Method for Self Binding a Quilt Pillowcase

Using the backing fabric of the quilted material to bind it gives a smoother edge to the pillowcase.

One of the simplest ways to bind the edges of a quilted pillowcase is by using the backing material of the quilting as the binding. Leaving the backing fabric longer than the quilt top allows you to fold the fabric to the outside to make a finished edge.

Things You'll Need

• Quilted pillowcase
• Backing fabric
• Ruler or measuring tape
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• Needle or sewing machine
• Thread
• Iron

Instructions

1. 

   The quilt backing will become an integral part of the quilt face, so be sure that it coordinates.

   Determine the width of binding that you want to show as an edging for the pillowcase. Double that amount and add 1/2 inch to turn under. Add this additional measurement to the short end of your binding fabric that will be your pillowcase opening.

2. Place the binding fabric, wrong side up, on a flat surface. Place the quilt top fabric, wrong side down, on top of the binding fabric, with the batting sandwiched in between. The extra length of the binding fabric and batting should extend from one short end while the other sides should be even.

3. Quilt the pillow top to backing, if desired.
   Fold the fabric sandwich together lengthwise, having the quilt top fabric on the inside.

4. 

   Use a 1/2-inch to 5/8-inch seam to construct the pillowcase.

   Sew the quilting, batting and backing together along the bottom edge and one long side, continuing the seam to the extended backing.

5. Turn the sewn pillowcase so that the right side with quilt face on the outside and the binding inside the pillowcase.

6. 

   When trimming the batting, keep the backing fabric clear so it is not accidentally nipped.

   Measure the lengthened backing edge to assure it is all the same length. Trim if needed. Pin the backing out of the way while you trim the batting to the determined edging length.

7. Unpin the binding and turn the edge of the binding under 1/2 inch toward the quilt face, wrong sides together.
   Press the turned edge with the iron.

8. 

   Pressing the turned edge will give a crisper edge that aids in matching it to the quilt top.

   Place the pressed edge over the pillowtop face, overlapping the quilt top edge by 1/2 inch and press the resulting fold with the iron.

9. Pin the edge of the turned binding to the quilt top and sew it either by topstitching 1/8 to 1/4 inch from the overlapped edge, or by hand stitching with an invisible stitch. The invisible stitch alternates back and forth from the quilt top edge to inside the folded edge so that it the thread does not show on the outside of the fabric.

10. Quilt the pillowcase edging if desired.

Tips & Warnings

• You can quilt the pillowcase to the backing before folding and sewing, but you must allow for the extra fabric to finish the edge before attaching it.

• Allow for extra fabric when measuring the backing to allow for movement or drawing up of the fabric when quilting. You can trim the excess before sewing the pillowcase seams.