GET READY TO SEW UP A QUICK BEDROOM REFRESH WITH THESE ADORABLE AND EASY PILLOWCASES!
If you are looking for a quick and easy way to add fresh flair to your bedrooms, fun printed pillowcases are definitely the way to go. It’s amazing just how easy these are to make, and you can really customize them to any space. As part of a holiday make-ahead project, I made these cute Christmas pillowcases, but of course they’re perfect for any time of year!
I’ve read about a lot of people who give these as gifts each year to family members. What a great tradition, don’t you think? I may have to start that for our granddaughter, and any other kids that come along!
Supplies for Holiday Pillowcases
As I mentioned above, we are going to look at two different methods for making pillowcases. They really are quite similar. The only real difference is that one has a trim between the body and the cuff, and the other one doesn’t! Pretty simple, right?
So for starters, you will need fabric. Check your stash, your local quilt shop or visit an online shop like the Fat Quarter Shop to find some designs that really work for you and your space. You can choose prints or solids, or a combination of both. Keep in mind that if you choose a directional fabric, you may need a little extra.
How much fabric you need depends on your pillow size, as you might have guessed. You can also adjust for personal preference. Some people like the case to be quite a bit longer than the pillow, while others prefer a shorter fit. We will be cutting a for a Queen pillow.
FABRIC + NOTIONS FOR EVERY PROJECT
From charm packs and jelly rolls to rulers and thread, Fat Quarter Shop is packed with everything a quilter or sewist could need. It’s one of my first stops when planning a project.
Here is a list of basic sewing supplies that you’ll need for this project:
- Rotary cutter and mat
- Quilting Ruler
- Sewing machine
- Thread
- Iron and ironing board or pressing mat
- Pins or clips
- Spray starch – this is totally optional. I do use starch for most of my projects, as it just makes the fabric a little easier to work with!
Want to see how quick and easy these pillowcases are to put together? Check out my YouTube tutorial here:
And don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to my YOUTUBE CHANNEL so you don’t miss any of my upcoming projects!
Wasn’t that easy? For full written instructions, keep on reading!
TRUSTED TOOLS FOR EVERY STITCH
Singer offers reliable, easy-to-use machines and sewing tools that help bring your projects to life.
Pillowcases: Step-by-Step Instructions
These instructions are for a Queen pillow. Additional cutting sizes are below! Start by cutting your fabrics as follows:
Main fabric (body) – 27″ x 40″
Cuff – 9″ x 40″
Trim – 2″ x 40″
A note about the trim. This is the optional piece but I think it really adds a polished look to your pillowcases. The 2″ cut is merely a suggestion – if you would like a wider trim, consider using a piece of a jelly roll. Or you could have a narrower trim, but I wouldn’t go much smaller than 1 ½”. If you choose not to use the trim, simply skip that step, as nothing else in the instructions will change.
When cutting your fabric, pay close attention to directional prints. You may need to cut your fabric in the opposite direction, so if you choose a directional fabric, you’ll want to purchase approximately 1 ¼ yards (1.25 metres). I wouldn’t suggest a true directional print for the cuff, as you’d be purchasing a lot of fabric for a 9″ strip.
For additional cutting sizes, you’ll cut as follows:
Standard: 22″ x 40″
King: 33″ x 40″
Body: 51″ x 40″
The trim and cuff will still be cut at 2″ and 9″ as above.
Once you have cut your fabric, start by preparing the trim. Again, if you don’t use the trim, skip to the next step!
Fold your trim in half with WRONG sides together and press. Pin this to the top edge of the cuff fabric, with right sides together. You will be aligning the long edge as shown below:
Line up the raw edges of your main fabric, trim, and cuff with right sides together.
Next, pin your body fabric to the cuff, with the trim in between the two pieces. The body fabric will be right side facing down towards the right side of the cuff. See the image below.
With all layers aligned, your easy pillowcase is ready to roll.
Roll up the body fabric as shown.
Roll up the main fabric until it sits in the centre of the cuff strip.
Wrap the bottom edge of the cuff fabric around the body fabric and pin into place. Be sure that all top edges are evenly aligned. This will be the cuff, trim, body and cuff. You’ll be sewing through five layers if you choose to use the trim.
Fold the cuff over the rolled fabric and clip or pin everything together to hold it in place.
Stitch along the top edge using a ¼” to ⅜” seam. You want to be sure your stitch is wide enough to catch all the layers.
After you have stitched the edges, you get to start pulling your pillowcase out of its cocoon!
Gently pull the main fabric out through one end of the tube to turn the pillowcase right side out.
Reach into the “tube” and pull one corner of the body fabric. Keep pulling until it’s fully right-side out.
Keep pulling until the entire pillowcase is free from the cuff tube.
This method reveals a clean cuff with no exposed seams — like magic!What you’ll see is that your cuff is finished on both sides, and the trim peeks out below. How cute! Press your fabric and choose which direction you want your trim to lay – towards the body or the opening. I prefer mine to lay towards the body of the pillow, but it’s up to you.
Give everything a good press — your pillowcase is halfway done!Next, fold your pillowcase in half with wrong sides together. We will be stitching with a French seam, which ensures there are no raw edges or loose threads in your pillowcase.
Look how crisp and colourful your pillowcase looks — time to stitch the side seams.Line up your cuff and trim and pin them in place. I like to start at the top of the cuff when stitching to make sure they line up nicely. Stitch a ¼” seam along the long side of the case and across the bottom. Press and trim your bottom corner.
Now, turn your pillow case inside out so that your right sides are together. Following the same stitching line (along the long edge and across the bottom) stitch a ⅜” seam. Press and turn your pillowcase right side out.
Turn your pillowcase to right sides together and prep to sew the side and bottom French seams.
And voila, you’re finished! Just like that, you’ve made an adorable pillowcase that you can use in your own bedroom, a guest room, or to give as a gift. Just think how fast you’ll be able to whip these up for everyone you know! I’ll be making them for our bedroom, for sure, and our guest room, and as gifts for our daughter’s family.
For another great make-ahead project, be sure to check out my Fabric Gift Bags post!
Want to remember this? Save “How to Make Cute Pillowcases: 2 Styles, 1 Method” to your favourite Pinterest boards!
