How to Embellish a Pillowcase

Bed linens don't have to be ordinary and strictly functional. Give your bedroom suite a custom look by embellishing your pillowcases.

Things You'll Need

• Ribbon
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Embroidery needle
• Embroidery thread
• Embroidery design
• Embroidery hoop
• Lace (wide)
• Tailor's measuring tape
• Scissors
• Pins
• Iron
• Ironing board

Instructions

Add Ribbon Trim

1. Select one or two types of ribbon that complement your bedding and decor. Make sure that the colors in the ribbon reflect at least one color in the room and that the ribbon style coordinates with your room style. Choose, for example, a solid color ribbon for a modern looking bedroom or an ornate ribbon design for a more traditional bedroom theme.

2. Measure around the entire width of your pillowcase then add 1/2 inch to your measurement. Cut the ribbon to this length.

3. Fold the lace back 1/4 inch on one end of the ribbon then use your iron to press it to create a seam. This leaves you with a length of ribbon that is 1/4 inch longer than the width of your pillowcase.

4. Pin the ribbon to the pillowcase opening, making sure it is perfectly straight. Make sure the folded end overlaps the unfolded end at the pillowcase seam.

5. Stitch the ribbon in place to secure it to the pillowcase. Repeat this process for multiple lengths of ribbon.

Add Embroidery

1. Select an embroidery design that complements your bedroom decor. If your bedding has a modern theme, for example, you may want to embroider a simple decorative border across the pillowcase opening. On the other hand, if you are embellishing a child's pillowcase, you can always embroider animals, hearts or automobiles across the opening to match you child's bedroom decor. Be as creative as you'd like.

2. Attach the embroidery hoop to the opening of the pillowcase, positioning it in the area you want to embroider.

3. Follow your preselected design to embroider the pillowcase, moving the hoop as needed until you finish the entire pillowcase.

Add Lace Trim

1. Select a piece of lace that complements your bedding and decor. Make sure that the color of the lace reflects at least one color in the room and that the lace style coordinates with your room decor.

2. Measure around the entire width of your pillowcase then add 1/2 inch to your measurement. Cut the lace to this length.

3. Fold the lace back 1/8 inch on both ends of the lace then use your iron to press it to create a seam. This leaves you with a length of lace that is 1/4 inch longer than the width of your pillowcase.

4. Pin the lace to inside edge (or outside edge, depending on your lace and preferences) of the pillowcase opening, making sure it is perfectly straight. Make sure one of the folded ends overlaps the other folded end at the pillowcase seam.

5. Stitch the lace in place to secure it to the pillowcase.