Pillowcase Tutorials...

Margie, from Nanny Notes 2U, is running a sew-along, in support of Pillowcases for Oncology Kids, a charity I've supported in the past. I often sew pillowcases, both for charity and as gifts, so, as well as showing some of my latest creations, I thought I'd do a round up of free pillowcases tutorials I've found online.

When I first started making pillowcases, I found a pillowcase tutorial, over at Flower Press. Now, a pillowcase is not hard to make, but the tutorial saved me working out the measurements myself. This particular tutorial gives measurements for Australian, UK and US standard pillowcases. Most of my pillowcases on this page are based on that tutorial. If I find something that's perfect for what I want, I tend to stick to it, particularly when I want to sew things in a hurry.

Pillowcases for Oncology Kids suggests the following tutorials when donating pillowcases to them, but you can use other tutorials as long as the pillowcases fit standard Australian pillows...

• Posh Pillowcases - You Go Girl
• Quick Pillowcase Tutorial - 44th Street Fabric
• Pillowcase Patterns - Spotlight

Pillowcase tutorials on Australian blogs...

• How to Sew a Pillowcase - A Spoonful of Sugar
• Fat Quarter Pillowcases - Nanny Notes 2U
• Hexie Pillowcase - A Spoonful of Sugar
• Learn to Sew Pillowcase Tutorial - Flower Press
• Standard Pillowcase - Nanny Notes 2U

Pillowcase tutorials on U.S. blogs...

• Banish Percale Forever - Stop Staring and Start Sewing
• Easy Pillowcase Tutorial - Sew Mama Sew
• One Million Pillowcase Challenge - American Patchwork & Quilting
• A Five Minute Pillowcase How To - Simple Simon & Co
• Ten Minute Pillowcase - Little Bit Funky
• Chevron Flag Pillow Cover - Stubbornly Crafty

As you can see in the photo above, most of my pillowcases are Christmas themed, as was requested for the sew-along. I ran out of Christmas fabric, but had time for a few more pillowcases, which I know will be used at other times. After making my Batman themed presents, I had enough fabric to make one more Batman pillowcase. I'm fairly certain this pillowcase will be well received.

Last year, over at Passion et Couture, I saw a tutorial for a pillowcase without seams. I've been meaning to make one ever since, but it's still on my To Do list.

• Sausage Pillowcase - Passion et Couture
• Magic Pillowcase Tutorial - Organize and Decorate Everything
• Magic Pillowcase Tutorial - The Ribbon Retreat

When using a pillowcase tutorial online, just remember that pillows come in different sizes. Any tutorial can be easily modified to make it the size you want.

Even though this is a roundup of free pillowcase tutorials, I'm going to mention a pattern that I purchased for $2 - Design Your Own Pillowcase by BOO! Designs. 100% of the profit from the sale of this pattern is sent to charity.  The owl pillowcase and the one below it are based on this pattern, with the dimensions altered to fit a standard Australian pillowcase. There are several great options within the one pattern.

All the pillowcases on this page have been sent to Pillowcases for Oncology Kids, a group who sew and donate pillowcases to children undergoing treatment for cancer, in hospitals around Australia.

Have you ever made your own pillowcases? Do you have a favourite tutorial?

... Pam