How to Make a Standard Pillow Case

Make a standard pillow case with construction and cut in mind. A standard pillow case is 20 by 30 inches, consisting of the body and the band. Acquire 1 ½ yards of fabric to make the body and ½ yard for the band. Pick matching or coordinating fabric, preferably woven cotton or a blend. Evaluate the grain. Threads that run up and down are the lengthwise grain. Threads that run side to side are the crosswise grain. The pre-finished edge is called the selvage. Make the cut squarely on the grain or perpendicular to the selvage.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fabric Shears Measuring tape Chalk Thread Sewing machine

1. Use a measuring tape and chalk to mark the fabric. Make the body 27-by-42 inches and the band 9-by-42 inches.

2. Cut the two pieces of pillow case fabric with shears.

3. Fold the band fabric in half lengthwise so that the wrong sides are together. Iron the fabric. Then open it and lay it flat.

4. Tuck the long edges of the pillow case band. Fold and press the long edges inward ½-inch, wrong side to wrong side.

5. Attach the pillow case band to the body. Sandwich the raw edge of the body fabric between the edges of the band fabric. Then pin the fabric into place.

6. Make a straight stitch across the layers with a ¼-inch seam allowance.

7. Fold the pillow case in half so that the fabric is right side to right side. Sew the selvage edge and the end. Use a serger or a zigzag stitch with a ¼-inch seam allowance to prevent fraying. Trim the seams and iron the fabric. Then turn it inside out.

Tips & Warnings

• Use ribbon to trim the standard pillow case. Add a layer of ribbon over the body fabric before attaching the band.
• Always pre-wash fabrics before sewing. Take care when using a serger to make the standard pillow case. Many sergers cannot handle thick fabrics or layers.

Resources

• Pillowcase at Better Homes and Gardens
• Quilt Pillowcase at Quick Quilts
• Standard Pillowcase Pattern at Craft and Fabric Links