Adding Lace to a Pillowcase...

Believe it or not, I've just finished sewing a gift for Christmas this year and it's only February!!! I'm determined this year to avoid the last minute rush of organising gifts. I always make pillowcases for the little people in the family (and sometimes the big people), so this was an easy place to start.

Sometimes I use Christmas fabric, but often as not, I'll use fabric that's more suited to the bedroom of the recipient; in this case Purple Childhood Dream - Twill Cotton Bedding Fabric, given to me by Wholeport. The cuff and back are fabrics from my stash.

Because I often make pillowcases, I have pattern pieces cut to size, originally taken from measurements for the pillowcase tutorial by Flower Press. This tutorial gives measurement for Australian, UK and US pillow sizes.

This time, I've added lace; White Cotton Lace Trim Floral Eyelet Lace Trim, from Wholeport. The lace adds a nice little touch, and is super easy to do. 

• Line up the raw edge of the lace with the raw edge of the main fabric and sew the two together.
• Place the cuff on the top of the main fabric and sew together. The lace, already sewn to the main fabric, will be sandwiched between the two, with the raw edge of the lace flush with the raw edges of the cuff and main fabric. 
• Neaten the seam by overlocking (serging) or zig zagging.
• Fold the seam away from the cuff and towards the main fabric.
• Decide which side you want the lace to sit and topstitch over the seam. In this case, I wanted the lace on the main fabric, so I've topstitched over the lace.

The second pillowcase will become a birthday present. How organised am I? For this one, I had enough fabric for both the front and back; Lovely Kitty Pure Cotton Fabric Sheeting, from Wholeport, with gingham from my stash for the cuff.

This time I wanted the lace over the gingham. The seam is still pressed towards the main fabric, and that's the side to topstitch, so the topstitching for this pillowcase is on the opposite side to the lace.

There was enough fabric to make two extra pillowcases, one of each fabric. These will be donated to  Pillowcases for Oncology Kids.

Thanks, Wholeport, for giving me the lace and most of the fabrics used in making all four pillowcases.

Pillowcases really are quick and easy projects... perfect if you are new to sewing. There are lots of tutorials online. Last year I did a roundup of pillowcase tutorials.

One Christmas present done. These two pillowcases are packed away and labelled. Sandra, from Sandra Sews, is doing her best to keep me organised and on task for Christmas sewing this year. We'll see how I go!!!

... Pam