Welcome to Week Two of On the Edge...
This weeks task: Construct a Posh Pillowcase
Difficulty Level: 2 1/2 chocolates
This week we will make our pillowcase. In previous posts, I referred to this pillowcase as a "pillowcase with a flap". What? What the heck is a pillowcase with a flap? Well, let me clarify. It's not really a flap. It's more like a pocket for the pillow to fit in once you put it in the case. It keeps the unsightly end of your pillow and the wrong side of the fabric from showing. I know...In the big picture, unsightly ends and wrong sides of fabric are not a big deal, but the pillowcase (singular) I have from Pottery Barn is constructed like this. It must be the way bed linens are meant to be, at least the ones that cost too much to drool on while napping. You know, the posh ones. And since we are going to beautify this case with some lovely handwork doesn't it seem fitting that we make a posh pillowcase? Yes, I thought so too. Let's get started.
Instructions for construction of the Posh Pillowcase:
Prewash fabric.
Eat a chocolate. I'm serious. A girl needs to have sustenance to focus her brain efficiently. Save the other chocolate and a half for later on.
Match the selvedges (or selvages, whichever you prefer) of your fabric. Snip the fold. Rip down the center of fabric. I love this part. Tah-wan-duh! You now have two pieces of fabric that are roughly 21" x 40". If you are using two different fabrics, do this step to both pieces of your fabric. Put one piece of each fabric aside to make a second pillowcase later.
Cut one of your fabric pieces 20" x 30". This is the floral piece in my photos. It is my focus fabric. I will refer to this piece as the TOP of the pillowcase.
Cut the other piece 20" x 38.5". This is the polka dot piece in my photos. I will refer to this piece as the BOTTOM of the pillowcase.
Turn under a 3/8" hem on the TOP of your pillowcase. Pin in place, but do not stitch yet.
Turn under a 3/8" hem on the BOTTOM of your pillowcase. Stitch in place.
Put the TOP and BOTTOM of the pillowcase right sides together matching raw edges. Pin. The hemmed edge of the BOTTOM will extend past the pinned edge of the top. I will call this the "flap".
Eat another chocolate and then carry on.
Take the "flap" of the BOTTOM that extends beyond the TOP and fold back over the TOP. You will have a little pillowcase sandwich. The TOP of the pillowcase will be sandwiched between two "slices" of the BOTTOM fabric.
Stitch the seams on each side of the pillowcase beginning at the folded-over end. Backstitch at the beginning of the seam, at the spot where the "flap" ends, and at the end of the seam. USE A 1/2" SEAM ALLOWANCE.
When you are done with both side seams, measure the distance between your two seams. It should measure 19". If it is not, make the necessary adjustments. This measurement will be IMPORTANT later on.
Stitch across the end of the pillowcase using a 1/2" seam.
Finish the raw edges so they don't fray. You can serge them, use a zig-zag stitch, or use pinking shears.
Turn the pillowcase right side out and press.
Stitch the hem on the TOP of the pillowcase. Continue stitching all the way around the pillowcase so that you have a stitch line that is approximately 1/4" from the edge all the way around.
The posh pillowcase is done! Pop that last half of a chocolate in your mouth. Give your pillowcase a final press. Slip a pillow in the case making sure to put the end of the pillow down into the pocket you created. Check it out...unsightly pillow ends are hidden...only the right side of the fabric is in view. Pottery Barn has nothing on you! You go girl!
See you next Monday. Have fun creating a Posh Pillowcase or two. Email me if you have questions.
Until then,
Cassie
Can't wait to get to my sewing machine. Thanks for the great directions. The week is going to be long. I am anxious to get to the trimming.
Posted by: Peggy | March 08, 2010 at 08:57 AM
OMG! These are awesome. I stumbled on your blog this morning and perused the whole thing. I will be making these pillowcases for sure. I'm going to stop at the bookstore on the way home and get a copy of Crochet Adornments. Thanks.
Posted by: Elaine | March 08, 2010 at 10:31 AM
Most excellent Ms. Girl! I've never made a post pillowcase before, but now I'm rarin' to go! Thanks for the fab instructions!!!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | March 08, 2010 at 10:37 AM
What a fantastic tutorial! Thank you! I love this pattern...all seam ends are hidden! Excellent. I can't wait for the rest of the instructions!
Posted by: Pam | March 08, 2010 at 10:47 AM
O.k. I have been working on "how we are going to make the pillowcase" all week, and now I know! This is an awesome tutorial, great pictures, wonderful captions, excellent recognition of the need for chocolate! So it is "hi ho, hi ho, off to my sewing room I go.
Thanks so much
Jan
Posted by: thready | March 08, 2010 at 11:39 AM
I just found your blog...linked from another wonderful blog :-)
I will be making the pillowcase and then I think you will be adding a crochet edge.
Going to the next post...
Maria
Posted by: Maria | March 08, 2010 at 02:13 PM
Hurrah! Got two pillowcases done this morning and can't wait for next week's lesson. Instructions were perfect! My girls and I are all loving this tutorial --
Posted by: Laura, Catherine, Sarah, & Madelyn | March 08, 2010 at 02:28 PM
Pillowcase done. Daughter giving it a test drive. She approves. So much fun!!! Excellent tutorial!! Easy to follow. Can't wait until the next step. You're great! Thanks.
Posted by: Sophie | March 08, 2010 at 03:28 PM
Can you give us a hint on how we will be making the holes to crochet in? I've been asking shop owners/workers how they would do it and I wanna know how you do it. pleeeeeze, pretty please...Robin
Posted by: Robin Brown | March 08, 2010 at 04:00 PM
Very pretty fabric. Okay--I'm off to wash my stash. of fabric. Stash kinda sounds like moustache and that's a whole, different image.
Posted by: Sharrieboberry | March 08, 2010 at 05:14 PM
I am starting now - I love the look of these beautiful pillowcases, and it is many years since I have crochet ... but I am sure I will remember how (fingers crossed). Going to my fabric stash right now ...
Thank you for a great tutorial
Judy
Posted by: CatnCartCrafts | March 08, 2010 at 07:26 PM
oh goodness, i love this pillowcase! i want to make one, but i know i won't have time anytime in the near or fairly far future....:(
oh well, i'll stare at yours!
now, i can definitely eat the chocolates though.....DEF!! and way more than 2 1/2!!! heeheeehe. :)
Posted by: tasha | March 09, 2010 at 01:26 AM
That is just the coolest pillow case ever! Your instructions were perfect!
Posted by: Jeannie | March 09, 2010 at 08:11 AM
Pretty sure this is my new favorite pillow case pattern! Just made a set from a fun floral fabric and they are just so cute even without the crochet edging. I am so looking forward to Monday! Thanks so much for the wonderful instructions!
Posted by: Vickie | March 09, 2010 at 02:23 PM
I love this pillow! Your blog is fantastic, and I especially enjoy the parts about being told when to eat chocolate.... although I barely ever need someone to remind me!
Posted by: Danielle | March 09, 2010 at 02:55 PM
Love how you rate your project according to the chocolate level - you and I are on the same page!! Your pillowcase looks so sweet - I was going to resist your sweet project but I can see I need to add it to my list!
Posted by: Lisa | March 11, 2010 at 06:03 PM
"It must be the way bed linens are meant to be, at least the ones that cost too much to drool on while napping. You know, the posh ones."
LOL I love it! I love following your tutorials because it is so much fun just reading them! I finally got all my supplies tonight. Well, almost all, after picking some fabric from my stash I went to get my yarn. Picked a pretty matching one but as soon as I got to the counter I remembered it needed to be 100% cotton & machine washable. The craft store I was at didn't have a nice selection so I'll have to make a trip to the nice yarn store the next town over sometime next week. *sigh*
In the meantime I'll make my "posh pillowcase" (Never bought anything from Pottery Barn but have dreamed about it LOL)
Posted by: Jennwith4 | March 11, 2010 at 09:11 PM
oh my gosh! this is so great, cassie! my pillowcases are awesome. thanks for the great instructions!
Posted by: randi | March 12, 2010 at 01:49 PM
Horah! I have managed to make a gorgeous pillowcase. Thankyou, your instructions made it way easy.
Can not wait for monday :)
Posted by: Tracey | March 13, 2010 at 01:35 AM
Golly Gosh that's so very Posh!
Posted by: jenny | March 13, 2010 at 09:51 PM
It's just sooooooo much fun! Greetings from Germany
Posted by: Claudia | March 14, 2010 at 12:08 AM
My first time sewing and it seems to have worked! It was a bit funny trying to figure out what "turn down a 3/8" hem meant! I'm still not sure I have it right. Did you fold 3/8" twice to make that hem? The picture doesn't show any raw edges, so it looks like you must have folded over some, then folded over 3/8".
Great way to learn and I'm very happy with the result! Thank you.
Posted by: Barbara | March 14, 2010 at 12:11 PM
I managed to complete sewing my first pillow. Can't wait for future instructions.
Posted by: v.j. kohout | March 15, 2010 at 06:31 AM
How much fabric did you begin with? I also am wondering about the 3/8" hem as posted above. These look great and I love the fabric choice.
Posted by: Denise Ingram | March 17, 2010 at 12:54 PM
See the "Ready to Rumble" post on March 1st -- it gives the fabric requirements + an option for using an accent fabric. You'll need 1 1/8 yards fabric (or, 1 1/8 + 1 yard of another for the focus panel -- and that gives you enough fabric to make TWO cases).
Posted by: Valerie in CS | March 18, 2010 at 08:07 AM
I love you. No, really, I do. Not in a weird-stalker way, but in a I-want-to-be-you way. I've been wondering how to crochet onto material for ages and have concluded that I am not quite smart enough to figure that out! You have saved the day. Now...if we could only get you to fix the health care situation...probably not enough dove chocolates for that! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: DM | March 23, 2010 at 06:34 AM
Hi Cassie, I just want to say thanks for your wonderful instructions, I love your pillowcase pattern. Now I"m spoiled and want all my pillowcases to be Posh ~with a pocket!
Posted by: Shawn | March 26, 2010 at 05:51 PM
I can't wait to make these! Love the Fried Green Tomatoes reference as well: Tah-wan-duh! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Christine | April 09, 2010 at 05:05 PM
I'm thrilled! These posh pillowcases are so easy!!! I do not sew, but I do have a sewing machine .... these were so simple even I could follow the directions and now, eveyone I know is getting posh pillowcases as gifts!!! I'm even sending two to my brother in Iraq! Thanks Cassie!!!
PS. I absolutely love your blog!
Posted by: beth | July 09, 2010 at 09:10 AM
You make great tutorials!!Thank you so much!!!! Wishing lots of love and happy sewing!
Posted by: angela silva | October 08, 2010 at 02:35 PM
I'm a little confused. Did you fold twice to make the 3/8" hem? I'm not sure what to do after you match the raw edges.
Posted by: lynne | October 23, 2010 at 05:48 PM
lovely edging, might have a go at these!
Posted by: Justso20 | November 02, 2010 at 06:04 PM
Hi there,
I just found your wonderful blog.
I am excited to make these adorable Posh Pillowcases. My mental gears are clanking and churning at the possible fabrics and crochet trim combo possibilities.
I have visions of my husband resting his manly cranium on something floral and feminine or maybe groovy.
I think this style of pillowcase, with the flap or pocket to hide the pillow is called "The Housewife Pillowcase." Or it's very close to the Housewife Pillow case.
Don't laugh, I am serious!
Posted by: Lolly | November 29, 2010 at 08:30 AM
This was a wonderful tutorial. Thank you so much! I made a pair for my 3 yr. old daughters room! thank you again!
Posted by: Jenny K | February 11, 2012 at 06:14 AM
thank you so much for your tutorial. The pillow turned out so perfectly and it s so much comfier than any bought one.
Posted by: Katha | May 24, 2012 at 04:36 AM
eek! I just tore my first piece of fabric. Never did that before...always thought it would go crooked. Can't wait to finish the project now, but luckily for my sleep, I can only go so far before I need a sewing machine...and I'm using my mom's, which is 2 hours away. Thanks for posting this tutorial!!
Posted by: Dawn | July 12, 2012 at 08:24 PM
Video tutorial, please!!!
Posted by: Ledesa | August 12, 2012 at 11:41 PM
are these directions for a standard pillow? If so, what would the measurements be for a king size pillow? Thank you so much for all your time posting such great directions.
Posted by: Carol Hensch | October 21, 2012 at 11:14 PM
Hi there! I'm all set to make these, and I just realized that I don't know what size they are? I need to make King sized -- I can adjust myself, but I need to know where I am starting from! :-) Thank you so much! ~Angela~
Posted by: Angela @ Cottage Magpie | February 16, 2013 at 10:08 PM
your worka are beautiful:))
Posted by: allapples | March 08, 2013 at 01:11 AM
really nice tutorial. love to have pretty pillowcases!
Posted by: Tish | March 14, 2013 at 07:15 AM
This is my very favorite tutorial, including the crochet edge. I look forward to trying this. I do not have a sewing machine. Do you do embroidery?
Thank you so much!!! Have a lovely day-
Posted by: amy | April 10, 2013 at 09:38 AM
I am so happy that I found your blog. I have been happily creating pillowcases for the last few days.
Thank you so much
Hugs Pam
Posted by: Pam J | July 04, 2013 at 08:04 AM
Love the detailed sewing instructions and contrasting fabric!
Posted by: Baking Friends Forever | January 25, 2014 at 04:25 AM