pillowcase pattern

©2010 You Can Make This

www.youcanmakethis.com

Main Case: 1 3/4 Yards (Medium Print)

Trim: 1/4 Yard (Small Print)

Cuff: 3/4 Yard (Medium Print)

Coordinating Thread

Basic Sewing Supplies & Equipment

Optional:

Rotary cutter, ruler, & mat

Supplies: (For Two Pillowcases ~ 31” x 21” each)

Double-Cuffed

Pillowcase

~

Featuring French Seams

And an Elegant Reverse Double Cuff.

Downloaded by: Kelsey Brasel - 2/2/2010 - DUPLICATION PROHIBITED - Downloaded at www.youcanquiltthis.com



Main Case Cut 2 - 57” x 22”

Trim Cut 2 - 42” x 4”

Cuff Cut 2 - 42” x 10”

Cutting Instructions: (For Two Pillowcases)

Seam Allowances:

The seam allowances for this pattern are listed in each section. Please read carefully and follow the seam allow-

ances given. Where we’ve used the term “Scant 1/4” seam allowance…,” we mean, “Slightly less than 1/4” seam

allowance…”

Trim Each Seam as Sewn:

Check your work after each piece is cut and seam is sewn, and trim raw edges to be exactly even. Trim stray or

frayed threads from the fabric to ensure none poke out through the French seams.

Fabric Choices

Use quilter’s cottons, poplins, stretch poplins, percale, sateen, or flannel. This case would also be stunning as an

accent using silks.

Notes:

Why use a French Seam on a Pillowcase?

French seams are used in applications where it is undesirable to see stitched edges of fabric from the outside of

the project. They also add an element of stiffness to the seams. We’ve used French seams on the cuffs of the pil-

lowcases so that there are no visible seams, even when the cuff is open at the end of the pillow. In addition, the

French seams keep the cuff from being floppy, adding an elegant, stylish finish to the case. After all, why add an

artistic cuff to a pillowcase if it won’t stand up and be noticed?

When sewing French seams, you’ll be sewing through more layers of fabric than you would with a traditional

seam finish. It’s helpful to use a new, sharp needle, a slightly elongated stitch, and if available, a walking foot

(commonly used in quilting to assist the fabric through the feed dogs). Sew slowly to prevent skipped stitches,

Press often during the construction process, and if necessary, tame bulkiness using a rubber mallet.

Never done a French seam before? It’s easy—we guide you through the process, step-by-step!

You’ll love the way your pillowcase looks and feels using French seam construction!

French

Seam




Assembly: (One Case)

Main Case:

1. With wrong-sides-together, fold the fabric

for the main case in half, align raw edges,

and press to a sharp crease.

2. Unfold and turn the fabric so that right-

sides are together. Using a 1/2” seam al-

lowance, stitch the two long sides.

3. Finish the seams with a serger or zig-zag

stitch.

4. Turn the case so that right-sides are out,

carefully working out the corners.

5. Press the seams flat. Set aside.

Trim:

6. With wrong-sides-together and raw edges

aligned, fold the trim in half lengthwise and

press to a sharp crease.

7. Unfold and with right-sides-together, us-

ing a 1/4” seam allowance, stitch the short

edges together, creating a loop. Finish the

seam with a serger or zig-zag.

8. Press the seam to one side.

9. Re-fold the trim along the crease line with

wrong sides together. Re-press the crease

if necessary.

10. Carefully aligning raw edges and seams, pin

the circular trim piece to the right side of the

pillowcase.

11. Using a scant 1/4” seam allowance, stitch

the trim to the case. If necessary, trim the

resulting seam so the raw edges are even and

trim any stray fibers from the raw edge.

Wrong-sides-together; press to a crease.

Raw Edges

Aligned

Stitch the two

long sides.

Fabric is right-

sides-together.

Fold




Cuff (French Seam):

12. With wrong-sides-together and aligning

raw edges, fold the cuff in half lengthwise

and press to a sharp crease.

13. Unfold and turn so the fabric is right-sides-

together. Using a 1/4” seam allowance,

stitch the short edges together, forming a

loop. Finish the seam with a serger or zig-

zag.

14. Press the seam to one side.

15. Re-fold the cuff on the crease line with

wrong-sides-together.

16. Aligning seams and raw edges, pin the cuff

to the wrong side (inside) of the case.

17. Using a scant 1/4” seam allowance, stitch

the cuff to the case and trim piece.

18. Trim edges even and trim any stray fibers

from the raw edge.

19. Unfold the cuff. The raw, seamed edge

will be on the right side of the pillow-

case. Press the seam toward the trim

piece, flattening it as much as possible.

20. Fold the cuff back to the right side of the

case, using your fingers to roll the seam

flat, and press.

21. To encase the raw seam, use a 3/8” seam

allowance from the folded (seamed) edge.

22. Turn back the cuff and inspect the seam to

ensure the raw edges are enclosed into the

seam. Press the seam allowance towards

the case.

Cuff

Trim

Case

After unfolding the

cuff, the raw, seamed

edge will be on the

outside of the case.

Folded

(seamed)

Edge




Topstitching:

Topstitch the cuff and the trim, close to

the folded edges.

Topstitch the trim over the turned-

under French seam allowance. Tip:

When stitching over a bulky seam, it’s

best to put the seam directly between

the presser foot and the feed dogs., not

off to the side of the presser foot. Stitch

very slowly to prevent skipped stitches.

Finishing:

Topstitching




Want pre-cut kits for these pillow cases?

Our friends at Over the Rainbow can pro-

vide you with pre-assembled kits and can

also tell you how to donate finished pillow

cases to Children’s Hospital!


http://www.overrainbow.com/cgi-bin/Store/store.cgi?=submenu-2000.html&product=pillowcasechallenge

http://www.overrainbow.com/cgi-bin/Store/store.cgi?=submenu-2000.html&product=pillowcasechallenge

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pillowcase pattern

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