30 Minute Pillow Cases

 

7/8 yard fabric of your choice("case")

1/3 yard coordinating fabric("cuff")

matching thread

chalk or disappearing ink pen to mark

ruler or guide

scissors

rotary blade(optional)

pinking shears

sewing machine

iron

standard pillow form

You can wash your fabric if you like, I didn't after teaching this class to several kids(8-10 year olds) and have tweaked the instructions.  Turn fabric right sides together, matching selvage edges.  Trim up cut edges with rotary blade or mark with ruler and cut with sharp scissors.  Piece will measure approx. 22"x28".  Pin and sew 2 sides 5/8" seam, the selvage edge and one cut edge so you have a wrong-side-out-large pocket.  If the selvage edge designer markings/color swatches show when you turn it right side out, simply measure and sew again.  The exact measurement of this side is not important.  You will match up the "cuff" next. 

Fold the "cuff" piece wrong sides out and iron.  Trim up edges by cutting off about 1" on each side to make cuff approx. 10" wide.  Match the cuff's folded edge to the case's folded edge.  Mark with chalk or disappearing ink where the sewing line is and draw a line from cut edge to cut edge.  This will be your sewing line.  After you sew the cuff's selvage edge, press seam open and turn right side out.  You will have a large circle.  Fold wrong sides together now, lengthwise so cut edges of the cuff line up and all you see is the right sides, folded in half.  

Case should be turned wrong side out.  Place cuff inside case and line up cut edges of case and cuff together, lining up folded edge and sewn seams.  Pin into place.  Sew using a 5/8" seam until you meet your starting point.  Leave needle down and lift presser foot, and change stitch to a zig zag stitch.  Sew around the cuff again until you meet your starting point again.  Trim off excess fabric all the way around.  Using pinking shears trim up both sewn sides of case, snipping corners.  Iron the cuff/case seam towards the darker material.  Turn case inside out and using the tip of your marker push the corners out to get a nice sharp corner.  Iron.  Insert standard pillow form and VOILA!  Admire your work! 

~Jen