A DIY Tutorial: How to Sew a Pillowcase

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I tried something new this weekend. 🙂 I have had some of this black and white Sommerville fabric in my stash for a few years now. I have wanted to incorporate it into Case’s bedroom for a while, but I wasn’t sure how.

I continue trying new projects right now. I have learned over and over that my love of sewing stems from creating patchwork quilts, but sometimes a quick project is a good feeling.

My Saturday morning was spent making a new pillowcase for our three year old’s bedroom. There are a few things I will change when I make another, but this is a great tutorial for dimensions and a good place to start.

1. I measured a pillowcase we already use on Case’s bed. It measured 29 inches by 19 1/2 inches. I decided I would shoot for a 30 inch by 20 inch pillow case.

2. I wanted to sew a pillowcase with multiple panels. I wanted a wide panel at the opening with a large hem. Since I used the same fabric for this entire pillowcase, the panel at the end is not as defining as I’d hoped it’d be, but this gives me good measurements for another pillowcase where I will combine multiple fabrics.

I cut four panels.

Two panels are 22 1/2 inches by 20 1/2 inches.
Two panels are 12 1/2 inches by 20 1/2 inches.

Pictured below are the larger panels. They measure 22 1/2 inches by 20 1/2 inches. Once I cut one panel, I laid it on top of the fabric to use it as a template to cut a second panel the same size.

3. I then cut two more panels: each measuring 12 1/2 inches by 20 1/2 inches. These panels will need to be hemmed to create a finished edge. They will be the opening of the pillow case.

To create the hemmed end, I folded over four inches of fabric. Then I ironed that hem before stitching it down.

4. I sewed the four inch hem down to keep it secure. I used a quarter of an inch seam allowance.

5. Below is the finished end panel.

You can see the finished edge from the hem. If you look carefully, you can see the stitching where I secured the hem. Then you can also see the unfinished edge that will soon be sewn to the larger panel of the pillow case.

6. Putting the right sides of the fabric together, sew the end panel together with the larger panel. This creates one side of the pillowcase.

Repeat this step to create the other side of the pillowcase.

7. Iron your seams.

8. Pin the two sides of the pillowcase right sides together, and sew around the perimeter of the pillowcase. (Be sure to leave the hemmed end open.) That’s where you slip the pillow in. Also be sure to back stitch at the ends to secure your thread.

9. Turn your pillowcase inside out and put your pillow in!

You can see the seam where the two panels meet in the above picture. Like I said, next time I think I would enjoy using a second coordinating fabric for the end panel.

My three year old likes his new pillowcase, and this entire project took about an hour and a half. I used up some fabric that I have had for a couple years, and I was able to add a fun new pattern to Case’s bedroom.

My time was well spent Saturday morning. 🙂