How to Sew Pillow Case Material Together

Pillowcases are an easy sewing project with simple, straight seams. To make a case for a standard or queen size pillow, you’ll need 1 yard of fabric. For a king size pillow, you’ll need 1 1/4 yards of fabric. To figure out how much fabric you’ll need for a custom size pillow, measure the pillow from top to bottom and side to side. Make sure to measure from the center of the pillow’s edges, so that the pillow’s thickness is included in the measurement as well. Buy enough fabric to cover both sides of the pillow with at least 6 inches to spare.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pillow
• Measuring tape
• Fabric
• Matching thread
• Sewing machine
• Scissors
• Iron

Cut the Fabric

1. Wash and iron the fabric if needed.

2. For a standard size bed pillow, fold the fabric in half to cut two pieces of fabric, each 21 inches high by 32 inches wide.

3. For a queen size bed pillow, fold the fabric in half to cut two pieces of fabric, each 21 inches high by 36 inches wide.

4. For a king size bed pillow, fold the fabric in half to cut two pieces of fabric, each 21 inches high by 42 inches wide.

5. For a custom size pillow, cut a piece of fabric that’s as tall as the pillow plus 1 inch and as wide as the pillow plus 6 inches. Cut a second piece of fabric the same size as the first.

Sew the Pillow Case

6. Place the two pieces of fabric right sides together.

7. Stitch the fabric together along both long edges and one short edge using 1/4 inch seam allowance. Leave the other short edge open.

8. Fold the open edge of the pillowcase over about 1 inch. Press the fold flat.

9. Fold the end of the pillowcase over 1 inch again. Press the fold flat.

10. Stitch along the edge of the folded section.

11. Turn the pillowcase right side out.

Tips & Warnings

• The right side is the one you want facing out when the pillow case is finished. Most projects are sewn right sides together (inside out) so the seams won’t show.
• Seam allowance is the distance from the stitching to the edge of the fabric. On most sewing machines, 1/4 inch seam allowance means lining up the edge of the fabric with the edge of the sewing machine’s presser foot.
• For a professional looking pillowcase, use 6 inches of extra fabric for the width. When hemming the open end of the pillowcase, make each fold 4 inches instead of 1 inch.