UPDATED Pillowcase Instructions

[Sue-Pillowcase lady]

Pillowcase Instructions
Selecting Fabric:
There are so many wonderful choices out there for fabrics but care does need to be
used when selecting it. Remember these pillowcases are intended to be slept upon.
This means that they need to be soft. Also they will be washed many times, so they
need to be durable. In addition, you will probably be piecing some to make your
fabrics go farther; this means that you will want to have similar weights of fabrics.
A good rule of thumb is the Symphony Broadcloth offered by JoAnns. It is probably
the minimum weight and the appropriate softness for any pillowcase. It comes in
solids and is a full 44‐inch width so a collection of colors of this fabric is nice to have
on hand. It is also quite reasonable. It can be purchased for as little as $1.79/yard.
Use this fabric as a guideline when evaluating other fabrics.
Pay attention to the width of fabrics when you purchase it. You will want to get
either 44‐inch fabric or 60‐inch fabric in width. Sometimes fabrics are advertised as
44‐inch wide but in actuality they are less. Some have wide selvages and this can
cause difficulties. Sue incorporates wide selvages into the pillowcase, making an
extra stripe. She does not mind having JoAnn’s on it, especially since they have been
so generous to all of the Heads at Ease crew. If you are not going to incorporate the
selvage, remember you will lose anything you cut off.
Some fabrics have a wonderful pattern but the dyes are heavy. If this is the case,
you will probably put a softer fabric on the back for sleeping, e.g., the Symphony
Broadcloth.
Patriotic fabrics, e.g., stars, flags, etc., are wonderful but regional and seasonal
fabrics are nice as well. Remember anything that will remind the person of home
will be appreciated. Look for colors that will mix and match. This will allow you to
create more different pillowcases.
Cotton is always a great fabric but a blend will work well too. You probably do not
want all polyester or some other similar types of fabric. They tend to be stiffer or
more scratchy.
One thing to pay attention to is how the fabric was cut before and the pattern of the
fabric. Recently I purchased fabric and noticed that it had not been cut straight.
This means that you can lose several inches of usable fabric. If you notice this, make
sure the cutting person, straightens the fabric before cutting. Even doing this, I
frequently buy an additional inch or two to allow for shrinkage and adjustment in
cutting. Sometimes the pattern is not printed on the straight of the fabric. If this is
going to bother you, you better pass on the fabric. Otherwise you have to just ignore
it.
Deciding upon the amount to purchase depends upon your sewing style. If you are
going to make pillowcases out of one piece of fabric, then you will not want to
purchase more than 31 inches of fabric that is 44 inches in width (allows for
shrinkage and loss for not being straight). Otherwise, if you are willing to piece,
purchase several yards of a fabric, e.g., three to four yards.
Pre‐treatment of Fabric prior to Sewing:
Before you cut, wash your fabric in cool to warm water with some vinegar. This will
accomplish several things. First if the dyes have a tendency to bleed, they should
“set” with the vinegar and cool water. Second, if there is going to be shrinkage, it
should happen during this washing. Third, it should remove the sizing, making the
fabric softer and showing up problems with fabric being straight.
Please do not use heavy fabric softeners. Many people have problems with those scents.
Once the fabric has been washed and ironed, you can check the actual measurement
of the fabric in terms of width and length. You can also check to see if the fabric is
straight when you match selvage edges. If you put the selvages together and run
your hand towards the fold, the fabric should be smooth. If it is not, then probably
you have a problem with the fabric being straight. In this case, you will want to pull
the fabric from opposite corners. If you have several yards, you will need to get
someone to help you. Even a yard is difficult to manage alone. When I was taught
to do it, I pulled a thread and matched the threads together. Then I pulled to make
them match. I don’t do this with my pillowcases but I do check for obvious
problems.
After you have washed, ironed and straightened the fabric, cut one end to make a
straight, even edge from which to work. Now you are ready to begin cutting.
Cutting the Pillowcases:
If you are going to create a pillowcase from a single piece of fabric, you will want to
cut a piece that is 44” x 30”. When you fold it in half, you will have a piece that is 22”
x 30”.
If you are going to put a band on your pillowcase, the width of the band plus the
width of your seams will determine the length of the body. Remember, you will
want to end up with a piece that is 22” x 30 inches or 44” x 30” to complete the
pillowcase.
When you attach a band, press the seam toward the open end (top) and top stitch
for a finished look.
So let’s assume that you are going to have a ¼” seam and you are using a six‐inch
band, left over from a yard of fabric that was used to make a pillowcase. You will
lose ¼ inches of the band and ¼ inches of the body, so you will need a piece that is
24‐1/2 inches long (allows ¼ inches for the body and ¼ inches for the band).
Constructing the Pillowcase,
There are several ways that you can make a pillowcase. The simplest is to have a
1/4” seam that has a zig‐zag seam to protect from raveling. If you have cut a piece of
fabric that is 44” x 30” inches, then you will fold it in half so that the selvage edges
are together. Sew along the bottom and side, turning the corner at a 90‐degree
angle. The bottom will need to have a zig‐zag to protect from raveling but the
selvage edge will protect the side. The top (open end) will be turned down ¼” and
then one inch for finishing. If you wish to turn down more for the hem at the top,
you will need to allow for this when cutting. You do not want to leave the top
unfinished or not hemmed. Your finished pillowcase will be 21‐1/2 x 28‐1/2”. This
is the “ideal.”
If you have a serger or overcast machine, you will have a seam that is a little larger
than ¼”. Another option is to use French seams, in which case you will probably
have seams that are ½”. All are acceptable but they will affect the dimensions of
some of your cuts.
If you are doing a lot of piecing, be sure to only piece one side of the pillowcase. It
looks great on a rack but will it be comfortable for sleeping. With pillowcases that
have piecing, place a piece on the back that is plain, i.e., only piece one side. A band
may go around but do not make it more than 8 inches wide. And it is best to not
make the band several thicknesses of fabric. When packing the boxes, it really does
make a difference.
When finished, you want a pillowcase that will fit most standard pillows. You do not
want one that is huge nor do you want want that is just too small. A good rule of
thumb is 20 inches minimum for width and 32 inches for maximum length

[DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor]

Bumping it up again for the new members.

[Sue-Pillowcase lady]

Here's the whole picture or at least more of it:

on page 1 is the pieced basketball one and on page 2 is the added stripe that I put on flannel. and yes, I do use the selvage even if it says Joann's on it.

[navymom02]

Is it to late to do anything for my son to get a pillowcase? He is on the Lincoln and an AO. What can I do, I do not sew? Please help me I think it is great what all you ladies are doing for our sailors! Navymom02

[DC - G'mother of My Fav Sailor]

Navymom02, the intent is that all sailors on the Lincoln get a pillowcase. Please do let us know if he does not receive one. Also, some of our members do not sew but they support HAE by donations of fabric and/or funds for fabric and mailing. Believe me as a sewer, this is much appreciated. Sue coordinates donations so you should work through her if you want to donate.

[Sue-Pillowcase lady]

Dori is right. Please send me a private message with your son's information. we are in the process of mailing the final pcs.

[LLovesmysailor]

Looks like we need this discussion back on top as well.

[D~W~G]

Hi all, these are similar to the instructions I recieved but overall dimensions I was told should be 21 1/2" x 28 1/2" ? that is everything that I have made so far?

[D~W~G]

does anyone have the bush notes document. ME sent it to me and I can not open the file

[D~W~G]

THESE INSTRUCTIONS WERE ONLY THE ONES I RECVD DO NOT FOLLOW

ARE THESE RIGHT?? THIS WAS FROM BACK A WAYS DEC 5, 2010

HOPE I AM STILL OK WITH THESE PILLOW CASES?

 

 

(Easy Pillowcase Instructions.


1. Wash and Iron all your fabric before cutting the material
2. Fold Fabric in Half length wise and press a crease ( this will give you a 22in wide Piece)
3. Cut your pillowcase to 30-31 in long. Run a zig-zag or a surged stitch around the edges to keep them from fraying.
4. Fold and press ¼ in down on the top of your pillow case
5. Then go back and fold and press 2in down on the top
6. Sew it down with a ¼-1/2 in straight stitch
7. Then turn material inside out and stitch the 2 open sides with a 90% turn at the bottom.
8. Turn right side out making sure you push the corners out so they look like corners.
9. Press again and you are done.
10. This will give you a pillowcase that is 28-29 in long and 21 & ½ in wide
11. The finished pillowcase should be 28 ½ in long by 21 ½ in wide.
12. Make sure all Seams are finished so there is no fraying.


Banded Pillowcases


13. Wash and Iron all your fabric before cutting the material
14. Fold Fabric in Half length wise and press a crease ( this will give you a 22in wide Piece)
15. Cut your pillowcase to 24-26 in long. If you want you can run a zig-zag or a surged stitch around the edges to keep them from fraying.
16. Make you band either 2 or 4 in wide when folded in half so that would 4-8 in unfolded.
17. Press and attach the band to the top of the pillowcase and press the seam towards the top.

18. Then turn material inside out and stitch the 2 open sides with a 90% turn at the bottom.
19. Turn right side out making sure you push the corners out so they look like corners.
20. Press again and you are done.
21. This will give you a pillowcase that is 28-29 in long and 21 & ½ in wide
22. The finished pillowcase should be 28in long by 21 ½ in wide.
23. Make sure all Seams are finished so there is no fraying.
24.

The bands can be bigger if you have a shorter piece of material. But please try not
To make them more that 8 in wide unless you are making a special one for a special reason. This will help to keep the uniform and will help save on material. )

[Sue-Pillowcase lady]

yep you are good.  ME simplied alittle more.  I wrote the original instructions in Jan 2009.  Then Dori worked on them in Dec 2009 and ME worked on them again.  This basic pc is the same instructions that MAS and the Lincoln moms use or have used to make their pcs.

 

I wrote the originals so fast and I am glad the ladies worked on them a bit.

[Sue-Pillowcase lady]

bringing to the top.

[Matt's Mom/Cathy]

Great instructions!