Charity Pillow Cases

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Each member of the group brings: 2—one yard pieces of coordinating fabrics (Makes two pillowcases)

Stations No. of People Recommended
Station 1 Cutting  2
Station 2 Roll & pin 3
Station 3 Sewing border 3
Station 4 Turning and pressing 2
Station 5 Pin sides & bottom 2
Station 6 Sewing 3
Station 7 Sewing finish on edge 3
Station 8 Turn and press 3
final product

Equipment Needed:

Station 1: Cutting

  • Rotary cutter
  • Ruler
  • Cutting mat

Station 2: Roll & pin

  • Pins

Station 3: Sewing border

  • 3 sewing machines
  • 3 spools neutral thread
  • 3 scissors
  • 3 pin cushions
  • 3 paper thread bags
  • Masking tape

Station 4: Turning and pressing

  • 2 Irons
  • 2 Ironing boards

Station 5: Pin sides & bottom

  • Pins

Station 6: Sewing sides & bottom

  • 3 sewing machines
  • 3 spools neutral thread
  • 3 scissors
  • 3 pin cushions
  • 3 paper thread bags
  • Masking tape

Station 7: Sewing zigzag finish on edge

  • 3 sewing machines
  • 3 spools neutral thread
  • 3 scissors
  • 3 pin cushions
  • 3 paper thread bags
  • Masking tape

Station 8: Turn and press

  • 3 Irons
  • 3 Ironing boards

Station 1: Cutting

To make two opposite coordinating pillowcases:

  • Stack two 1 yard pieces with folds together.
  • Straighten edge along one side.
  • Cut two 9" pieces for border.
  • Cut two 27" pieces for pillowcase body. 

Place 9" and 27" pieces on top of each other with folds together. Cut 21" from the fold the full length of fabric (42" total width). 

Take one 9" border and the 27" coordinating pillowcase body and fold together. Pass to next station. 

station 1

station 1

Station 2: Roll & pin  

Lay coordinating border edge on a flat surface with “right-side” up. Place the “right side” of the pillowcase body on the “right-side” of the coordinating border edge matching raw edges. Pin edges together.

station 2

Roll width of pillowcase body toward the pinned edge. Stop rolling when you reach the middle of the border fabric. Do not roll border in with pillowcase body.

Wrap coordinating border edge fabric around rolled pillowcase body. Match raw edge and repin. Pass to next station.

Station 3: Sewing border

Sew a ½" seam allowance along the pinned edge. Back stitch
three or four stitches at beginning and end. Pass to next station. 

station 3

Station 4: Turning and pressing

Press seam flat before turning. Reach into sewn tube and pull the pillowcase body out from the side opening. The pillowcase border and body are now “right side” out. Press seam on both sides of border fabric until the seam lays flat eliminating wrinkles. Pass to next station. 

station 4

station 4

station 4

Station 5: Pin sides & bottom

With “right sides” together, fold pillowcase in half—matching the
raw edges. Pin edges. Pass to next station. 

station 5

Station 6: Sewing sides & bottom

Sew the side seam with a ½" seam allowance starting at the top of the coordinating border edge—backstitch at beginning. Sew to ½" from the corner, place needle down. Pivot at corner and continue sewing across the bottom of the pillowcase. Back stitch at the end. Pass to next station.

station 6

Station 7: Sewing zigzag finish on edge

Zigzag edges to prevent fraying. Pass to next station.

station 7

Station 8: Turn and press

Press seams flat to set the stitches. Turn, “right-side” out. Press the seam and give the pillowcase a final press. Fold and box up. Deliver to charity.

station 8

Authors

Susan Haws, USU Extension Agent, Summit County; Debra Proctor, USU Extension Agent, Wasatch County

Susan Haws

Susan Haws

Extension Associate Professor / Sewing and Textiles / Summit County

Home and Community Department

Phone: (435) 336-3218
Office Location: Summit County
 

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