A set of beautiful pillowcases is one of life's little luxuries, but they can be so expensive to buy and often the colors available are just not quite right for your decor. So – make your own designer cases! 

Sewing Tools You Need

• Sewing Machine with Buttonhole function and stitch width adjustment function (we recommend the Janome Decor Computer 3050)
• Open-toe walking foot
• Buttonhole foot
• Overcast foot

Fabric and Other Supplies (to make 2 standard pillowcases)

• 2 yds of fabric (to make the main pillowcase)
• 2½ yds of wide ribbon in colors to match room decor
• 5 yds of the 3/8" wide dotted ribbon
• 2½ yds of the narrow (1/8" or ¼") ribbon (to weave in and out of the buttonholes)
• All purpose thread in colors to match fabric and ribbon
• Fray Check
• Measuring tape or ruler
• Scissors
• Optional: rotary cutter or quilting ruler

Getting Started

1. Press the fabric and cut 2 pieces 36" long by the width of the fabric.
2. Cut the width of the fabric to 41.5".
3. Wind a bobbin and thread the machine with thread that matches the 3/8" ribbon. Attach the walking foot to your machine.
4. Turn under a ½" hem on one cut edge of the fabric width and press. Turn under an additional 4" to create a clean finish. Press.
5. Draw a line 3" from the hem edge on the right side of the fabric using a water soluble marker.
   

At Your Machine

1. Lay the 3/8" dotted ribbon so the right edge of the ribbon covers the line and stitch the left edge of the ribbon using a zigzag stitch with 1.5mm width and 3mm length. This stitching secures the hem.
   
2. Butt the left edge of the wide ribbon to the right edge of the 3/8" dotted ribbon. Choose a zig zag stitch on your sewing machine and center the zig zag stitch over the two ribbons, and sew so that the stitch catches both edges. It may be necessary to widen your stitch.
3. Butt the second piece of 3/8" ribbon up to the right edge of the wide ribbon and stitch as in previous step, being sure the stitch catches both ribbon edges.
4. Sew down the right edge of each narrow ribbon.
5. Find the center of the hemmed edge and put a mark one inch out on each side of the center, using a water soluble marker, then put a mark every 2" stopping at what will be your seam. (There will be a total of 20 buttonholes along the hem edge.) Do this to both pieces.
   
6. Set your buttonhole foot for the shortest length and attach it to your machine, pull down the sensor.
7. Make your buttonholes ¼" in from the edge of the hem. After completing them run Fray Check inside the buttonhole to cut down on fraying, then cut them open.
8. Weave the ribbon in and out of the buttonholes, making sure not to let it twist. Cut the ribbon to the width of the pillowcase.
9. Tack the ribbon at each buttonhole. You may do this using the button sewing stitch (if your machine has this function). If not, set your machine for a zig zag stitch with a width of 2mm. Drop the feed dogs, and tack the ribbon at each buttonhole, sewing on the fabric and catching the ribbon on the back side. If you have an open toe appliqué foot use it here, otherwise use an all purpose foot.
10. Fold the fabric right sides together and, using an overcast stitch with your overcast foot, sew the two edges of the pillowcase.
11. Turn right side out and press.

Comments (2)

sewbit said:

	... This sure lookseasy, I deffinately will try this for my guest room
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February 17, 2009
Votes: +0

Dstme said:

	... love the ribbon laced design. Planing to use it in my newly remodeled bedroom. Thanks for the tremendous idea.
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February 22, 2009
Votes: +0