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From: rose074
Date: 01-22-2004, 07:59 AM (1 of 14)
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I'm wanting to make some pillow cases to match a toddler bedding set. Does anybody have any suggestions on how big I should make it? Have any of the rest of you made any pillow cases? What are some things you learned that might make it easier for the rest of us? Danelle in Tri-Cities Washington
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User: rose074
Member since: 12-23-2000 Total posts: 73 
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 01-22-2004, 05:41 PM (2 of 14)
I make pillow cases on my serger all the time.. I cut them to fit by measuring the pillow on the fabric, and then cut.. I sew the folded band to the flat fabric first, then i sew the bottom and sides together and you have a finished pillowcase..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: kittykat
Date: 01-23-2004, 02:26 AM (3 of 14)
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i have been making pillow cases for the past year. sometimes its hard to explain. but i look at fabric with a theme, i buy 27 inches for the main piece and 2 inches for binding and 10 inches for the cuff. this makes a standard case. if you want i can sent you a copy of the pattern i use its really directions. but you might check a quilt shop in your area as that where i got mine. also sometimes they have kits that will give you ideas or colors. i have about 7 ses bought and ready to sew. they can really make cute gifts for children. let me know. if you do fabric swaps may have your address. just let me know
pat
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User: kittykat
Member since: 08-06-2001 Total posts: 184 
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From: eve444sew
Date: 01-05-2005, 11:38 AM (4 of 14)
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Hi KittyKat, It was so nice of you to explain the dimensions you choose for a standard pillow case. It sounds like you like to change the fabrics for the cuff and main piece of the pillow case. If you are able I would love to get the pillow case pattern from you too, I love to sew and would like to sew matching pilllowcases for my 2 year old daughters bed. Thank you! eve444sew 
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User: eve444sew
Member since: 01-05-2005 Total posts: 3 |
From: Magot
Date: 01-05-2005, 12:18 PM (5 of 14)
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My daughter likes to have 2 pillows on the bed - one I make from the fabric that matches the duvet cover or whatever and to the underneath one (that doesn't really show) I applique a band of your fabric to one end of a plain Pillow case - making good use of the sleeve arm as you do so. Generally about 2 1/2 -3" wide finished size. This just brightens up and helps to coordinate and ordinary cheapy shop bought one. I do this for quilts as well, any leftover blocks or fabric from the pieced top I make into a patchwork strip to attach to the pillow cases. I don't really want a pilloew case that is all seams - I would wake up in the morning with more wrinkles ironed into my face than when I went to bed! love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626 
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From: eve444sew
Date: 01-05-2005, 04:20 PM (6 of 14)
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Thank you for the input on attaching a band on an already made store bought pillow case. That sounds reallly pretty and resourceful. Although, I would still like to make the entire case with a patterned fabric from my stash. I have some beautiful floral fabrics that I need to make good use of soon. Perhaps french seems inside the pillow case would make it look more finished. I don't know but I found some directions for making a standard pillow case online and am planning to give it a try. Thank You, Happy quilting & pillow making : )~ Kelly eve444sew |
User: eve444sew
Member since: 01-05-2005 Total posts: 3 |
From: rose074
Date: 01-05-2005, 11:46 PM (7 of 14)
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I've been doing the pillow cases for a while now. I just took a regular pillow case out of my linen closet and laid it on my cutting mat and measured it. I have about 15 flannel ones cut out right now that I have been wanting to get done for a while now. I use 3 pieces of fabric, usually 3 different patterns to add color. One main body piece, one end piece and one trim piece. French seams definitly make them look more finished but with the flannel it can get a little bulky in the trim area.
Danelle in Tri-Cities Washington
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User: rose074
Member since: 12-23-2000 Total posts: 73
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From: kittykat
Date: 01-06-2005, 01:55 AM (8 of 14)
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I tried the french seam and always seem to have to much bulk. but I have a serger now and its so easy to do them. but with the 10 inch cuff you can finish the top so inside seams don't show. i do enjoy making them and with the price in the stores, we all can make much nicer ones.
pat
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User: kittykat
Member since: 08-06-2001 Total posts: 184
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From: paroper
Date: 01-06-2005, 09:01 AM (9 of 14)
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When I made my grand daughter's youth bed set, I made a embroidered quilt for the top and a plain sheet set. On the pillow I used the sheet fabric and a cuff of the material that went around her quilt. The pillowcase was easy. I just measured the pillow and cut a large rectangle to fit. That gave me just one seam on the side and top. I just used my serger to finish those seams. I then took a double wide piece of the border fabric of her quilt, decided how wide I wanted the cuff (about 3 inches finished plus seam allowances), and doubled it. I took a narrow piece of another accent fabric (about 1/2 inch finished plus seam allowances), doubled the size I wanted and folded it flat and basted it to one side of the cuff fabric, I stitched the end of the cuff together, then folded it in half and pressed. I then applied the cuff to the pillow case with a sew and serge. That made all of my seams several inches into the pillow case...so quick and soooooo easy with only 3 inside seams. By the way, the quilt? It was made up of 20 squares of "Jungle Songs". I made a quilted sham with the elephant "chain" across the middle....the block colors were turquoise with purple print and jungle print accents and solid purple sheets...it was terriffic! pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: eve444sew
Date: 01-06-2005, 04:26 PM (10 of 14)
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Thank You everyone for your input; you are great... Wow, what a great forum for sewers. Now, I can't wait to get started on some pillow case. I may just need to use my pinking scissors for the seams because unfortunately I do not have a serger. Thanks Again, eve444sew |
User: eve444sew
Member since: 01-05-2005 Total posts: 3 |
From: Margaret Mary
Date: 03-01-2005, 09:21 AM (11 of 14)
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[QUOTE=kittykat]i have been making pillow cases for the past year. If you want i can sent you a copy of the pattern i use its really directions. Hi there... I woudl love the pattern if you don't mind. I also have been wanting to make some . I do embroidery on my machine so that would be a plus. Blessings, Margaret Mary |
User: Margaret Mary
Member since: 01-02-2005 Total posts: 5 
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From: mamadus
Date: 03-08-2005, 01:23 AM (12 of 14)
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check www.threadstop.com I recently wrote up what I think is a decent tutorial on pillowcases, with photos, based on some help I got from Pat here on sewwhatsnew... the tutorial is posted on the opening page of threadstop... just my 2 cents... MO life is too short, not to explore
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User: mamadus
Member since: 12-31-2004 Total posts: 492 
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From: blackie
Date: 07-20-2005, 09:15 PM (13 of 14)
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Mo - That is a good tutorial. I made a pillowcase this afternoon (little boy's birthday, I am making a matching outfit for his doll too). It took about a half hour (I didn't do any embroidery, etc). The only thing I did differently was to use French seams. http://kelly.hogaboom.org/images/20050720pillowcase.jpg see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
From: Orc40k
Date: 07-21-2005, 09:49 AM (14 of 14)
 Thanks for the pictures. Now you make me want to go sew pillow cases. (As if I don't already have enough irons in the fire.) When I finally get to redecorating my bedroom, I'm going to keep this in mind. Finally I'll have bed linens that are REALLY "me!"Sew Happy, Barbara |
User: Orc40k
Member since: 06-29-2005 Total posts: 47 |
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