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Learning how to sew a pillowcase is a fun and easy DIY project, for both beginners and experienced sewists. It’s a great way to let your creativity shine or a budget-friendly way to match and update your bedroom decor.
There are so many ways to customize your homemade pillowcases, that the limit will be your imagination. Choose fabrics, patterns, or colors that match your decor.
This is also a great way to use some of those fabric scraps you’ve been saving from another project. If you are feeling adventurous, you can add some ruffles, piping, or more to your creation. Try a reversible pillowcase with this tutorial here.
And why stop at just one style of pillowcase? We have 20 of the best ways to sew a pillowcase for yourself. Which one do you want to try first?
If you’re looking for a basic pillowcase design, clearly spelled out in wonderful detail – then check out this tutorial by the queen of AMAZING tutorials – MADE.
Here is a pillowcase that hides the pillow inside, which I think is fantastic! Tutorial from A Spoonful of Sugar.
Also from A Spoonful of Sugar, this Hexie Pillowcase has beautiful detail! These instructions are great if you are wanting something truly special.
These pillowcases look simple enough for any level of sewer, but are so beautiful with the added trim and floral fabrics. From At Home on the Bay
This reversible pillowcase can be worn inside out and still looks beautiful! 2 completely different looks in 1 case. Tutorial here.
Here is a 3-in-1 pillowcase tutorial, from Ashley at Make it and Love it. You can choose between basic style, same color cuff, or tri-color cuff. Any way, these instructions won’t lead you astray.
If you have a whole bunch of lovely fabrics, this is a great idea for mixing and matching and making a whole coordinated set for your home. (By The Purl Bee).
My kids would adore this pillowcase with a pocket. Great for sleepovers and traveling – by Just Another Hang Up.
This pretty open-ended pillowcase with ruffled and frayed edging would work great for your bed or as an accent pillow on furniture.
The Seasoned Homemaker shows you how easy a pillowcase can be by using the “burrito method”. I’ve also heard it be called “hot dog method” or “magic method”. Whatever you call it, this is a beautiful pillowcase with french seams and a very finished look.
I love these road trip pillowcases from Amazing Mae. Another one my kids would really get a kick out of.
If you have a thing for vintage, this sweet and simple pillowcase from Pleasant View Schoolhouse should do the trick.
Want something super duper quick? This 2-step pillowcase, also from MADE, was meant for you.
Here is an adorable mini-pillowcase with a minky edge from Grandma’s Chalkboard. Another great-for-traveling pillow.
I can’t get enough of these pleated pillowcases! This pillowcase from Sew4Home is perfect if you want a pillowcase to make someone feel really special.
If you are interested in sprucing up a store bought pillowcase, simply stitch some trim on the cuff and feel just as good as you would about making one from scratch. Another great idea from At Home on the Bay.
You can even buy a store bought basic pillowcase and spruce it up with pretty trim! Tutorial on TIDBITS!
So many to choose from! Let me know in the comments if you found one you are dying to make!
Happy sewing!
Love the variety and different take on style. I’m making my nieces and nephews pillow cases for Christmas, as well as my 95 year old aunt.
How much fabric is needed for a pattern print standard pillow case?
Thx. Such great ideas. Got some fun work to do.
Beautiful ideas! Can’t wait to try a few. They would make great gifts or just to spruce up your current bedding.
Thank you!
That is some beautiful work. I got some great ideas from this article. Thanks and keep sharing.
These are beautiful! I can’t decide on one so I’ll make all of them. I make pillowcases for children with cancer, I know these will put a smile on their faces.
These are beautiful! I can’t decide on one so I’ll make all of them. I make pillowcases for children with cancer, I know these will put a smile on their faces. 🙂
Really great ideas. Now I know what everyone is getting for Christmas
That is awesome.
I like the honesty and oddball details in your review, haha. I’m kinda strange with my pillows – I’ve had my current one about 4 years now because I’ve never found another that matches it’s particular feel.
I highly dislike memory foam pillows because I like a different level of firmness every night. This causes me to bunch my pillow sometimes so all the filling is towards the middle and feels firmer, or fluff it and let the filling spread out with the weight of my head to feel softer. Generally, I don’t mind if the filling feels lumpy as long as they aren’t the hard lumps like you get after washing and drying most pillows a few times (which I haven’t done with this one since I use a zipped dust case plus pillow case)
So, that being said, how would you describe the lumps? Can’t say I’ve ever felt lumpy flour… but I’d assume it’s softer than the traditional cheap and crappy lumpy pillow, right? And does it seem to smooth out at all with the weight of your head or does it remain lumpy? Do you think after using it for a while it might be good for someone who likes forming their pillow a little differently every night?
Thank you for sharing this! These tutorials look awesome.
I have been hunting for birthday material for quite awhile. Still can’t find any.
Birthday fabric – I finally found some at Joanns Fabrics in Boise, Idaho. Hope you are able to grab some before it’s gone.
Thank you so much for the info.
I will be making a trip to the store shortly.
I have five grands for this project.
Again thank you so much.
Blessings
You must be an advanced sewer. I have done several and started out as pillow cases, for Halloween or Boo Bags. Then I did one for my son for every holiday. He was about 10 years old when we did the haunted house bd part. He is 22 right now and he still uses his.
forgot to mention. I start out with the pillow size plus 3.5 inches. I take and sew down the bottom and one side. Then I take and fold over the top 1/4 inch and iron, then down 3 inches and iron and sew it down. That is for a very simple pillow like the ones you get with sheets, except they are done with fun fabric. The hardest to find was bd fabric. However, I did.
Thank you so much for this tip. I’m making pillowcases for a 47″ by 24″ foam dog bed. The dog don’t need any contrasting fabrics, and the burrito method is entirely baffling to me.
Also I needed to sew the large opening 3 inch fold on the right side of the fabric first, then put the wrong sides together and sew the side and bottom last.