Tutorial: How to make a Ruffle Pillow Case

My little girl is growing up and there's that awkward in between stage for when kids start needing a pillow. I had crib bedding for Hazel, but no pillow case to add to the set. I have made a pillow case before, but decided to add a little ruffle to this since it wasn't for a boy this time!

It was very simple, since pillow cases are simple to begin with. And let it be known that (at least for projects for myself!) I am an approximate sewer. I like things to look nice, but if they aren't absolutely perfect, I don't really sweat it. That being said, this is one of the first sewing tutorials I've done in a LONG time! So hope you all enjoy!

The first step I did was to get a pillow case I liked the size of and take the dimensions of it. Add a little to each side when cutting for your seam allowance.



Use these measurements to cut out 2 rectangle pieces of your pillow case body fabric.

Then decide how wide you want your ruffle to be (how much you want sticking out of the pillow case) and double the width, adding a little for the seam allowance.



To get the total length of the ruffle, measure all three sides (2 long and 1 short side) of the pillowcase and add the measurements together. You'll then double this number (you can get away with 1 1/2 times, but not less than that!) Cut out this long strip of ruffle fabric once you have your dimensions.

Fold it in half with the wrongs sides together (the pretty sides on the outside) and iron down the middle of the strip the long way.

If you have a serger, you can serge the raw edges together.



If not, you can zigzag it or just skip this step altogether. Once you have your long strip of fabric, use your favorite method to gather the fabric.

{A trick I love to do is to set my stitch length to the longest and then set my tension high so that the fabric gathers itself without needing to put on a ruffler foot. But make sure you practice this on a scrap piece of fabric first if you want to try this method for the first time!}

Once you have the ruffle gathered, go ahead and hem 1 of the short edges on each of the 2 pillowcase body pieces. This will be the edge that is left open to put the pillow in. You can add trim to it at this point if you would like to as well.



Then you just sandwich the ruffle piece in between the two pillowcase body pieces.



Pin all three layers together, making sure to catch all the layers.

Sew the three sides together (2 long and 1 short side) and serge edges if desired.



Turn it right side out...



And that my friends is it!!


Hope you enjoyed!