When Jessa first started sewing pillowcases it would take her a very long time to sew a pillowcase. If she did a set it took her at least a couple of hours. Now she can sew a pillowcase in about 15 minutes. If I am around to help pin and iron we can easily do a set in less than 30 minutes.

We hope that our instructions are clear and that you can get sewing right away. If something is hard to understand please don’t hesitate to ask questions in the comments. We would love to have feedback on how we can make our instructions easier to understand. Let’s start sewing!

• For these instructions we are assuming that you have purchased 1 1/8 yard of two coordinating fabrics. You will need to iron both fabrics and cut each piece into two pieces. One piece will need to be 27” X 42” and the second piece 10” X 42”. Take one large piece and the coordinating small piece.
• Lay down the small strip and lay the larger piece on top (right sides together) matching up the top and sides. Pin along the top.

• You then roll the larger piece from the bottom (the side that is not pinned) until you are about 2 inches from the top (where you have your pins).

• You then take the smaller piece and fold it up and around the roll of fabric.

• Then pin to the top. Be careful to not catch the roll in the pins.

• This is one of Jessa’s favorite parts (not sure why), you need to hold the very edge of the roll and give it a little shake. Jessa seems to think it helps to wiggle your hips and do a little dance. You can decide how much shake you need to put into the job.
• Now you are ready to start sewing. You will want to do about a ½” seam allowance. You will also want to backstitch at the beginning and end of the roll.

• Jessa thinks the next step is the best part of sewing pillowcases. One time I was trying to help her sew several pillowcases in one day and she got right down grumpy when I started to pull them. I am allowed to pin and iron but I better not try and pull the roll.
  Gently fold back the outer layer of fabric. You then want to gently pull the inner fabric. Don’t yank on it! You want to gently fold back the outer layer while pulling the inner fabric.

• When you get it pulled out you will have a cute stripe along the top of bigger piece and the seam is completely enclosed. This will help eliminate fraying and hides mistakes you might have made sewing along the top.

• Iron along the seam. This is important to help it lay flat before sewing the bottom and sides.

• For the next step you have to trust us that we have not made a typo and do it like we say and we promise it will work! Lay the fabric down with the wrong side facing up. You then want to fold it so that the strip is folded in half and the wrong sides of the fabric are together (yes, we said wrong.) Pin along the open side and bottom (you don’t need to pin/sew where it is folded or along the top).

• You can then sew along the side and bottom where you have pinned. This seam allowance needs to be a little smaller (about ¼”).

• Now turn the pillowcase so the wrong side of the fabric is facing out and iron the seams.

• You now want to sew along the same edge and along the bottom. This time you want a large seam allowance. The cutting measurements allow for a generous ½” seam allowance.

• After sewing turn the pillowcase right side out and you are done! You can repeat with the next set of fabric and you will have a matching set of pillowcases that will be sure to bring smiles to a lucky recipient!

      
Happy Sewing! Please send us pictures of pillowcases you have made to jessapillowcaseproject@gmail.com.