How to Make a Pillowcase

Pillowcases for Charity
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.
Supplies Needed to Make One Pillowcase
- 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
Step 1 - Choose and Prepare Fabric

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.
Step 2 - Sew Together the Border and Accent Strip


- 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.
- Press the seam open.
Step 3 - Prepare the Border to Attach to the Body of the Pillowcase



- Fold the border in half, short ends together and with right sides of fabric facing each other.
- 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).
- Press seam open and set piece aside.
Step 4 - Prepare the Large Section of the Pillowcase

To finish the main part of the pillowcase:
- Fold the fabric, matching the edges, with fabric right sides together, so that it measures 21" x 25" folded.
- Sew along the long side of the folded fabric, using a 1/2" seam. Backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam.
- Sew along one short side, using a 1/2" seam. Backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam.
- Leave one short end open.
- Flip inside out and press.
Step 5 - Attach the Pillowcase Border to the Main Section




To attach the border to the main part of the pillowcase:
- Fold the long side of the sewn border in half, wrong sides together, and match the edges. It helps to pin it together.
- Press.
- 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.
- Sew, using a 1/2" seam.
Step 6 - Finish the Pillowcase

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.

Questions & Answers
© 2013 Glimmer Twin Fan
Comments
I really like how you put the different designs and colors together. They turned out great. This technique would make decorating a room fun adding all the fabrics from the linens to make unique pillowcases. Adding it to my craft board.
Another great way to use leftover fabric! I'll have to try this one too!
Thanks, Glim. Will share these tips for those interested in starting this project!
Hi GTF,
As always you do a fantastic job here of explaining with in depth instructions and superb pictures the entire process of making a pillow case.
Excellent hub! Voted up, useful and interesting .Shared and pinned as well.
Your photos and detailed instructions are excellent. I have never tried to make a pillow case, but always wanted to. I have recently been given a whole heap of my grandmothers vintage fabric and retro print from the 60's, I think I have found my next project. Thank you + new follower
Great pattern. What is the finished size of the pillowcase?? thank you
This is an excellent concept. There are so many different occasions to commemorate using this useful and creative project.
Thanks for the share.
Glimmer, you're really talented! I"m looking into getting a new set of pillowcases and these would definitely be a great idea. Thanks for sharing, and I'm passing this hub around!
Bravo 10 times for adding the links to charities. Linking your easy to follow tutorial to my hub on sewing a child's pillowcase--thanks!
Will you please come over here and work for me? lol! you are so clever, and always show us how to make them using photos which is so helpful, another great hub, and voted up!
Very nice post. My mother made me some beautiful pillow cases and I still have them today. Very detailed post and will help those who desire to make a quality set.
Thank you for sharing this awesome tutorial.. love how descriptive it is and the photos are great too! I think I could actually do this.. Now if I can stop procrastinating and get my sewing machine to the shop! Thank you for sharing :)
GT....This is absolutely terrific! I make pillow cases quite often. I enjoy it and they also make wonderful gifts.
But the truth is....I could have never done the perfect job you have done, with this instructional hub! Bless your heart! This is awesome...UP+++
Love this Glimmer and all the details. Also love the links to the charities that accept/donate pillow cases. Very cool!
This is great, I have been wanting to make my own pillowcases. The only thing I dread is the sewing! Thumbs up.
Thanks for sharing. I will also like to learn how to make fitted bed sheets.
This is such a lovely idea and looks fantastic. I'm ashamed of my non-sewing skills. Ouch!
Very well written. I will have to try making these!
GlimmerTwinFan: Wow! Voted Up! One of the nicest DIY Hubs I've seen in the last couple of months. Not to mention great close ups! I love the idea of creating your own pillow case. And when your PC is no longer needed you can make it into a wash bag or even a PC dress (check out my DIY Hub on this topic for more ideas). Even so, I can't wait to get back to my sewing machine and make some PCs today! Best Regards--Deb
There is not much chance I'll be doing this, but I will share it so others can learn. Good tutorial my friend. Have a great weekend.
I have a pair I made fir Christmas a year ago...I love them..then I lost the instructions..thanks for posting..voting up and across.
Hey, I might actually be able to do this one! I have a sewing machine that has decided I don't love it anymore. Actually, I'm not sure I ever loved it - we had sort of a wary friendship . . .
I like the idea of sprucing up a room by adding colorful pillow cases - nice hub!
Now why didn't I think of that! I pulled out my sewing machine from the closet a few months ago and have been making covers for throw pillows . Excellent hub:) Voted up and useful.
I am just getting back into sewing and found this most useful. The pillowcase looks lovely. I am going to bookmark and voting up and of course a big pin.
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