SCHOOL of Learn it. Teach it. Sew Together. SEWING SHEA H ENDERS ON
PROJECT 1 SPEEDY PILLOWCASE The quintessential beginner project! This pillowcase teaches more skills than you think and is easy to personalize with fabric choices. You ll impress your friends and family when you show off the professional finish! We will warn you though you will want to make one for every bed in your house! Try making these from luxurious voile for the summer or cozy flannel for the winter. Features: French seams inside, no raw edges exposed, quick to make Finished size: 20'' x 30'' Fabric: Choose quilting cottons, flannel, or voile. GATHER 7 8 yard main fabric 3 8 yard cuff fabric CUT 27'' x 41'' from main fabric 9'' x 41'' from cuff fabric 1. Lay cuff fabric right side up on work surface. Position main fabric on top of cuff fabric, wrong side up. Match one 41'' edge of the main fabric with one 41'' edge of the cuff fabric. 2. Pin along length of matched edge. These pins are temporary. 73
# HOW TO PIN Insert pins into the fabric perpendicular to the raw edge. I suggest pinning each end first, then pin at the center. Continue splitting the difference and pinning in the center of two pins until you have pins every 3'' to 4''. I used ten pins when sewing my pillowcase cuff. 3. Roll up bottom edge of main fabric. Continue rolling main fabric until it is positioned in middle of cuff fabric. 4. Pick up bottom edge of cuff fabric. Bring over roll of main fabric and match to raw edge at top of work surface. Re-pin layers along 41'' edge. Three layers will be pinned: cuff, main fabric, and cuff. It looks crazy, but I promise this will work! I remember feeling this great sense of accomplishment when I finished this project. I remember thinking, If this tube comes out as a pillowcase, I will be utterly amazed. I ve never even heard of a French seam before Shea told us about it, but I made sure I told everyone I just did it! CHRISTINE 5. Sew along raw edges using 1 2'' seam allowance, backstitching at each end. Remember to pull out each pin before you sew over it. Fabric will form a tube. 6. Pull out main fabric from one side of tube. Cuff will now be right side out. 7. Press seam toward cuff. 74 SCHOOL of SEWING
8. Fold pillowcase in half, wrong sides of main fabric together. Match raw edges and pin where cuff meets main fabric. Pin along both raw edges. Don t worry! Wrong sides together is correct. Promise! You re about to sew a French seam, which will hide all raw edges. 9. Sew both raw edges, using 1 4'' seam allowance. Don t forget to pull those pins! PIVOT AT CORNERS LIKE A PRO! Here s how: When you are 1 4'' from the corner, stop with the needle down. Raise the presser foot and pivot the fabric to the next edge. Lower the presser foot and continue sewing the next edge. THE PROJECTS 75
EXTRA CREDIT Add extra detail to your pillowcase by sewing a trim piece at the cuff. This is called a flange. You ll need 1 8 yard of coordinating fabric. Cut a 1 1 2''' x 41'' strip. Fold and press in half along length of strip, wrong sides together. Pin along one 41'' edge of main fabric, right sides together and raw edges aligned. Don t be shy with the pins! Sew using 1 4'' seam allowance. Proceed with pillowcase instructions, starting at Step 1. Trim will be sandwiched between cuff and main fabric when pinning at Step 2. Sew slowly near cuff seam at Steps 8 and 9, as seam will be quite thick. 76 SCHOOL of SEWING
10. Trim seam allowance to 1 8''. 11. Turn pillowcase inside out. Press seam allowance flat, using your fingers to wiggle the seam as flat as possible. 12. Sew along both the side and bottom again, using 1 4'' seam allowance. Backstitch at both ends and pivot at the corner. 13. Turn pillowcase right side out. There! Aren t you so impressed with yourself? I loved going home with a finished product! The fancy French seam that we learned was also fun! You look at products that other people make, and you think to yourself, I could never do that! Until you do! And it s so cool to learn those tricks to making things look far more fancy than they really are! CALI THE PROJECTS 77