Thursday 10 April 2014

Adding Piping to a Pillowcase...


In January I purchased some fun pirate prints at Material Obsession, in Drummoyne (Sydney). They were 25% off and I just couldn't resist. At the time, I thought that perhaps I'd turn the fabric into pillowcases and that's just what I ended up doing.



Out of the 2m bundle, I was able to make four pillowcases, using fabric from my stash for the backs of each pillowcase. I'm always happy to help anyone who wants to downsize their stash and that's how I obtained the sailboat fabric. I think it was printed at Spoonflower.


The fabric on the left is Salty Sea  and the cuff, Captain Redbeard. Both are by De Leon Design Group, for Alexander Henry.

The second pillowcase is just the reverse of the first...


... with more sailboats on the back. 


Once again, I've used the pattern pieces I have already cut to size, originally taken from measurements for the pillowcase tutorial by Flower Press. To break up the blue, I've added some piping between the cuff and the main part of the pillowcase. It looks rather effective and is really easy to do.


My piping ended up at 3/8" wide. Here's how I made it...
  • Cut a strip of fabric 1.5" wide x the length of the cuff.
  • Fold in half lengthwise and press.
  • Line up the raw edge of the piping with the raw edge of the main fabric and sew the two together with a 1/4" seam.
  • Place the cuff on the top of the main fabric and sew together with a 3/8" seam. The piping, already sewn to the main fabric, will be sandwiched between the two, with the raw edge of the piping flush with the raw edges of the cuff and main fabric. 
  • Neaten the seam by overlocking (serging) or zig zagging.
  • Press the seam towards the cuff, so the piping is over the main fabric.
  • Topstitch on the cuff, 1/8" away from the seam.

If you are a visual person and would like photos of the process, let me know and I'll take photos next time I make a pillowcase.



As there was more of a contrast between the fabrics, I didn't add piping to the next two pillowcases. The striped fabric is Robotek by Mint Bossom, for Nortcott and the red, Blaggard's Bones by De Leon Design Group, for Alexander Henry.


The last two pillowcases will be donated to Pillowcases for Oncology Kids and the two at the top of the post will be Christmas presents. How organised am I? Not really, but I am trying to lessen the mad rush in December.

If you would like help getting organised early for Christmas, Fiona is hosting Ho, Ho, Ho and on We Sew, with a link party and giveaway every month.

I'll be visiting Material Obsession again tomorrow, this time for a screen printing workshop with Saffron Craig. I am so looking forward to a day of painting on fabric!!!

... Pam

10 comments:

  1. Those pillowcases are great - pirate prints are plain out FUN, and now I want to dive into my collection of pirate fabrics and play with them, lol. Next year pirate themed gifts are planned for either Christmas or birthdays, and I'll be buying some girl pirate fabric for the one little girl in the family :D

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  2. Pillowcases are great to make! A few years ago, I made each of my children a pillowcase and they still use them. One I made in pig fabric, another in penguins, and another with puppies. Kids love specialty pillowcases! I actually bought a pattern for it back then. LOL How nice of you to post instructions. :)

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  3. Great fabric combinations as usual Pam!

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  4. You are soo organised,Pam!!!Great pillowcases, spesial the last two (my boy will like them),to be doted is amazing idea- I'm shure they will make some kids happy!
    congrats

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  5. You somehow manage to get good prints Pam. I remember the dragonflies too :) Now pirates.. next what ;) Nice tute ..

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  6. They are really cool and the piping makes them look so proffessional. I fancied embroidering some pillow cases and adding a crochet edge, but we wouldn't use them as we have bed sets

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  7. The pillowcases are lovely Pam, the piping really sets the fabric off too. Thanks for the shout out for Ho Ho Ho and on We Sew too :)

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  8. Pillowcases have been on my to do list for a while, yours look great so I'll go and check out that tutorial....wish my boys were still little so they'd want pirate pillows haha

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  9. Love how your pillowcases turned out! Great fabric choices! I haven't made a pillowcase yet, and have always wanted to try! Thanks for the inspiration!

    Thank you for linking up to Fabric Frenzy Friday!
    -Lindsey
    Fabric Frenzy Friday

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  10. Such fun pillowcases! Thanks for linking up to Inspire Us Thursday on The Inspired Wren.

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