Nothing says spring like pastel flowered fabrics and fresh pink roses, and I’m so ready to welcome the warmer nights and longer days after a few weekends of snow. To add a touch of spring, I made some simple standard pillowcases with French seams and lace trim. They are easy to make and a good project for a beginner sewer.
Materials for One Standard Pillowcase with Lace Trim:
1 yard of 45″ wide fabric
1-1/2 yards of lace trim
coordinating thread
sewing machine, iron, scissors, pins
Pre-wash and dry the fabric and trim.
1. Fold fabric in half with selvage edges together, press.
2. Cut length to 33 inches long and trim selvage edges off.
3. Open fabric out with wrong side up. Turn up bottom raw edge 1/2 inch and press.
4. Turn up bottom edge 1/2 inch again and press. Pin in place.
5. Using a 1/4 inch seam allowance, sew.
6. Turn fabric right side up with hem at bottom. Pin trim to top of hemmed edge using sewing line as a guide (cover sewing line with trim). Using a straight or zig-zag stitch, sew trim in place.
7. For French seams, fold fabric wrong sides together with hem at bottom. Pin raw edges together.
8. Using a 1/4″ seam allowance, sew raw edges. With scissors, clip corner being careful not to clip any stitches.
9. Turn pillowcase inside out and press.
10. Using a 1/2″ seam allowance, sew. This step encases all the raw edges. Turn pillow case right side out and press.
You are done!
You can make one, or you can make a whole bunch like I did.
I’m ready for spring.
If flowers aren’t your thing, these would be beautiful in linen and lace or white cotton and lace.
Find tips for adding lace to store bought pillowcases here.
Find more DIY pillow ideas here.
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Well there it is in black and white…..and pretty spring florals! I want to get started on my redwork pillowcases but I have to stitch up the pillowcases first. How’s that for timing?! The fabrics you’ve chosen are lovely. Thanks for the tutorial, Mary!
these are ADORABLE!!!!! i love the look!!!! i may need to try this on emmy’s bed.
How much fabric would you use for King size pillowcase?
I love your fabric selections.
For a king size pillow case you would need 1 1/4 yards of fabric and 1 1/2 yards of trim (the trim is the same for either size). Follow the instructions as for the standard pillowcase except adjust the length from 33″ to 43″ long. King size pillowcases are approxiamately 10″ longer than standard. I hope that helps you.
Lovely! I might need to make a couple for spring……J
Those are so pretty!
Please add some share buttons to your site so people can share your posts on facebook, pintrest, G+, etc…
What a lovely nod to spring 🙂
I’ve made some flannel pillowcases to be bed and pillow covers for the cats at the no-kill shelter where I volunteer. (Of course, I didn’t bother to put decorative trim on them.) French seams are absolutely wonderful as these pillowcases get rough use and hard washing!
What a pretty way to finish a pillow – they turned out just lovely!
Love this idea! Thank you.
These are so cute I am going to give it a try!!
Thanks for the inspiration!
Denise
Those are so sweet! A great idea to chase the winter blues. Thank you for sharing.
Oh I love these!! I was just gearing up to learn how to hand crochet the edging — and I may still do that — but meanwhile, this is so pretty and cute and I have lots of trims that need using. I know what I’m going to be working on as soon as I get well!! ~Angela~
your fabric choices are just lovely Mary!
I really love your choice of fabrics, and the trims take it over the top! These are a breath of fresh air! Happy Monday from the enchanted oven.
xo,
Lisa
very pretty. when I was a little girl, my great, great aunt used to crochet lace on pillowcases, this is a much easier and just as pretty way to accomplish the same look. I’m pinning. Little Bit from http://www.DecorateWithaLittleBit.com
I love this idea! I love to use all white bedding and think these floral pillows would be such a great way to add spring to the room! I really like the special touch of adding the lace. I’m a beginner sewer, so I might have to try this! Pinning. I found you at 6 days of spring link party!
Thanks so much for simplifying how to sew a pillowcase for me:) Have seen many others on pinterest but this one is so simply for me with all the photos! Thanks again!
Lovely! I’m going out now to get some fabric. Thanks for the idea, it will set off my bedroom perfectly.
Ran into this via Pinterest … love it! And I think it’s brilliant to make a “mini” one for pictures! I haven’t seen that before but much easier to view online.
Thanks!
I’m loving these pillow cases, and can’t wait to get started. I’m intrigued by the French seams, but I’m having a hard time envisioning the end result. Does encasing all the raw edges just make it prettier on the inside? Not judging, I think it’s a nice touch. Lol!
Saw this image somewhere….tracked it down by your copyright! I LOVE these and you should sell them in an Etsy shop!
If you are making two pillows you will need 2 yards of fabric and 3 yards of trim. If you buy fleece, I would make the whole pillow in the fleece, and wash the fabric before sewing. I’m not sure how much your fabric will shrink. Each fabric is different. Sometimes I ask the clerk at the fabric store her opinion on whether the fabric will shrink a lot or not.
These are SO pretty! I shared the link on my Facebook page and everyone loved them! https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153754069500217&set=a.353593675216.349539.323548680216&type=1&stream_ref=10
Thank you so much Amanda!
So inspired by this post. I saw it and immediately wanted to put my Polynesian twist to it for island home decor. Your tutorial is simple and easy to follow. Love your blog. I am a beginner blogger and getting more regular about my posting. I am working on my own design business from home, very slowly. I really enjoy your posts, they inspire my creativity! Mahalo for sharing. ~ Aloha, Dani
Hi there, just saw you featured over at Jennifer’s Charming Home Series. Your home and blog are both so beautiful and inspiring. The pillows you made are so sweet, I just love the mix of fabrics!!
Sally @cottagefix
Hi, these are lovely. For the blue trim, does it come…. bound? Did you have to snip it between each tassel to free the threads? I love this look, but couldn’t find anything at the fabric store similar. I am wondering if I am looking for the wrong item. This appears to look more like rail road tracks when you buy it, then individual tassels.
I really love how you made these. Thanks for the tutorial. I’m a beginner (can ya tell? 😉 ) so it’s quite helpful!