Panda Pillowcases

It's been a while since I posted something I have sewed.  I actually feel the lack, especially when I'm looking for what pattern I used for a particular project or what size of something I made for my girls.  I don't know if I will keep it up but I figured I would at least post these pillowcases.

I made these two panda pillowcases for my panda loving niece.  Her birthday is this month and I don't think I've made anything for her yet.  I used my French seamed pillowcase method that I always use.  You can find it here.  I've made so many of these pillowcases and they last forever.  

This main fabric and the flange fabric is from fabric.com and it is surprisingly soft.  The trim fabric is from a local quilting shop and has gold flecks.  I used a 5 inch trim, which is bigger than I normally use, but I wanted the busyness of the two fabrics separated more.  

I almost always really like these pillowcases.  For something so simple to sew, it gives a lot of satisfaction.

Beginner French Seam Pillowcase Tutorial

I'm making pillowcases for Christmas for the travel pillows my daughters and nieces have (Don't worry, they all get plenty of 'real' gifts and even some of those from me) and I thought I'd give a simple tutorial.  I've given measurements before, but these are a really simple way of making a high quality pillowcase.  After Christmas, I plan on making myself some body pillow cases since my body pillow that is actually supportive and good for my back doesn't actually fit in pillow cases that you can buy for body pillows (though they fit the cheapo $10 body pillows fine).

First, cut and iron your main fabric.

Travel case:  18 inches x 28 inches.

Standard case:  27 inches x 45 inches (or as close as you can get it width-wise).

Body pillow case:  50 inches x 45 inches (I wouldn't choose a fabric that is much less than 44 inch in width).

If adding trim, cut and iron the trim

Travel case:  3 inches x 28 inches.

Standard case:  3 inches x 45 inches.

Body pillow case:  3 inches by 45 inches.

Cut and iron the flange.

Travel case:  7 inches x 28 inches.

Standard case:  12 inches x 45 inches.

Body pillow case:  20 inches by 45 inches.

Next, fold the trim piece in half with wrong sides together and iron.

Place the flange fabric face up.  Place the main fabric face up on top of it lining up the edge.  Place the folded trim piece face up on that and again line up the edge.

Roll up the main fabric to where there is plenty of room to fold the flange in two.

Fold the flange over and line up all the edges.

Sew across the top (I use 1/4 inch seam here).

Pull all the fabric out of the tube.

Unroll the tube.

Iron.

Now for the French seams.  This gives both sides a nicer and stronger finish.  Fold the fabric in two with wrong sides together.

Sew around using a seam 1/8-1/4 inch smaller than your usual seam.  (If you are a precision sewing, use 1/8 inch seam like I do.  A beginner should use 1/4 inch seam.)  On this pillow I actually turned my trim up which is why the flange looks smaller than the previous pictures.  Trim the seam to 1/8 of an inch or if it is frayed.

Turn inside out and press.

Sew again.  (I use 1/4 inch seam here.  Beginners should probably use 1/2 inch).

Turn back right side out and press.  In the even that there are threads or part of the earlier seam sticking out, you can simply turn back inside out and sew the seam a little further out at that point.

Here is a view of the final pillow case on the pillow.

Edited 12/19 to add trimming suggestions for stray threads or showing seams.

Pillowcases

Since finishing the t-shirts for my nieces and nephews, I've been making pillowcases. One standard sized pillow case.

And a bunch of travel sized pillowcases are in the works. Each of my girls has a travel pillow, but this was the first one for Darth Baby.

I finished off the middle one in this picture (which the nerdlet quickly claimed as hers) and should finish off the two others tonight or tomorrow.

The measurements for the standard pillowcase:
27" x 45" for the main piece
3-6" x 45" for the flange
12" x 45" for the end fabric (this is completely folded over so the end length is less than 6")
*you can go as low as 40" for the width of each, but no lower, and I'd suggest at least 42"

For the travel pillowcases:
14" x 28" for the main piece
3" x 28" for the flange, if using one
14" x 28" for the end fabric

Want a pillowcase, but don't want to make one yourself? Christie has added two pillowcases (made by Lori, a mom to a teenage with Ds) to her fundraising giveaway and each entry is $1.00. You can see the two pillowcase here and here. Of course, there are still other choices on the fundraiser other than the pillowcases, or you can just donate. There are only five days left though.