About that blanket stitch...
Thanks so much for all your comments and suggestions regarding the blanket stitch on the Posh Pillowcase. I tried almost all your suggestions. Here's my take:
Skip Stitch Blade: Ummm. No thanks. Some people love this blade. My insane battle with perfection would not allow me to embrace this blade. I did not like the holes it left in the pillowcase. In fact, I have a pillowcase that will never leave the house. It will probably be repurposed into wallets or some such thing.
Sharp Hook: See Skip Blade above.
Single Length of Yarn (photo above): This was a viable option. The yarn did not tangle and was easy to pull through the fabric even when it was a long length. A single length of yarn also seems to provide an adequate foundation. I personally do not like the look of the single length as well as the doubled yarn.
So what is my new solution? Sew the blanket stitch with a shorter-length doubled yarn in two separate pieces. Start your stitch as you normally would in the "pocket" by the seam. Sew around to the other seam ending in the "pocket". Remove your needle. Thread the second piece of yarn. Join your second length of doubled yarn to the first. Continue around the pillow case and join to your original yarn. You end up with two knots instead of one. I'm okay with that. This is probably only make sense to those of you that have tried the tutorial. So sorry if you are reading and wondering.
Now if your head is hurting from reading my drivel and you've decided to NEVER EVER EVER try to make a Posh Pillowcase, I have good news. I just listed ten new pillowcase in the shop. Woo Hoo!
Happy day,
Cassie
Thank you so much for your research! I wish I would have waited for your reviews! I ordered the mentioned blade and hook and when they came, I looked at them and thought they would be questionable and wasn't interested in using them - wish I could return them - they won't get used. I am still excited to try the tutorial and will do soon! Even if it tangles, I will do it because I love the finished result and how they look! I like the doubled yarn look like you do so will do whatever it takes to get it done! :o) Thanks again for the wonderful tutorial - that was so generous of you! I never would have figured it out on my own and I'd never heard of a housewife pillowcase and am excited to make one!
Posted by: Bari Jo | March 29, 2012 at 09:56 PM
Beautiful crochet work and I love the Denyse Schmidt fabrics you chose :)
Posted by: cynthia | March 29, 2012 at 10:07 PM
You do such pretty work.
Posted by: Gumbo Lily | March 29, 2012 at 10:19 PM
They're beautiful.
And I agree with the solution you have settled on. You do very nice work.
Posted by: Natalie, the Chickenblogger | March 30, 2012 at 06:05 AM
No wonder you've been so quiet! You've been making pillowcases! (Thanks for the reminder, I have fabric waiting...) I'd never heard of the blade or sharp crochet hook -- although it seems like that crochet hook would have been a good option. Thanks for the review though -- two lengths of yarn seems like a great option. LOVE LOVE LOVE those pillowcases!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | March 30, 2012 at 06:24 AM
saw the initial comments about the blade, but couldn't figure out why anyone would use it since it CUTS THE FABRIC! (you really tried that?!)
the best suggestion is to end up with two knots. still love those pillowcases, and keep planning to make a few sets of my own. someday.
Posted by: pbach1 | March 30, 2012 at 08:53 AM
Hi there - can you recommend the best yarns to use for the crochet edging. I did find the baby bamboo a while back but can't find it now in other colors. Do you have recommendations on what you've found that works the best and washes up and wears the best? Thank you so much for the help!
Posted by: Bari Jo | March 30, 2012 at 12:35 PM
Hi I’m Heather! Please email me when you get a chance! I have a question about your blog. HeatherVonsj(at)gmail(dot)com
Posted by: Heather | March 30, 2012 at 01:27 PM
Cassie, just wanted to let you know that I enjoyed making your posh pillowcases, and went on to make a pair of them. My fabric was a lavendar print floral, and crocheted with a lavendar yarn. I love the look with the crochet edging. Yes the blanket stitch made with the long strand of doubled yarn took time, but it was worth it. I think you really need the double to keep the edging stable. Don't think I'd do it any different. Thank-you again for the pattern.
Posted by: Cheryl | March 30, 2012 at 08:14 PM
Great solution! I used your tutorial, chocolates and all, with great success. I like to use #3 perle cotton instead of yarn, and did resort to a shorter length.
Thanks you !
Posted by: Bridgette | March 30, 2012 at 08:58 PM
Hi there! I think your pillow cases with the crocheted edgings are beautiful! I use the Sharp Crochet Hook all the time and it does not leave holes in the fabric, it just moves the fibers out of the way, like a large needle would do. It is a super quick way to crochet edgings.
Posted by: Jessica | April 01, 2012 at 07:53 PM
I've made the cases and I love them. My first attempt I used hand wash only yarn and then switched to basic machine washable, not as delicate, but still pretty. The one thing I did differently was to cut some fusible interfacing for the edges. This helps me with my OCD measuring of the edge and after washing doesn't allow the fabric to bunch up in the blanket stitches.
Posted by: michele | April 04, 2012 at 04:02 PM
I love your pillowcases and beautiful crochet edges! I've recently picked up my crochet hook again and....I'm hooked!
At the moment I've been crocheting around fleece blankets and the skip stitch blade works like a charm.....ON FLEECE.
Thanks for the heads-up on using them on fabric! Looking forward to trying your new method on some pillowcases! Thanks!
Posted by: Tammy | April 05, 2012 at 09:43 PM
Beautiful pillowcases. Enjoyed your article and all the tips.
Posted by: Love To Crochet | April 07, 2012 at 10:38 PM
Ces bordures au crochet sont vraiment très belles. Bravo!
Peony
Posted by: peony and co | April 17, 2012 at 04:26 PM
Love these pillow cases. I've been making them too....not for sale, but for my own home and gifts. I've used
Cascade Pima Cotton for the edging, what do you use to edge yours with? I'd like to use whatever washes the best.
Your pillowcases and color choices are all so happy. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Marcia | June 17, 2012 at 09:02 AM
Cassie,
Thank you for the crochet how-to! You have
created a crochet monster and I couldn't be
happier! How do you do the other edging (not
the scalloped one)? Would it be possible for
you to email the details?
cmartin1131@yahoo.com
Your use of colors and patterns is so very
inspiring and cheerful! Thanks for brightening
my day!
Catherine
Posted by: Catherine Martin | June 20, 2012 at 09:03 PM