Saturday, October 2, 2010

Super Pretty, Super Easy Pillowcases

Here's a fun and easy way to add some colour to any bedroom.

Supplies needed:
-.65metres (26") of 45" wide cotton fabric for body of pillowcase
-.3metres (12") of 45" wide cotton fabric for band of pillowcase
-matching thread
-scissors
-measuring tape or ruler
-sewing machine or serger



Steps:
1)Trim each of your fabrics so that they are 105cm(41") wide


2)Fold both pieces of fabric, right sides together.

3)Sew or serge  a regular seam along the long open side of the fabric body.  Now, sew a seam along one short end to create a bag.


4)Sew the short ends of the band fabric together to create a tube.



5)Fold the band fabric in half so that wrong sides are touching and you get a long skinny rectangle.

6)Turn the body fabric out so that the right side of the fabric is on the outside of the bag.

7)Place the band fabric tube over the open edge of the body fabric so that all rough edges are meeting.  Your fabric sandwich should look like this (band, band, body, body, band, band).


8)Sew or serge all around the top of the bag.  You should be sewing 2 layers of band and one layer of the body together.

9)Flip the band out towards the end and press.  Tah dah!  You've just made a pretty pillowcase with a band!

DIY pillowcase, pillowcase, pillow, make it yourself pillowcase, easy pillowcase pattern, easy pillowcase, million pillowcase challenge

I added some decorative stitching along the edge of mine to give it an extra special something.  You could add more layers of banding and graduate them for extra effect, or try some wide ribbon or other embellishments. 

Each pillow takes less than 20 minutes to create and you can probably look in the remnant bin, either at home or at your local fabric store, for a real deal on the fabric.

These pillows look great in my room and add a little colour to my white bed but, I'm not keeping them for myself.  I'm donating them to one of our three local shelters for the homeless.  In fact, with the help of our local Fabricland and Quilt Guild we're hoping to make enough new pillowcases for each pillow in our three emergencies shelters by the end of October.  Fabricland has been generous enough to give free fabric remnants and prizes and the Quilt Guild ladies are sewing up a storm.  I'll let you know how it all works out in a few weeks!  I can't wait to see all of the pretty designs that everyone is going to come up with.

If you live in the US and would like to do something similar you can get involved in the Million Pillowcase Challenge and add your donations to the tally.  Click here for loads of free patterns!

Of course, these make great last minute Christmas gifts as well!  Let me know how you personalize yours~

(This project will be posted throughout the week at the linky parties from the linky party tab above.  Check out the sites for more great ideas!)

 BetweenNapsonthePorch was my top referrer again  last week, so go visit Susan and
check out Metamorphosis Monday for other fab ideas from her linky party!


(The biggest linky party happens on Tuesdays over at todayscreativeblog.)

9 comments:

Mayya @ Sew Chic and Unique said...

Thank is so pretty and great way to add a pop of colour too. Love that you shared the tutorial :)

Thanks for linking to Sew Crafty Saturday

Pam said...

Thanks for the information and tutorial. I just may sign up. What a great way to share!

Unknown said...

Terrific job! Love that fabric! Thanks for stopping by and linking to Anything Related!
{Rebekah}

Cheryl said...

I remember so fondly the pillow cases that my mother made for us when we were little. I think I'll make some for Christmas this year.

Thanks!

http://ldsmomtomany.blogspot.com/

Robin Johnson said...

I just love making pillowcases. I have never added a band on the end. Love the look. Thanks for the inspiration.

KimMalk said...

This is very cute. I often think of using pillowcase fabric for other projects, but not the other way around.

janimal said...

SO cute. It's so very cool of you to make these for shelters. Very cool.

Terrell said...

Oh what a fantastic idea!!! Way to go, girly! I'm so excited to be your newest follower and I would love to have you as a friend at Frou Frou Decor! Be sure to add your fun finds at my weekly Fabulous Friday Finds party! Hope to see you there!
Hugs and all the best,
~Terrell @ Frou Frou Decor~

Etcetorize said...

Thanks for joining Terrell! I checked out your site and will definitely be returning on Friday. Thanks for the invite~

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