Appropriate pillowcases are:
- Made of a washable no-iron fabric that kids will like (cotton or flannel)
- Made of cheery, colorful, fun fabrics
- Appropriate for boys or girls, younger children as well as adolescents
- Sized to fit a standard pillow (21″ x 32″)
- Store-bought or hand-made
- Washed or clean, and put into individual ziplock bags
Pillowcase Patterns
There are a number of free patterns available online. Here’s one that’s pretty simple:
Supplies:
- 3/4 yard of fabric for pillowcase body
- 1/3 yard of fabric for the border of pillowcase
- NOTE: Please wash the fabric before sewing your pillowcase. This is helpful especially for the protection of children with suppressed immune systems.
Sewing Instructions:
- Cut the body of the case: 26.5″ x 40.5″
- Cut the border of the case: 10.5″ x 40.5″
- Fold the pillowcase border in half lengthwise, with the wrong sides together, and press.
- Place the right side of the pillowcase border on the right side of the pillowcase body.
- Stitch them together using a 1/2″ seam allowance.
- Place right sides of the pillowcase together. Stitch down the side and across the bottom.
- Turn to the right side and press.
- Bonus step: Finish seams so that the pillowcases will not fray
When the pillowcase is done, please place each one in its own ziplock bag.
If you’re ready for a more challenging pillowcase project, check out these instructions for the “Hot Dog” method of pillowcase construction (courtesy of Erica’s Craft & Sewing Center, South Bend, IN).