Magic Pillowcase Tutorial

Hi there Ribbon Retreat readers! It’s Michaela from Covered in Mod Podge back again. Today, I’m sharing a tutorial for a Magic Pillowcase that goes great with the Ruffled Strip Quilt from a couple weeks back!

Between the second and third grade, my family moved from Northern to Southern California. I did not take the move well, at all. In attempts to get me plugged in to my new community, my mom signed me up for dance, gymnastics, Girl Scouts, basketball, and sewing lessons.

Of all things, my mom decided that sewing lessons should be apart of the making me feel like I fit in. I took them for about a year. Anyone else wondering about how this helped with the fitting in thing? It sure didn’t! Girl Scouts saved me. I put away my sewing machine and never looked back.

That is, until I found out I was pregnant with my daughter. They wanted me to pay how much for a blanket I could make myself!?! I am so glad that I pulled that sewing machine out. It’s allowed me to develop a wonderful hobby and make some great things for my little girl. I am so proud to have a momma made quilt headed to her big girl bed.

What’s all this have to do with today’s tutorial? Well I’m reaching back to a lesson learned in the third grade. It’s called the Magic Pillowcase. What makes this pillowcase magic is that all of the seams are encased. No finishing seams and no worrying about fraying through the multitude of washes that bedding requires.

You Need:
3/4 yd main fabric (I used Essential Dots by Moda in Peony)
1/4 yd cuff fabric (I used Essential Dots by Moda in White/Peony)
2 inches trim fabric (I used Dottie by Moda in Teal)
Rotary cutter, ruler, and self healing mat
Sewing machine and thread

Prewash and iron your fabric. Trim off selvedges to make all the fabrics the same widths.

Fold your cuff fabric in half, wrong sides together. Press.
Repeat for your two inch strip.

Unfold the cuff fabric and place it, right side up, on a clean work surface.

Place your main fabric on top of the cuff fabric.

Place the trim fabric on top of the main fabric. Make sure all three edges are lined up.

Grab the bottom of your main fabric and roll it up until it is about four inches from the top.

Take the bottom of the cuff fabric and fold it up over the roll. Line up the bottom of the cuff fabric with all the other edges. Pin all layers.

Now sew along that edge (with all four edges) with a presser foot seam allowance. You’ll create a tube.
Pull the tube right side out.

Fold the fabric in half, like a pillowcase. Trim your edges to make sure everything is even.

Now, you’ll encase the side and bottom seams using French Seams.
Start by folding your fabric so it looks like a pillow case, wrong sides together. Pin along the raw side and the bottom and sew using a scant 1/4 inch seam allowance (that’s fancy speak for a little less than 1/4 inch).

Turn the pillowcase wrong side out. Press well. Then, sew along the bottom and the once raw edge using a presser seam allowance. This will encase your seam. Now you’ve made a French Seam.

Turn your pillowcase right side out, slip in a pillow, and you’re all set!

Since my little one hasn’t quite moved up to her toddler bed yet,
this pillowcase is currently serving as a great reading nook cushion.

Thank you Michaela! What a great companion to your little girlee’s new quilt. This pillowcase is definitely magic and looks splendid! I love how quickly it is to create and how great the finished product is! I am so glad your mom put you in sewing in the 3rd grade and that you had a little girlee that you helped you find your love for sewing again! 🙂
For more fun and innovative projects by Michaela, visit her at Covered in Mod Podge. You’ll have fun navigating through her tutorials and super cute blog!

What a fun and easy project! This pillowcase is a perfect sewing project for all levels from beginners to advanced advanced. Hehe! AND…because we are talking pillows today, we have some more super fun pillow projects that, just like this pillowcase, are quick, easy, and perfect for every crafty level.

How to Make a Throw Pillow
Fabulously Fun Pillows
Envelope Pillow Tutorial

Do you love pillows? Do you love to decorate with pillows for a little added color or texture?

Happy Creating & Happy Pillows!