How to Sew a Silk Pillow Case
Silk pillowcases can be wonderful to sleep on, as they feel lovely against the skin, and can help keep your hair from tangling, unlike cotton pillow cases. Purchasing silk pillowcases can be expensive, however you can sew them yourself at home. Working with silk can be problematic for the beginner, as it is slippery, but learning how to sew with it is a skill that you will use throughout the rest of your sewing projects.
Instructions
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Cut the silk. Pillow cases are generally between 20 and 22 inches wide, and 36 inches long. Cut the silk so that you will only have two seams on either side of the case; the silk should be between 22 and 24 inches wide, and at least 74 inches long.
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Fold the fabric in half lengthwise, with the wrong sides together, and pin within a one-quarter inch seam allowance. Sew a straight seam up each side of the case. Trim the seams to a one-eighth of an inch or less, but do not cut the stitches on the seam. Use the iron on the silk setting to press the seams to one side.
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Insert a brand new sewing needle into your machine. This will help prevent the needle from snagging on delicate silk. Fold the long edges of the pillow case over and stitch a one-quarter inch seam down each side to envelop the seam on the interior of the case. This not only protects the raw edges of the fabric, but it also adds strength and stability to the seams.
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Fold the top of the pillowcase over by a quarter inch and press. Fold the top by four to five inches and press again. Sew a seam one-eighth of an inch away from the edge of the first pressed edge. Turn the pillow case right side out and press.
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References
- Photo Credit young woman with pillows image by Daria Miroshnikova from Fotolia.com
