PILLOWCASE SEWING TUTORIAL – two (simple!) ways

December 9, 2022

Pillowcase made in Bedford Mustard

The humble pillowcase – a hardworking daily essential and undoubtedly one of the best and most useful handmade items to gift yourself or someone you love. We’ve long wanted to put together a simple sewing tutorial on how to make one and that day is finally here! In this blog post, we’re sharing two popular and simple pillowcase styles – the Standard Fold Pocket and Envelope Closure Pocket.

As with every sewing project, fabric choice is very important. Choose something smooth, soft, cool and comfortable. Silk satin is the most luxurious option and has become hugely pillow popular for its properties in reducing friction on both skin and hair. We also love light-to-medium weight washed linens such as our Linford, Bedford and Newford collections. If you love the fresh look of stripes, try our Eze or Tinos linens, and if checks are more your thing, our Abby range of gingham linens is perfect. And, of course, there’s always (and forever) Liberty tana lawn.

Let’s make some pillows!

 

STANDARD FOLD POCKET PILLOWCASE TUTORIAL – this style works best in silk, cotton and linen.
What you’ll need for two standard 73cm (28 3/4″) x 47.5cm (18 3/4″) pillowcases
2 x rectangles measuring 50cm (19 1/2″) x 170cm (67″), cut lengthwise on fabric.
thread
pins
SEWING INSTRUCTIONS
Staystitch 3/8″ from short ends. 
 
Turn 3/8″ at staystitching line towards the wrong side. Press.
Turn again 3/8″ and pin in place along folded edge.
Edgestitch at folded edge. Backstitch at beginning and end.
With right side of pillowcase facing you, fold back opposite neatened end so that right sides are together, and neatened edge measures 73cm (28 3/4″) from folded edge. Pin in place along sides.
Sew 1/2″ seam allowance. Backstitch at beginning and end.
Fold back opposite neatened edge, overlapping neatened edge of previous turnback.  NOTE: Overlap is 19cm (7 1/2″). Pin in place along sides.
Sew 1/2″ seam allowance, to meet seam allowance sewn in previous step. Backstitch at beginning and end.
Overlock side seams.
 
Press. Turn pillowcase out to right side.
And you’re done! The finished pillow case measures 73cm (28 3/4″) x 47.5cm (18 3/4″).

pillowcase made in Almond Silk Satin

ENVELOPE CLOSURE PILLOWCASE TUTORIAL (closure at the back) – for this style of pillowcase, firmer fabrics such as cotton or linen work best.
What you’ll need for two standard 73cm (28 3/4″) x 47.5cm (18 3/4″) pillowcases
1.7m linen, lightweight cotton or Liberty tana lawn
thread
pins

SEWING INSTRUCTIONS

Cut fabric lengthwise into two rectangles measuring 50cm (19 1/2″) x 170cm (67″)

Staystitch 3/8″ in from short ends of each rectangle.

Turn 3/8″ towards the wrong side at staystitching line. Press.

Turn again 3/8″ and pin in place along folded edge.

Edgestitch at folded edge. Backstitch at beginning and end.

With right side of fabric facing you, fold back one neatened end so that right sides are together, and the neatened end measures 57cm (22 3/8″) from the fold.  Pin in place along sides.

Sew 1/2″ seam allowance. Backstitch at beginning and end.

Fold back the opposite neatened end, overlapping the previous turnback.  Note: The overlap measures 36cm (14 3/8″). Pin in place along sides.

Sew 1/2″ seam allowance, to meet seam allowance sewn in previous step. Backstitch at beginning and end.

Overlock side seams.

Turn pillowcase out to right side.  Press.

That’s it! The finished pillow case measures 73cm (28 3/4″) x 47.5cm (18 3/4″).

Pillowcase made in Meadow Song Yellow

Fabric leftovers can be used to make a drawstring bag to store your pillowcases, hair scrunchies or eye masks. Sweet dreams!