How To
Sew Decrative Pillowcases
Or
How To Make Pillowcases Out Of Decorative
Fabrics
Making pillowcases out of
decorative fabrics is actually quite easy. You
will find that this is a great project for
beginners, as well as someone that has been
sewing for quite a while. You will need a yard
of fabric per pillowcase, and you if you want,
when you are having your fabric measured and
cut to purchase, you can ask them to cut the
yardage in one yard increments. This will save
you work when you get home, and most fabric
stores are happy to do this for you. You will
also need a serger, sewing machine, and thread
that matches the fabric that you purchased.
These instructions will make a pillowcase that
will fit a queen or king size pillow. If you
are wanting to make a pillowcase for a smaller
pillow, you will need to cut your fabric
accordingly.
1. Press Your Fabric
When you sew, you must press
your fabric. This means dragging out the
ironing board, and pressing your decorative
fabric. Be careful not to stretch the fabric
out of shape, and make sure that you are
pressing and not ironing the fabric. Also, set
your iron to the correct temp for the fabric
that you purchased. You will not want to burn
or scorch your fabric.
2. Cut Your Fabric
The next step for your
pillowcases is to cut your decorative fabric.
You will need a yard of fabric per pillowcase,
if you had your fabric precut at the fabric
store, you can skip this step, otherwise, you
will need to measure out a yard, and cut
it.
3. Fold Your Fabric
Next, you will want to fold
your decorative fabric for your pillowcases in
half. Selvage edge to selvage edge is the way
that you should fold, and make sure the wrong
side of the fabric is facing you. There is not
any need to cut off the selvage edges, you can
just chop them off with your serger as you sew
that side together. But once you have folded
your fabric in half, you might want to use a
few pins. fabric is rather slippery, and you
will find that you have more control over it if
you pin it together. Make sure that you pin
close to where you will want to serge, but not
in the serging area. This will prevent you
running over any pins and breaking your needle
while you are sewing.
4. Serge the Selvage Edges
of Your Fabric
Now you are ready to serge
together the decorative fabric for your
pillowcases. You will do this so that your
serger will cut off the selvage edges, and your
pins should guide you as where you will want to
sew. Be sure that you sew straight so that you
will not have a crooked pillowcase in the
end.
5. Pin the Bottom
Next you will want to pin
the bottom of the pillowcase together, so that
you can serge the bottom of it closed. There
are no selvage ends here to cut off while you
sew, so you can determine where you would like
to sew your line. Usually an inch from the raw
edge is good.
6. Serge the Bottom
Closed
Now you will go and serge
the bottom of the fabric pillowcase closed. Be
careful not to sew over pins as this will break
your needle. Try to sew as straight as
possible, and you will find that your
pillowcase is coming together quite nicely.
7. Serge the Top
Now you will want to serge
the raw edge at the top. Of course, you will
not pin it closed, because you will need this
end open to insert your pillow. Just take the
fabric pillowcase to the serger, and serge the
raw edges so that they will not unravel
anymore.
8. Press A Cuff
Next you are going to take
your pillowcase to the ironing board and press
the top down so that you can sew a cuff onto
it. This will look like a purchased fabric
pillowcase once you are done, with a nice
folded cuff and all. Usually about three inches
is a good cuff length for a pillowcase. You
will want to pin it down, so that the press
will stay in, and you will know where you want
to sew the cuff down at.
9. Sew the Cuff Down
Next you are ready to thread
your sewing machine with the thread that
matches your decorative fabrics. This stitch
will be seen on the outside of the pillowcase,
so you want to be sure that the thread matches
or blends nicely. Carefully sew the cuff down
on your machine, and try to sew as straight as
possible. You will find that this seam is seen
from the right side, and you want to make sure
it looks nice.
10. Turn Right Side Out
Next you can turn your
pillowcases right side out and insert a pillow
because you are done. Be sure that you poke out
the corners from the inside, and you will find
that your pillow will fit inside of the case
quite nicely.
Making pillowcases out of
decorative fabrics is a lot of fun. If you love
to sew, you should make a pillowcase or two for
yourself or someone else. You will find that
these make great wedding gifts, and you can
give them to anyone for any special occasion.
If you are giving them as a wedding gift, you
can use white fabric, and embroider the names
of the bride and groom as well as the date that
they are getting married. Anyone that receives
one as a gift will love it and cherish it for
years to come.
By: Mariette Wingeier
|
