Supplies:
1. Material
2. Matching Thread
3. Pins
4. Scissors
5. Sewing Machine
Directions:
1. Choosing Your Materials
You have a number of options. I have chosen material left over from another project. This gives me the opportunity to coordinate the pillowcase to my previous project. However, if you wish, you could buy material of your choice to make your pillowcase.
2. Cutting Material
Since my husband was always taking a pillow from the house and bringing it outside to use on our deck, I decided to make something that was dedicated for outside use and coordinated with our lounge cushions. I had a little bit of fabric left over after I made the cushions for my lounge chairs so that seemed to be the perfect option. I always have these little pieces left over when I do a project and do not know what to do with them. So, this seems to be the perfect choice for these scraps. It will make your pillows match everything else and nobody will ever know that they were made from leftover scraps. If you prefer, you could also make a pillow rather than a pillowcase.
Since I am using a leftover piece of fabric, I decided to let the size of the leftover scrap to determine the size of the pillowcase.
The edges of the fabric scrap are not straight so I ended up cutting it down a little so that it is 13 inches wide by the length of the fabric piece. We need it to be a little longer than twice the length of the pillow because we are going to want to fold it in half and also fold the ends over to create a “hem” so that we can slip that pillow right in. However, I think most of the time pillowcases are a few inches wider than 13 inches wide. We now have a long strip that we cut for our pillowcase. The first step is to fold the strip in half with the right sides together. As you can see, it is now in the shape of a pillowcase with one end a fold and the other end raw edges. I prefer to sew from the open end towards the fold and then do the same on the other side. Since I am a professional seamstress and sew all the time, I feel quite comfortable not using pins. However, unless you are very confident with your sewing, I would suggest that you pin the sides together so that the edges to not slip, the seam is even and smooth and you can ensure that the raw ends are even.
3. Sewing Side Seams
To begin with, I will start at the open end and sew towards the folded end. I am using a contrasting thread as I do this so that you can see my stitches. First, I am going to backstitch a few stitches then sew forward towards the fold and once I reach the folded end, backstitch again. It is necessary to always start your seams with backstitching at the beginning and the end of each seam. Once you have sewn that seam, repeat the same pattern of stitches on the other side. Whether you have used pins or not, you need to pay attention to the fabric as you sew. If you feel that the edges have moved or that the material has puckered, stop and adjust the fabric.
The truth is, if it is off a little bit, no one will notice. But, if it is off a lot, you will want to stop and fix it.
If the pillowcase will be used primarily outside, you might want to use UV thread. UV thread is made is really the best thread to use for items used outside because it will help withstand the effects of the sun and the seams will be much stronger. However, because it is thicker, you will probably have to adjust the tension. I hate to adjust the tension on machines, so I am only going to use the UV thread on the bobbin just to give the seam a little extra strength. I will, however, probably need to adjust the tension on the bobbin.
4. Determining Width of Hem
After sewing the two side seams, I will need to determine the overall length of the pillowcase and how wide I want the hem at the opening of the pillowcase to be. I have already decided that length will be determined by the length of the scrap less the width of the hem and I want the hem to be approximately two inches wide. So, I am going to turn the ends over and pin two inches on each side of the hem. A little trick that I like to use to make sure the hem is even all the way around the circumference of the pillowcase is to match the side seams together and make sure the size of the hem is the same on both sides. I also check the side seams with the center of the pillowcase front and back. If everything is even, I will turn the hem over again to get a nice clean finish. Again, match the hem at the two side seams so that they match.
When you turn the material over into a hem, make sure that the seams are pressed open each time you turn the edges so that you do not have material bunched up underneath. I like to kind of press the seams open with my fingers. You could, of course, iron the seams open to make sure the seams are nice and flat. This is one place where the details are important! You want to make sure that the hem is even all the way around. It is also a place that is important to pin it down no matter how experienced a sewer you are. Otherwise, it could end up looking a little wonky. It is always good to press the hem at this point so that you can make sure that it is nice and flat.
5. Sewing the Hem
I suggest that you sew the seam from the inside and line the pressure foot up with the inside fold of the hem. Turn the case right side out and move the top layer of material aside so that you can sew the seam from the inside. That way, you can see the stitches and line them up as you go. Sometimes the stitches are not even and you have to adjust the stitches. To me, it is not all that important if the stitches are a little irregular on the inside of the pillowcase, but I do not want them to be irregular on the outside of the pillowcase.
Since the pre-existing sewing guide lines on most sewing machines are covered up by the material, you cannot use them to guide your stitches in a straight line. In that case, I often use a small piece of cardboard as a guide. To create this guide, make a small mark on the cardboard to guide the needle. In other words, if you want the stitches to be ½ inch from the inside edge of the hem, make a mark ½ inch from the edge of the cardboard. Then, as you sew, move the piece of cardboard in front of the pressure foot keeping the edge of the cardboard matched up to the inside edge of the hem and lining the needle up with that mark and move it in front of the pressure foot as you go.
There you go. A beautiful pillowcase created to complement your décor inside or outside.
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