Pillowcases, Cheap and Cheery

The last time I checked at the store a pair of pillowcases cost about the same as a full sized flat sheet. If you like to embroider or attach lace to pillowcases for gifts, that can get kind of pricey. If you have basic skills on a sewing machine, here is a way to get three pairs of pillowcases for the price of one.

You will need:
Patience and time (they will turn out nicer if you don't try to rush)
A sewing machine and a basic knowledge of how to use it.
A steam iron and ironing board
A full flat sheet - one for a double bed - and thread to match
Scissors and a flat place to cut the sheet
Fabric marking pen with disappearing ink
Seam ripper (optional)

Wash and press the sheet before you start, to get all the shrinking out of the way.

The width of the sheet - 81 inches - is the width of two pillowcases.

Measure the sheet. Each pair of pillowcases needs to be 30 ¼ inches long, plus a hem. Sometimes you can get away with using the top and bottom hem of the sheet for the hems for your pillowcases, but be sure that there is at least 32 or more inches for the middle pair. If necessary you may have to pick out the hems and press the fabric smooth to have enough length for three pairs. If it is long enough just fold the sheet in half width wise. Measure 30 ¼ inches from the bottom of the hem and cut there.

This is how I do that. I fold the sheet in half width wise, bringing the two hems together, and smooth it out. Then I fold it in thirds the other direction. I measure up from the hems 30 ¼ inches and place straight pins about every eight inches. I lay my yardstick across just above those pins and using the fabric marking pen, draw a line along the yardstick on the side of the pins. If you fold it in thirds, it is easier to cut the shorter distance straight.

Now you have three pieces of fabric, which will become your three pairs of pillowcases.
Now turn under a hem on the middle piece so that it is 30 1/4 inches long also. First turn under ¼ inch and press it. Then turn that ¼ inch under so that the fabric measures 30 ¼ inches. Sew this hem in on your sewing machine. You should have more than a 1 inch hem. That inch excludes the 1/4 inch that was turned under. Two to three inches looks better.

Back to the three pieces of fabric. Fold each piece in half - side of sheet to side of sheet and cut along the fold. Since the sheet was 81 inches wide, you have two pieces for each width that are 40 ½ inches wide. When you fold these pieces in half and sew a French seam you will get a pillowcase that is 20" wide.

French Seam Directions: Put the wrong sides together and sew with 1/8 inch seam. IMPORTANT - the right side is on the outside. Trim the seam. Press the seam open and then turn it inside out. Now press along the seam line rolling to get a sharp edge. Then sew another seam along the same seam line, enclosing the raw edges inside the new stitching. Turn and press.

First sew the sides of all the pillowcases and then French seams across the tops. Before you turn the second seam on the pillowcase at the corner, trim it on the diagonal so that there won't be a big lump.

You now have three pairs of pillowcases ready to have lace attached or to be embroidered. I usually attach knitted lace. My Grandma Beal taught me the knitted lace pattern on two of the sets of pillowcases pictured. My favorite cousin, Merriellen, taught me how to make the pillowcases.