Tutorial:Easy Knit Pillowcase
Here is another easy/beginner project with all the new designer knits/jersey options out there. You can make this easy pillowcase for everyone in your house or as a great little gift! I want to thank Kristi of Schnitzel and Boo for putting together this lovely tute!
Easy Knit Pillowcase Tutorial {Guest tutorial by Kristi of Schnitzel and Boo}
A lot of sewers, especially the new ones, are a little nervous about sewing with knit fabric. I agree, it can be a little apprehensive but once you’ve got it figured out, you’ll want to make everything out of knit! One way to get over your fears and make that leap into the great Knit Fabric Abyss is to stitch yourself a pillowcase. It’s easy and quick and before you know it, you’ll have more knit pillowcases than you have pillows! (This is a good thing because they make really great handmade gifts, and the holidays are right around the corner!)
Supplies:
1 yd knit Fabric
Thread
Grid Ruler
Chalk Marker
Iron & Ironing Board
Jersey/Knit Sewing Machine Needles
Ball point pins
Sharp scissors
Pillowcase (to be used as a pattern, so find your favorite one!)
Make sure your fabric has been washed and dried before you start your project. It is very important to launder your fabric before starting any sewing project if you intend to be able to machine wash and dry the item that you’re making. Once your fabric is dry, it is ready to be ironed. What? It has to be ironed too? No one said anything about doing the laundry! I know, but trust me. Ironing is half the battle in sewing. A well pressed fabric makes one heck of a beautiful end-result! It looks so professional and pretty and you’ll be so pleased with the results of a crisp, sharp look. Be sure to iron the fabric and your pillowcase, since you’ll be using it as a pattern.
For this project, we will be using a ½” seam allowance.
1 ) Ok, now we can make our pattern. Lay your fabric out on a flat surface with the right sides together.
2 ) Turn your pillowcase inside out and lay it on the fabric, having the bottom (closed end) even with the fold of the fabric and the top (open end) folded under at the seam of the hem. Pin into place.
3 ) Using your grid ruler (or any ruler-a grid ruler just makes it easier) measure ½” (the seam allowance) around the sides and top of the pillowcase. Mark as you go with your chalk marker.
4 ) Remove your pins and pillowcase, and cut along your chalk lines using a good pair of sharp scissors. Do not cut the fold.
5 ) Pin the side seams together. A good rule of thumb for pinning knits is to pin about every two finger-widths. This will help to prevent the fabric from stretching and wrinkling when sewing.
6 ) Next, you will need to measure and mark your hem. Feel free to use a contrast fabric for the hem. Using your ruler, measure the hem of your pillowcase and mark it on your fabric, having one short end on the fold.
My pillowcase has a hem of 4”x18”, so I am going to cut a rectangle that is 9 ½” x 19”. Let me explain why…we are going to make a folded hem to cover the raw edge of the open end of the pillowcase. Therefore, you need to double your first measurement. 4”=8”. You will need to turn under one long side of the hem ½”, it will not be a part of the seam allowance, so you will only need to add one ½” seam allowance to it. 8”=8 ½”
Next, add seam allowance to both short ends: 18”=19”. Your rectangle will be 8 ½” x 19”, make sure you have marked it with one short end on the fold!
7 ) Fold the hem rectangle with the wrong sides together, having short edges even and press along the fold. Open out the fold, having the wrong side up. Turn down one long edge ½” and press.
8 ) You are now ready to sew your pillowcase! Sew ½” seam down both pinned sides of the pillowcase. If you have a serger, you can serge along your seam to finish the edges. If you don’t, you may use pinking shears, sew using a French seam or simply leave it as-is. (Knit fabric doesn’t have a tendency to fray, so finishing your edges isn’t really a necessity, so don’t worry.)
9 ) Next, open the hem and lay the short edges together, right sides facing. Pin along the short edge, stopping at fold.
1 1 )Turn pillowcase right side out, press seam toward the hem. Fold the hem over the seam and pin.
*TIP*It is easy to do this using your ironing board and a plastic placemat between the board and the case.
1 2 )Edge-stitch the hem all the way around, being careful not to stretch the fabric as you sew.
1 3 )Press the hem after you’re finished and you’re done!
Well done!! Aren’t you excited to lay your head down on your proud, new accomplishment?
We would like to thank our guest blogger Kristi McDonough for this lovely tutorial! Check out her Etsy shop and blog!
Hop on over to the Fabric Shoppe for a wide selection of Patty Young and Michael MIller knits for all your sewing projects! Stay tuned for more knit tutorials brought to you by Everyday Beautiful!
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