Skip to main content

Pillowcase

Last weekend I spent some time sewing pillowcases.  I am ready to do the quilting on my latest quilt, but I needed a break before tackling that job.
An easy project!
 


 Here is how it is done--at least how it is done by me.



 Three pieces of material are needed:

Main color
enough to make a back that is 18.75 x 35.35"
and a front that is 18.75 x 24.75"

Contrast color
a piece that is 18.75x8"

Trim
18.75x2.5"
I had to improvise to get the back measurement, but that worked out okay.  This is not rocket science.
Fold the trim strip in half and align it with the narrow edge of the top piece.  Place the contrast piece under this with the right side up, aligned along the wrong side of the top.  Pin and stitch through four layers.
 
Pull up the contrast piece.  Press over the top edge, fold to cover the stitching on the trim.  Top stitch the contrast piece to the top piece.


 The extra length on the bottom is meant to be a flap that keeps the pillow enclosed.  Do not fold it over the top like this:




Fold it down against the wrong side of the bottom and aligned with the front top.



With wrong sides together, stitch around three sides, leaving the contrast edge open.  Turn the wrong side out and press carefully.  Stitch around the same three sides using a seam allowance that keeps those raw edges within it.

 
Voila!


Useful tools--seam ripper and small scissors for
snipping threads.



Comments

  1. Very good, quite lovely. You're making yourself some nice gifts there. Do you have a 'Florida machine' or do you bring the one in Vermont?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have my old machine--1964 state of the art White--that I keep in Florida. They just do not make things to last like that anymore.

      Delete
  2. As always, they're beautiful! You're so talented!
    Peace,
    Muff

    ReplyDelete
  3. How pretty. I especially like the materials you used. I'd have to find the sewing machine - it hasn't surfaced since we moved nearly 3 years ago and it wasn't used for several years prior...it's probably pretty dusty!

    Maybe when I retire? In the meantime I'll stick to my crocheting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sewing is definitely a retirement activity.

      Delete
  4. I'm not so sure. It may be closer to rocket science than you think. I think sewing is really hard.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. In an old post (2010), I said I was not interested in quilting because it involves too much math. Do you know that they make special calculators for quilters?

      Delete
  5. I can relate to Margaret's comment. I really like your results however and you make me want to over come my sewing fears. Wonder if my machine still works?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A pillow case is straight seams, but even that takes practice. Notice that one of my pictures is what not to do--because that is what I did. It's the haveing to think backwards that kills me.

      Delete
  6. Great project! I was in our church for a meeting and spotted a large one on a rack. Much work. Well done! I made a wall hanging yesterday!
    Cheers from Cottage Country!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I sort of got lost, but the results are lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I am very impressed! That is absolutely gorgeous!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Olga! Lovely colors and I envy your nice wide ironing board! Just getting my machine out again since expensive repair (result of lending it to daughter). You inspire me to get on with my project - I've been cutting up squares of all my spare matching materials to make a 'puffed' quilt for my bed. (Retirement project for when we finally move).

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love your choice in fabrics! They turned out great.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Loved this project. I haven't sewn in a while. It's past time that I set back up my sewing machine in my guest room and stitch up a few things. Pillow cases would be a lovely project! Thanks for the idea!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

I appreciate readers' comments so much. You don't even always have to agree with me.

Popular posts from this blog

Updates

 On September 29, I had the closing on my condo. Everything that was not going to the buyers was out and packed in the ABF moving truck which had by the been taken over to the storage units. Don thought it would take him until Wednesday to finish packing the truck with the help of his son. It took him until late Thursday with Chris' help and mine. Kevin was supposed to help load as well but he was in a mountain bike accident and wrecked his shoulder the week before. That added driving him to doctor appointments to my to do list and dong some shopping for him plus jobs around the house that might need two functioning upper limbs.  We stayed with Kevin on Friday night after the closing and then had a suite in an extended stay place for the coming week. This was the worst possible time to have to get a room because the prices balloon during leaf peeping season if you can even find a room at all. But it was close to the storage units where we were working and it was dog friendly. We ju

Wedding

 Don and I drove to South Carolina to attend the wedding of my step-grandson, Will. Will Will and Katie The wedding took place on Dataw Island, a beautiful outdoor ceremony followed by a reception in the country club. We stayed in a tiny cottage in the historic center of Beaufort, rented from Vrbo. Since the wedding was at 5 p.m., we had time to explore the area a bit. I really like the low country scenery and historical charm. Sitting quietly in the curtained gazebo I was visited by multiple cardinals. They came to visit the feeder, not me, but I can always pretend! How I will always remember Will!

Rest In Peace

 In a summer that has been so wet, Sunday was a reprieve. The humidity dropped and the sun came out. It was a day that could have been special ordered by the family of a friend's husband. It was the day they had arranged his celebration of life ceremony set on the shore of Lake Champlain. I was not looking forward to the gathering, even couched as a celebration. This is a family fraught with relationship tensions. It turned out to be a beautiful day and a beautiful ceremony. A Catholic priest gave a brief but meaningful homily and two Air Force members played "Taps" and presented the American flag to my friend. I am not a Christian, but I do know about Christ Consciousness. That priest's word's filled me with such a sense of peace and love. I hope it did the same for the family members and neighbors who attended.