How to Make Pillow Cases With Machine Embroidery

Make a homemade embridered pillow case to match your bedding.

Custom bedding is a beautiful addition to any bedroom, but can be costly. Customizing your own pillow cases with machine embroidery is a cost-effective alternative. When you make your own pillow cases, you can choose any fabric and thread, so you'll be able to match any decor, and you can embellish them in any way you choose. Homemade pillow cases can also be customized for gifts for family and friends.

Things You'll Need

• 2 yards of 44-inch cotton quilting fabric
• Iron
• Fabric marker
• Ruler
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine with embroidery function
• 1 spool of thread
• Scissors

Instructions

Sewing the Pillowcase

1. Wash, dry and iron your fabric. This will ensure that your fabric won't shrink the first time you wash your pillow case.

2. Cut your fabric into two pieces, each 44 inches by 34 inches. Measure the fabric with the ruler. Mark your measurements with the fabric marker, then cut.

3. Place your two pieces of fabric together so they are lined up exactly, with the right sides of the fabric facing each other. Pin the two layers of fabric together along the edges.

4. Sew around three sides of your pillow case, leaving one short (34-inch) end of the rectangle open.

5. Fold the unsewn edge of the pillow case 1/2 inch in, toward the wrong side of the fabric, all the way around the opening. Iron along the fold to press it flat. Fold the fabric again, this time folding in 4 inches, and iron. Pin the fabric in place. This creates a hem for the open edge.

6. Sew around the hem, being careful not to sew the pillow case shut. Turn the pillow case right-side out, and iron. The pillow case is now complete.

Applying Machine Embroidery

1. Select where you would like to place your embroidery, and which embroidered stitch you would like to use. Program that stitch into your sewing machine.

2. Consider the comfort of the recipient when selecting your design. Pillow case embroidery is often small, and found along the edge of the pillowcase, so that it doesn't press against the person's face while they are sleeping.

3. Sew the embroidery on the pillow case. The exact steps for sewing the embroidery will depend on your sewing machine; check out the owner's manual for more information.

Tips & Warnings

• All embroidery machines are different. Some can do only simple decorative stitches, while others can embroider complex designs. Read your sewing machine owner's manual to understand your options.

References

• Craft & Fabric Links: Free Pillow Case Pattern