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Monday 30 April 2018

Sewing A Sleepover Pillowcase

My nieces and nephew are regularly coming over for sleepovers. They always insist on bringing their own pillows, along with pj's, a book or two, and the older one carts the cellphone and charger along as well. This makes for a very uncomfortable parcel to bring to my place. With this in mind, I decided to make them each a sleepover pillowcase. On the one side, it is simply a plain pillowcase, but on the other side, it has pockets for all of those trivia which is always carried over by an irate adult. I then added a handy handle to the top of the pillowcase, making it a very neat parcel that can be carried in one hand. I show you how to make this handy pillowcase in today's blog.


Take your measurements from any pillowcase in the house. Measure the length times two.


Add the fold-over and the seam allowance.


Measure the width and add seam allowance.


I found that 155x50 cm would be about right.


Alternatively, you can simply lay a pillowcase on your fabric and cut around it, allowing some space for seam allowance.


Only one side needs to be cut longer for the fold-over.


I decided on a collection of fabrics to use in the project.


Cut a pocket to hold the pajamas, with a lid. Cut a lining for each piece as well.


I will cut a book bag from this fabric.


The book bag also needs a lining.


I will cut two pockets of equal size to hold the cellphone and its charger.


These also need lining.


These are the measurements I worked on. I also cut a handle from a piece of leftover fabric, which is not included in these measurements.


This is the scheme for my 7 year old nephew.


My 11 year old niece will enjoy these colours and motifs.


The 6 year old niece is very fond of pinks and owls.


Fold the handle in half lengthwise.


Sew along the length of the handle.


Turn the handle inside out.


Lay the small pockets with rights sides facing on their lining.


Sew along three sides.


Cut the corners.


Turn inside out and fold the open end in. Pin down.


Sew the book pocket in the same way as the smaller pockets. Leave only a small opening to turn it inside out.


Cut the corners.


Turn inside out.


Fold the opening in and pin down.


Sew the 'lid' of the big bag on three sides.


Cut the corners.


Turn inside out, fold the opening in and pin down.


Sew the big pocket and leave a small opening.


Cut the corners.


Turn inside out, fold in the opening and pin down.


Set the sewing machine to zigzag, or get out the overlocker.


Overlock the four sides of both pieces of the main pillowcase.


Iron all of the pieces flat.


Pin all the pockets in place. I simply pinned the handle down temporarily so as not to forget it later.


Mark buttonholes on the flap of the big pocket. Sew the buttonholes and open them.


Sew the open side of the flap.


Sew the buttons on by hand.


Sew along the top edge of the flap.


Sew around three sides of the big pocket, leaving only the top open.


Sew along three sides of the book bag, leaving only the top open.


Sew along three sides of the smaller pockets, leaving only the tops open.


Make rolled hems on the open ends of the pillowcase.


Sew the rolled hems


Lay the pillowcases with right sides facing. fold the flap over the other pillowcase.


Sew along the three closed sides.


Do not forget to insert the handle in the middle of the side of the pillowcase. Make sure that it is on the open sides of the pockets.


Iron all the of the seams and hems flat.


Insert a pillow in the pillowcase.


Slip pajamas into the big pocket.


Slip a book into the book bag.


Slip the cellphone and its charger into the small pockets.


This pillow is ready to go on a sleepover!


Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
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