How to Sew Pillowcases

When you learn how to sew pillowcases following the directions below, I guarantee this will be your "go to" quick gift for all those little occasions where you need to do something thoughtful - FAST! My favorite (for my husband on Valentines day) was a pillowcase made from "I love You" glow-in-the dark fabric.

This is the perfect project for a brand new sewer. In fact, this is the sewing project I give to my students who are learning how to use a sewing machine for the first time. When you are first learning how to sew pillowcases, it will take you about an hour to finish one. But once you've learned how, you'll be able to whip one up in 20-30 minutes.

Sew your pillowcases using a pretty cotton print, and a contrasting print for the cuff. Or use a cuddly flannel print, a luxurious silk, or antique fabric. Then get adventurous: add lace, embroidery, braid or piping.

We also have wonderful how to sew pillowcases kits that come in your choice of contrasting fabrics, thread, and directions with complete diagrams (For those of you who learn better visually).

You can get your sewing supplies here too; we've put together complete beginner sewing kits with all the sewing tools you'll need to start your first project.

Simple Pillowcases
Sewing Directions

1. Lay the pillowcase cuff fabric right side up with selvedges (the woven edges) at your east and west, and cut portion at north and south.

2. Lay the pillowcase body fabric right side up on top of the cuff fabric, with selvedges at east and west, and cut portion at north and south. Mark and match centers (usually where the fabric has been folded in half) with a pin.

3. Roll or fold the body fabric up until you see the bottom cut edge of the cuff fabric.

4. Make a tube by taking the bottom edge of the cuff fabric, and pin it at the top (north) edges, right side down. You are creating a tube of fabric by pinning the bottom of cuff over the roll or fold of the body fabric, enclosing it.

Sewing & pressing

1. Sew the three layers together with a 1/2" seam, making sure to remove pins (don’t sew over them – that hurts the needle and the machine!)

2. Take the tube and turn it inside out - you will have a flat piece of fabric with the cuff edge seams on the inside. Iron the cuff seam on both sides until it’s flat.

3. Fold pillowcase in half (lengthwise, with cuff at top) WRONG sides together. This is really important. You are going to be sewing on the pretty side of the pillowcase first, so make sure the pale color of the fabric (the wrong side) is to the inside. Trim off the selvedges (the woven edge – usually white) and extra fabric along the cuff ends. Pin along the long side, matching cuff edges. Pin along the bottom edge too.

4. Stitch a 1/4 - 1/2" seam along side and then pivot to stitch the bottom. New sewers often feel uncomfortable sewing a ¼” seam; If this is you, just sew a ½” seam, and trim edges to ¼” after you sew the seam.

5. Press the seam flat. At the bottom corner where you pivoted, trim ¼” diagonally to reduce bulk. Turn pillowcase outside in and press seams flat. Roll edges with fingers to help press. Use a corner turner to poke out corner if you want.

6. On the inside, stitch 1/2" seam along side and bottom, enclosing the raw edges of previous seam. You can feel the thickness of the seam you are enclosing, so try to stitch outside that thickness.

7. Turn inside out and check for any sections that didn’t get fully enclosed. Trim extra threads if necessary. Press seams flat.

Now that you know how to sew pillowcases, it's time to make more!

Let me see the pillowcase kits!