So; you've either started a sewing circle, or are sewing yourself. How do we make a pillowslip/ pillowcase?
It's so easy.
Making a simple pillow case
Pillowcases can be as simple or as complicated as you wish. One sewing circle Lumiere Charity helped to start began with simple pillowcases. After a few years the sewing circle had grown into an independent business, and the pillowcases were being made of matching material with the duvets; the cases had frills, and embroidery. Altogether, the business was doing brisk trade. You can use your imagination and creativity with pillowcases.
Choose a suitable fabric/ material
A suitable fabric or material needs to be chosen for pillowcases which are washed often, and need to be long wearing. Cotton or cotton/polyester mixtures are the best fabrics/ materials for this purpose, as they are hardwearing. A good tip is to scout around your local sewing stores; off cuts of materials (often really beautiful pieces of material) are often sold for very reasonable prices. Buy some of the off cuts; they are marvellous for pillowcases.
How to make the pillow case with French Seams
Cut the pillowcase in one piece. It is made slightly larger than the pillow for ease of taking the pillow in and out. You can take a clean old pillow case, unpick the seams, and iron it. This forms a great pattern for your new pillowcases. Alternately, you can measure the length and width of your pillow. You will need a piece of material the width of which is equal to the pillow width, plus 5 centimetres (2 inches). The length of the material should be twice the pillow length, plus 22 centimetres (8 and three quarter inches).
Turn under 5millimetres (or quarter inch) along one short side, and then another 1.5centimetres (half inch). Pin the seam, tack, and stitch close to the edge. Hem the opposite short edge in the same way. Take in 4.5cm (1 and three quarter inches) for the second turning.
Fold the edge with the narrower hem to the wrong side for 10centimetres (4 inches). Neatly bring the opposite edge to meet the first fold. Pin the seam, tack it and stitch down both long sides 5 millimtres (quarter inch) from the edges. Turn the case the wrong side out, and turn the pocket so that it is over the edge which has the wider hem. Press (or iron) the seams so that they fall neatly on the edges. Remember to use a steam iron, or if you do not have this, use a damp piece of material and iron through it.
Now stitch down each side once more by taking a 1centimetre (half inch) seam allowance. Turn the pillowcase the right side out. To make a really lovely set, make a matching duvet cover with two pillowcases in the same material. Or; Make a duvet cover in, for example, a green and white pattern. Then make one pillowcase with the same pattern, and the other pillowcase with a matching green colour; or white colour.
Colours that can be mixed and matched are;
Purple, white
Red, green, brown
Pink, white, yellow
Cream and pink
Brown and cream
Brown and black
Dark blue and white
Dark blue, light blue and white
You can use your imagination, and create many more colour mixes. Look at nature; often flowers blossom at the same time, and their colours match. You can gain much inspiration from nature. Or look at a beautiful garden with lovely mixes of flower colours, or great pictures in books or magazines.
Directions for single duvet cover and double duvet cover can be found at
http://lumierecharity.blogspot.com/2012/05/why-not-start-sewing-circle-for.html
Great patterns still to come! Watch our Sewing Circle space
I would like to pay tribute to the great ladies in my life who taught me to sew. At lean financial times it has been great to be able to make my own clothing, and many is the item or stuffed toy I have sewn and sold which has made funds for those in need.
Thank you to Ouma (Annie Nooij), my mom (Luky Whittle), Sr. Ottmar and Sr. Gebhard who spent many hours teaching me to sew. Please find a photograph of my Mom and my Uncle Josje at my Grandaunt's wedding. Ouma made the lovely bridesmaid's dress and page boy suit.
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