Update: Homemade Pillowcases

I know it's only been, what, a week since my pillowcase post, but I have an update.  First of all - I realized I did my french seam wrong.  I watched the tutorial, but not all the way to the end.  I saw her put the fabric right sides together ... and those of you that have made french seams probably already know what I did wrong.  The exterior of the case had a 5/8" wide strip that should have been on the inside of the pillowcase!  So, to anyone doing a french seam for the first time, start with wrong sides together, sew a 1/4" seam, turn inside out so right sides are together, press and then stitch a 1/2" - 5/8" seam.  Turn inside out again and you will have hidden seams.

Next... this sausage roll method has a really nice accent strip between the pillowcase body and cuff.  I discovered upon washing that this accent piece can fold over on itself, and you don't want to donate a pillowcase to a foster child or senior citizen that they will have to press after washing.  I'd recommend running a top stitch over the bottom end of the accent piece so it stays flat.

I made another pillowcase out of some scrap fabric, and because of that first failed french seam, I just overcasted the seam on this one.  It worked so well, I took out the french seam on the first and did an overcasting stitch on the first pillowcase.

Homemade pillowcases!

This past weekend I dedicated my time to working on block 2 of the Merry Merry Snowman block of the month.  I'm so behind on them.  Last night I finished all the applique and only have the hand embroidery work to do on it.  So, today when I got home from work and had a little time to play in my sewing room, I decided to try a custom pillowcase.




If I'd known how easy and quick it was, I would have made 'sew' many of them by now.  A few weeks ago I read about the 1 million pillowcase challenge that All People Quilt is sponsoring and put it on my to-do list.  A few internet searches and a YouTube tutorial and I was on my way.  Rather than type out all the directions on how to make a pillowcase with no exposed seams, I'll just link you to the video I used.

 

Give it a try yourself, and drop some pillowcases off at a participating shop to donate to the pillowcase challenge. I know I'll be making more!!

Also - these make great gifts for kids or family members in the hospital, care homes, hospice, etc.  A great idea I heard in one of the videos I watched is to make a pillowcase that matches a quilt you are giving away and then use the pillowcase as 'giftwrap' for the quilt.  'Sew' many ideas to use these....

~ Enjoy ~

** I've added an update