I know that many of you are interested in making pillowcases whether for yourselves, family, or to donate to a great cause like ConKerr Cancer. I have learned this incredible way to make a pillowcase with absolutely no raw edges. It really helps for those pillowcases that go through a lot of abuse in their lifetimes. Follow the tutorial below to get started.
You will need for each pillowcase:
3/4 yard for the theme/main print (1-1/2 yards for pair)
11" by width of fabric for the cuff (2/3 yard for pair)
2" by width of fabric for the trim (optional) (4" for pair)
Place Cuff right side UP with raw edges at top and bottom and selvages at sides.
Place Theme Print right side UP lining up raw edges along the top raw edges of the cuff fabric. Align along the left side as well (if the right sides don't align, that's fine for this and the next step, it will be solved later on).
Fold and press Trim in half, wrong sides together, to form a 1" strip by width of fabric.
Align raw edges of Trim along the raw edges of the Theme and Cuff fabrics. Temporarily pin all edges together.
Roll up the Theme print only until it is out of the way of the Cuff fabric.
Pick up the bottom edge of the Cuff and align the raw edges with those of the already pinned edges. Repin the edges together making sure to only grab the edges of the fabrics forming a tube.
Sew along the pinned edge.
Grab the inside fabrics and pull turning the right sides out. (A hemostat helps greatly during this step!)
Press the Cuff flat.
If you need to straighten the sides of the fabrics, square them now.
Fold the pillowcase, wrong sides together, and sew along the raw side edge and bottom with a scant 1/4" seam allowance
It might be helpful before moving on to trim some of the excess fabric from the sewn corners.
Turn the pillowcase inside out and sew with a wider seam encasing any raw edges. I pin the edges after I manipulate the fabric making sure the seam is at the fold.
Turn the pillowcase right side out! If you are making this for personal use, it's ready to use! If you are donating this pillowcase, wash it thoroughly to sanitize and place each pillowcase in a quart size ziplock bag.
This way to make pillowcases ensures that they last a long time, even if they're loved and used to death. I hope you enjoy this tutorial. It doesn't take long at all to make one of these pillowcases, I believe it took me longer to write this blog about it than to make one. Try it out for yourself!
