This pattern is based off a standard size pillowcase and assumes use of quilting weight cotton that is 44/45” wide. Seam allowances are 1/4”. We are using the “Burrito” method and French Seams.
The drawstring may be twill tape, ribbon, etc., or made with cotton fabric, as directed below.
You will need 4 coordinating fabrics for the pillowcase, including the drawstring.
WST: Wrong Sides Together
RST: Right Sides Together
WOF: Width of Fabric
Body: 27” x WOF
Cuff: 10” x WOF
Casing: 4” x WOF
Drawstring: Two @ 1” x WOF
1) Fold all pieces in half, neatly, selvedge to selvedge (as it comes off the bolt), lay the shorter pieces on top of the body, aligning the folded edges.
2) Align the folded edges with a line on your cutting mat, then cut the selvedge edges off all pieces at once, 21” from the fold.
This makes each piece 42” wide.
3) Prepare Casing: Take your casing piece and cut it in half so that you have 2 pieces
each 4 x 21”.
Hem each of the 4 short ends of casing pieces by folding in 1/4” then another 1/2” and stitching.
Press each casing in half to 2 x 19.5”.
4) Unfold the Cuff and place it Right Side UP. Unfold and place the Body also Right Side UP on top of the Cuff, aligning raw edges.
5) Place one Casing piece 1/4” from the center fold line of the Body, extending toward the outer edge, with raw edges aligned.
It will be 1.25” from the outer edge.
6) Repeat with the other casing piece, toward the other edge of the body. There should be 1/2” of space between each casing.
Place a few pins to hold in place.
1) BURRITO: Beginning on the opposite raw edge of the Body, roll it up toward the pinned edge, stopping about 2” from the edge.
2) Fold the bottom of the Cuff up to meet the other raw edges. Pin, pin, pin. Be careful not to catch the rolled Body in the pins.
3) Sew along the pinned edge. Pull the Body out of the tube and press.
4) Top Stitch the loose edge of the Casing down to the body 1/8” from the edge. Backstitch ends.
5) FRENCH SEAMS: Fold pillowcase in half WST and stitch from the Cuff edge, down the side and across the bottom.
6) Trim SA to 1/8”. Fold pillowcase RST, PRESS, then stitch from the Cuff, down the side and across bottom, encasing the 1/8” seam inside.
7) DRAWSTRINGS: Fold short ends in 1/4” and press. Then fold each piece in half lengthwise, WST and press a crease. Open again, then fold each raw edge into the pressed center line.
8) Fold back in half. Place a few pins or clips to hold, then stitch down the length of the drawstring about 1/8” from the folded edges. They will finish about 1/4” wide.
9) Using a Bodkin or safety pin, take one drawstring and feed one end through one casing, then the other, around the pillowcase. Match ends of drawstring and tie in a knot.
10) Repeat with other drawstring but start on opposite side of the pillowcase.
Pillowcase-Drawstring-Bag-SewSew.Life (pdf download)