notes from that article on resizing: If you have larger or smaller pillows you'd like to make cases for, simply adjust our measurements to accommodate your pillow size. For example, king pillows are normally 20" x 36" so the width remains the same but you need an additional 10" in finished length (20" in cut length). This means rather than cutting the fabric for the body of the pillowcase 21" x 53", you should cut it 21" x 73". However, two yards of fabric equals 72". This is where the 'fudge factor' comes in. Can you 'fudge' a little to save some money? I'd say, 'yes.'You can totally get away with this slightly shorter length to avoid buying more than a standard two yard cut. Your trim piece won't extend quite as far over the edge of the pillow, but will still cover it nicely.

September 30, 2010

PattiJ said:

... Soooo...what if you want King Sized pillowcases?

September 29, 2010

Absolute beginner said:

... Thanks for your advice Liz. The good thing about being an absolute beginner is that everybody was one at some time. I will slowly plod on and hope to get better.

September 08, 2010

Liz Johnson, Editor, Sew4Home said:

... hi Absolute beginner ... video, huh??? No sure I\'m ready for that level of exposure! For now, we\'ll continue with the pictures and drawings and super detailed instructions. One thing you will notice as you continue sewing: you will become more and more familiar and comfortable with the concept of instructions and patterns. You\'ll begin to notice many techniques are similar, and once you nail the basics, you\'ll branch out into their derivatives. Have fun. We are SO glad to have been part of your inspiration to start sewing!!!

September 07, 2010

Absolute beginner said:

... Love the pillow cases and fabric choice. As an absolute beginner though I would love to see the projects in video form. It would help a duffer like me to understand better. Thanks.

September 07, 2010

Liz Johnson, Editor, Sew4Home said:

... Hi BJ -- so happy you like these pillow cases ... they are super easy, so you'll have no trouble making sets for every room. Love your idea for the paint color. I often turn to fabric for color inspiration for all kinds of things

September 06, 2010

BJ said:

... I LOVE the pillow cases, as well as the fabric itself! Now I want to make several sets for each bedroom in my house. I'll have to use different fabric for each set, but want to use your chosen fabric for my own room which I've decided to paint in a coordinating color. Kind of backwards I guess. Most people choose the paint first. But I just love the colors in your fabric. Thanks so much for your inspiring tutes.

September 06, 2010

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it said:

... Great tutorial and love the fabrics too. Now I have to make my own. Thanks!

August 17, 2010

Liz Johnson, Editor, Sew4Home said:

... Hi Mummsie 1 -- thanks so much for passing us along to your quilting friends. The more the merrier. And, we totally know what you mean about the fabric. Makes us want to sit and sew all day as well

July 05, 2010

Mummsie 1 said:

... I have shared your site with my quilting friends. When we get together, your "Sew 4 Home" always finds it's way into our conversation. We have a few beginners and that makes your site so helpful. We all LOVE your fabric choices. Makes us want to sit and sew all day. Thank you for all the inspiration!!

July 05, 2010

Rene Sharp said:

... Gorgeous pillow cases and another wonderful tutorial. So easy to follow. I really need to get stocking up on fabric for all the wonderful projects you have here!

June 30, 2010

Ooty said:

... Beautiful!!

June 30, 2010

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