How to Make a Pillowcase

Do you have lots of fabric on hand? Do you want to do something worthwhile with it? Why not make pillowcases for charities. Check out these organizations to see how you can help.

• ConKerr Cancer - This wonderful organization accepts pillowcases that they give to children that are battling cancer and who are in hospitals for extended periods of time.
• APQ - 1 Million Pillowcase Challenge - Providing links for various charities across the United States that accept pillowcases, this effort continues to help people around the world.

It is easy to use the pillowcases that come with the sheet sets found in stores. They are usually good quality and match perfectly, but why not jazz things up a little bit.

Changing pillowcases can change the entire look and feel of a bedroom. A fancy pillowcase can turn a plain set of white sheets into something spectacular. A child's favorite princess or action figure can always be close by their side when depicted in a pillowcase.

Give your bedroom a makeover or make a child smile by making your own pillowcases. It is quick and easy when you follow these step by step instructions.

• 3 coordinating fabrics - I recommend using 100% cotton. For the large section of the pillowcase you will need a little less than 1 yard of fabric.
• Scissors
• Sewing Machine
• Pins
• Ruler or measuring tape
• Cutting surface

Using 100% cotton, prewash and press all fabric. Cut the following pieces:

• For the main part of the pillowcase (in the photos, the white fabric with yellow, green and blue flowers) cut a piece 22" x 42". Standard fabric widths average between 42" to 44" so it is quite easy to cut. Fold your fabric, wrong sides together and selvage to selvage, press, and cut length to 22". To cut the width, measure 21" (remember it is folded in half) and trim. Make sure to trim on the selvage edge side, not the folded side. When unfolded, your prepared fabric will measure 22" x 42".
• For the accent strip (the blue fabric) cut a piece 2" x 42". Follow the cutting instructions above.
• For the larger outside border (the yellow fabric) cut a piece 11" x 42". Follow the cutting instructions above.

1. With right sides together, match up edges along the long side and sew the accent strip to the border strip. Use a 1/2" seam when sewing.
2. Press the seam open.

1. Fold the border in half, short ends together and with right sides of fabric facing each other.
2. Pin at the seam where the accent piece and the larger border piece meet, for a seamless finish. Beginning and ending with some backstitching, sew a 1/2" seam along the short edge. Once sewn, it will form a loop (or circle).
3. Press seam open and set piece aside.

To finish the main part of the pillowcase:

1. Fold the fabric, matching the edges, with fabric right sides together, so that it measures 21" x 25" folded.
2. Sew along the long side of the folded fabric, using a 1/2" seam. Backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam.
3. Sew along one short side, using a 1/2" seam. Backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam.
4. Leave one short end open.
5. Flip inside out and press.

To attach the border to the main part of the pillowcase:

1. Fold the long side of the sewn border in half, wrong sides together, and match the edges. It helps to pin it together.
2. Press.
3. Pin the border around the outside of the main body of the pillowcase. Match the seam of the border to the seam of the pillowcase. To get the smaller accent border against the main section of the pillowcase, make sure that it is facing the inside when pinning.
4. Sew, using a 1/2" seam.

Flip the sewn border over and press. Put it on a pillow, step back and enjoy your work!

Pillowcases make great gifts for anyone. Your friends and family will love receiving something specially made just for them.

A cheerful pillowcase also brightens the day for someone in a nursing home or who is ill and bedridden.

Taking only an hour or so to make, custom made pillowcases add a terrific decorative touch to any bedroom. Why not make one, or a pair, today.