PIllowcase instructions

[Paymaster]

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               

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[Dawn]

Thank you!

[VTnavymom]

I would love to make some of these - hoping you will do another mailing sometime next year... I cannot add one more project before Christmas! I have tons of fabric, and would like to do something for our wounded warriors. This is perfect! Thanks!

 

[Paymaster]

Beth.... OMG I would not ask anyone to take on a project like this before the holidays!!!  As you can see its taken me this long to get to readying stuff here.

 

We will be doing another get together in July to make pillowcases once again. 

 

I would love it if you could use some of your stash to help with this project.  You can sew whenever you like:)

 

I just try and get all the pillowcases I can together by the end of July so I can get them set off to Maryland.  The Wounded Warrior group we send them to, makes a package of goodies and put it in the pillowcases to be delievered to the soldiers at the holidays.

 

Thank you so much for your interest in this project.  Please let me know if I can answer any further questions.

[Blink]

Can you please explain about the pillowcases?  Is this a tradition?  Should I be doing this for my son before his first deployment?  What do you put on them?

Thanks!

[Paymaster]

Blink....A few years ago a number of us mom's in my area started getting together to do pillowcases for one ship, then another, then another. 

A couple of years ago we decide we liked doing pillowcases, but not for whole ships.  So we adopted the Wound Warrior project as who we would donate pillowcases too.

 

Each year we have Christmas in July were we get together and make pillowcases that we send to Besatada (spelling) Navy hopsital in Maryland.  We have a contact who distributes the pillowcases to the soldiers. 

I have always included the mom's on the sites I belong too.  Many like to particapate in the project.  This is just a project that is fun to do and makes so many wounded soldiers happy.  Thank you for you interest in this project.  Please let me know if I can answer any more questions for you.