Sewing: Pillowcase with Hidden Hem
IntroductionThis pillowcase project is inspired by a few things:
The first question was which fabric to use. Some quilting cottons can be fairly rough on the skin, because the thread count is low. But I found a couple that seemed to have a reasonable thread count, and felt quite smooth. The second photo is some fabric that I got in Hawaii a few years ago. I'm heading back there soon, so maybe I can replenish my stash (big grin). |
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Cut the fabricFirst off, here are some standard pillowcase sizes:
So here is what to cut for each pillowcase.
The first step, of course, is to get a straight edge at one end of the fabric. Fold the fabric in half on the lengthwise grain, so that the selvages were together. Then fold it in half again lengthwise. Using a rotary cutter, mat, and ruler, trim off the ragged edge, as shown in the photo. |
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Mark this distance away from the cut line:
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| Cut the fabric at that spot, again using the rotary cutter, mat, and ruler. |
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| Unfold the last fold that you did. The fabric is now just folded once. Mark several points 20 1/4" from that fold, close to the selvages. This measurement applies to all sizes of pillowcases. |
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| Cut on those marks. |
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Fold the fabric right sides together so that it is 20 1/4" wide and however long it has to be for your size of pillowcase.
The convenience of making a queen size pillowcase is that the fabric is a square, so there's no possibility of error! Sew or serge with a 1/4" seam across the top and side. If you are using a sewing machine, it would be useful to go back and zigzag the edges of this seam together, to finish them. This photo shows minimal trimming from the serger blade. |
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| This photo just shows the serger tail threaded through the stitches at the top corner. At the open end, just trim the tails perhaps 1/2" long - they will be protected in the hem at a later step. |
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| Press the seams to one side. This will make it easier to iron the pillowcase and get a crisp edge when you finally turn it right side out. |
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| Press a crisp 4 inch hem to the wrong side. Be very accurate here - if the cut edge is too wobbly, it might not be caught in the protection step later on. |
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| Turn the hem one more time and press. Make sure that the cut edge of the hem extends to the fold line. Again, be very accurate. Otherwise, it might not be protected later. This hem is also 4" wide. |
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With the sewing machine and a straight stitch, sew a seam close to that folded edge. This seam will completely enclose the cut edge of the hem, thus protecting it from wear and tear.
The photo shows a 1.0 cm seam allowance. This is close to a 3/8" seam allowance. You could also use my favorite skinny seam allowance, the edge of the presser foot (it's so easy to follow). |
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| This photo shows the hem completely sewn, from the wrong side of the pillowcase. See the line of stitching at the far right of the pillowcase. |
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| In this photo, still showing the wrong side, the hem has been opened out. |
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| This is what it looks like from the right side, before being ironed. |
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And after pressing that little pleat towards the top, this is what it looks like.
You could perhaps press that pleat towards the bottom, but it might require stronger pressing. |
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| Do the final pressing of the pillowcase, and fold it so that it can be stored nicely in the linen closet. |
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This is truly a quick and easy project. In a couple of hours, you can have a pair of pillowcases that express your creativity.
Another idea: after it is sewn and the little pleat ironed up, insert some lace behind the pleat and sew the pleat and lace down with a decorative stitch. |
Try this project. And share the photo! |