I am on a mission... A mission to find a better way to put the blanket stitch around the edge of the Posh Pillowcase. Right now, the On the Edge tutorials (See them in my sidebar?) rate the Firm Foundation as a three-chocolate job on the difficulty scale. Yeah, right. I need a king-size Snickers every time I put the foundation around the edge. All that yarn twisting and tangling tempts me to blurt out expletives. I don't, by the way, I just WANT to.
I have TEN new pillowcases just about ready to go in the shop. This pillowcase binge has not been good for my waistline, people. I am a little too 'girlish' for my jeans right now, if you know what I mean. Spanx are looking like they might become a reality of my wardrobe. Nooooooooo. I LOATHE tight. I must stop the madness. I will.
The good news? I think I've had a break through on how to make the ol' blanket stitch more manageable. Will share more soon...
Crochet the edge. There are two options: either get a crochet hook that is pointed on the end (specifically for going through fabric), or get a tool that punches holes around the edge. I forget what they are called, but I'll look around and see if I can find what I'm thinking of. :)
I've also seen on Pinterest the idea of sewing a lace insert on the edge and crocheting into the lace.
There is NO WAY I would ever do the pillowcase edge like you do. :D I'm too lazy. ;-)
Posted by: Tammy | March 06, 2012 at 03:30 PM
Sharp crochet hook: http://sharpcrochethook.com/
The other tool I was thinking of is called a "skip-stitch blade" and replaces your rotary blade in a rotary cutter. You can see how it is used here: http://skipstitch.com/instructions.htm
Hope that helps. :)
Posted by: Tammy | March 06, 2012 at 03:45 PM
I want you to know who helpful your crocheted egde tutorial has been to me! I am currently adding a cute edge to a set of dishtowels I embroidered. I have found that if I double the floss and add just 1 more length it's just right.
I will standing by to see what you come up with :)
Posted by: Bridgette | March 06, 2012 at 03:55 PM
I didn't like the way the blanket stitch looked, so I used embroidery floss to put on the blanket stitch. It looks so much better! I think it will hold okay too.
Posted by: Delirious | March 06, 2012 at 04:09 PM
Too funny!
Posted by: Jen | March 06, 2012 at 07:46 PM
Ooooh, I can't wait to hear the solution, 'cause you might not blurt out expletives, but I do. Not that the difficulty would stop me from making those awesome pillowcases, but anything easier will be good.
Now I'm off ... singing "I'm too girlish for my jeans" to the tune of "I'm too sexy for my jeans". I'm just plain ol' too fat for MY jeans, but I'm not going to sing THAT!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | March 06, 2012 at 08:06 PM
I love pretty pillowcases :):) oh so satisfying that trim.
for my knitting machine i probably need a years worth of chocolate, the patience it takes!!!!
B x
Posted by: Barnicles | March 07, 2012 at 03:56 AM
I am eagerly awaiting the epiphany on the blanket stitch. I have found that I simply work with a shorter length of yarn and so do not get all twisted up as I go. I am looking forward to finding out if there is another way. From one "girlish" girl to another, hang in there. Carolina
Posted by: The Muse of The Day | March 07, 2012 at 05:25 AM
Ooh that snippet of your pillowcase looks divine, love the colours.
You made me laugh about your waistline...I actually use a project to stop me eating as an afternoon knitting is an afternoon not snacking on the biscuits in the cupboard!
Exercise around the crafting, that's what I do all my spare time is spent doing one or the other! - you will see my knitting and running adventures on my blog fleur.blogspot.com.
Happy Crafting
Fleur xx
Posted by: Fleur Cotton | March 07, 2012 at 06:19 AM
Ohhh, so pretty :). Can't wait to hear back about making the ol' blanket stitch more manageable.
Posted by: NeshaShaw | March 07, 2012 at 08:15 AM
So exciting to see your post today. Right now i am trying to master it all...the blanket stitch and the edgings, using your tutorials. So fun, but takes some practice. I'm off to buy a smaller size crochet hook and some lighter weight yarn. Can't wait to hear what you've figured out about the blanket stitch. Have a wonderful day.
Posted by: Carol M | March 07, 2012 at 08:25 AM
Oh gosh, someone on one of the blogs I follow was just promoting a pointy-headed crochet hook for exactly this kind of thing. I think the technique was to insert through cloth, single crochet, then chain three to the next place.
I made a couple of pillowcases for Christmas (using your technique, naturally) and the fabric turned out to be so tough to pierce that it took FOREVER just to do the foundation. Can't wait til you share your new solution!
Posted by: Anna | March 07, 2012 at 09:07 AM
Have you heard of the sharp crochet hook? It is new. Go to sharpcrochethook.com. I live your pillow cases!
Posted by: Melissa | March 07, 2012 at 09:16 AM
can't wait to hear of your solution. Agreed that the mile-long yarn needed to do a blanket stitch the whole round of the foundation on the pillowcases is a PAIN of twisting yarn, ack!
Posted by: Karin | March 07, 2012 at 09:30 AM
I won't even try the crochet pillowcases after my disaster in trying it. God doesn't want me saying those naughty words so I just quit. I'll be watching what you do though!
Posted by: Gumbo Lily | March 07, 2012 at 04:03 PM
I am excited to see what you have found. I LOVE your tutorials and have been wanting to make these pillowcases for months now but have been intimidated about putting that foundation row in - it looks great and I totally get how to do it - I am just procrastinating! I am excited to see what you have come up with. Thank you so much for the wonderful tutorials - they are amazing! :O)
Posted by: Bari Jo | March 07, 2012 at 09:17 PM
Looking forward to your next entry - what will you come up with? New ideas are always welcome and if it's a help even better! Have a wonderful day - greetings from Germany
Posted by: Claudia | March 07, 2012 at 11:28 PM
My husband's aunt would file the end of a crochet hook so it would easily poke into fabric. It was very similar to the link someone posted, only cheaper.
Posted by: Patty | March 10, 2012 at 08:14 AM
So can't wait to hear your solution! I love your pillowcases and I absolutely love how they look. They take a long time to complete - but are so adorable! I use your technic for baby blankets, so they take FOREVER. :)
Posted by: Shauna Leavitt | March 10, 2012 at 12:45 PM
I have a confession to make. I had never actually read your tutorial ... I just made my pillow cases by winging it. The blanket stitch went on with shorter threads, as I mentioned before, but before I put it through with the needle, I went all the way around the edge with an awl. The holes were "ready" for my needle and yarn, so that went faster, and then I used the shorter thread so as not to get tangled up. Yes I have a couple of extra nots, but I never even gave 2 seconds to the thought that it might bother me, it hasn't yet. I had to go back through my archives to see when I had done it (April 2010), http://themuseoftheday.typepad.com/the-muse-of-the-day/2010/04/lady-spring-got-me-started.html. The couple of knots haven't crossed my mind since. I also used the same awl technique with shorter thread on that lampshade I made, http://themuseoftheday.typepad.com/the-muse-of-the-day/2011/03/my-ta-da-moment.html, back in march of last year. It worked well for me. I am hoping that your trick is even better - ie. faster and easier. Will keep checking your blog. Carolina
Posted by: The Muse of The Day | March 11, 2012 at 08:21 AM
Love your tutorials,I can't wait to try them. Do you always use cotton yarn for your edging?
Posted by: Kathleen Armstrong | March 12, 2012 at 08:51 AM
Just stopped by to tell you I like it when you look too "girlish" for your jeans!!! That means I can see some really cool stuff!! Your blog is very inspirational!!! Thanks for the beautiful pillowcase tutorial!!!!
Posted by: Loretta | March 19, 2012 at 06:34 PM