A pillowcase is two fabric rectangles sewn together on three sides, turned right-side out, and closed with a hand stitch

A basic pillowcase takes about an hour to sew by hand or machine and requires only fabric, thread, a needle or sewing machine, and scissors. You will cut two rectangles of fabric to size, pin them together with the right sides facing inward, sew three sides with a straight stitch, turn the whole thing inside-out through the opening, and then close that opening with a ladder stitch or whip stitch by hand. The finished pillowcase will fit a standard pillow insert.

This is one of the easiest sewing projects because the seams are straight, there are no curves, and mistakes are forgiving—a slightly crooked seam will not show once the pillow is inside. You can use cotton fabric, linen, flannel, or any medium-weight woven fabric. Avoid stretchy knits unless you have a serger or ballpoint needles, because they can pucker.

Key Takeaways

  • Cut two rectangles of fabric 21 inches by 27 inches for a standard pillow, adding a half-inch seam allowance on all sides.
  • Pin the two rectangles together with the right sides (the pretty sides) facing each other, then sew three sides with a straight stitch a half-inch from the edge.
  • Turn the pillowcase inside-out through the unsewn opening, push the corners out with a blunt tool, and press the seams flat with an iron.
  • Close the opening by hand using a ladder stitch, which is nearly invisible once the pillow is inserted.

Measure and cut your fabric rectangles

A standard bed pillow is 20 inches by 26 inches. To account for the seam allowance (the half-inch of fabric you will lose when you sew), cut two rectangles that are 21 inches by 27 inches. If you are making a pillowcase for a different size pillow, measure the pillow itself, then add one inch to both the length and width.

Use a ruler or measuring tape and mark the cutting lines with a fabric pencil or chalk. Cut straight along the lines with sharp fabric scissors or a rotary cutter. Fabric scissors should be used only on fabric—using them on paper or thread will dull them quickly. If you do not have fabric scissors, regular scissors will work, but they will not stay sharp as long.

Pin the rectangles together with right sides facing

Lay one rectangle flat on your work surface with the right side (the side you want to show) facing up. Place the second rectangle on top of it with the right side facing down, so the two pretty sides are facing each other and the wrong sides (the back of the fabric) are facing outward. This is called "right sides together."

Pin the two layers together along all four edges, placing pins about 2 inches apart. The pins should go through both layers and be perpendicular to the edge so they do not slip out when you sew. You do not need to pin the entire opening you will leave for turning—you will leave one of the short ends (the 21-inch side) completely unpinned.

Sew three sides with a straight stitch

If you are using a sewing machine, set it to a straight stitch with a stitch length of 2.5 to 3 millimeters. Thread the machine and test it on a scrap of fabric first. Place the pinned fabric under the presser foot so the needle will go a half-inch from the edge. Sew along one long side, removing pins as you reach them. At the corner, stop with the needle down, lift the presser foot, turn the fabric 90 degrees, lower the presser foot, and continue sewing.

Sew the two short sides and the remaining long side, leaving one short side completely unsewn. This unsewn side is where you will turn the pillowcase right-side out. Backstitch at the beginning and end of each seam to lock the thread. If you are sewing by hand, use a running stitch or backstitch, keeping your stitches about a quarter-inch long and a half-inch from the edge.

Trim the corners diagonally about a quarter-inch from the seam, cutting away the excess fabric at each corner. This step, called "grading the seams," prevents the corners from bunching up when you turn the pillowcase right-side out.

Turn the pillowcase right-side out and press

Reach through the unsewn opening and grab the fabric from the inside. Pull gently and steadily until the entire pillowcase is turned inside-out and the right sides are now facing outward. The seams should now be hidden inside. Use a blunt tool like a chopstick, wooden spoon handle, or point turner to push out each corner from the inside so they are sharp and square rather than rounded.

Lay the pillowcase flat on an ironing board and press it with a warm iron. Pay special attention to the seams and the edges so they are crisp and flat. This makes the final hand-stitching easier and makes the finished pillowcase look more polished.

Close the opening with a ladder stitch

Thread a needle with thread that matches your fabric. Tie a knot at the end. Bring the needle up through the fold of fabric on one side of the opening, so the knot is hidden inside the seam. Slide the needle along inside the fold for about a quarter-inch, then bring it back out and cross over to the opposite side of the opening.

Slide the needle into the fold on the opposite side and travel inside the fold for a quarter-inch, then come back out. Cross back to the first side and repeat. This back-and-forth motion creates a ladder pattern inside the fold, which is why it is called a ladder stitch. The thread runs hidden inside the fold on both sides, so the stitch is nearly invisible from the outside.

After every inch or so, gently pull the thread to close the opening. Work slowly and do not pull too hard, or the thread will break. Once the opening is closed, bring the needle to the inside, take a few small stitches in place, and tie off the thread. Trim the excess thread.

Insert the pillow and finish

Slide a pillow insert into the opening. The pillowcase should fit snugly around the pillow. If it is too loose, your seams may have been too large; if it is too tight, your seams may have been too small. For future pillowcases, adjust your seam allowance accordingly.

Once the pillow is inside, the ladder stitch will be completely hidden and the seams will be invisible. Wash the pillowcase in cool water and dry it on low heat or air-dry it to keep the fabric from shrinking or fading.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a sewing machine instead of sewing by hand?

Yes, a sewing machine is faster and produces more consistent seams. Use a straight stitch, backstitch at the start and end of each seam, and sew a half-inch from the edge. You still close the opening by hand with a ladder stitch.

What if I do not have a ladder stitch and just want to sew the opening closed?

You can sew the opening closed with a whip stitch or backstitch, but the seam will be visible on the outside. A ladder stitch is nearly invisible, which is why it is preferred, but any stitch that holds will work.

Can I make a pillowcase without turning it inside-out?

Yes, if you sew all four sides closed and do not turn it, the seams will be on the outside. This is called a flat-felled seam or French seam style and looks intentional if done neatly, but it is not the traditional pillowcase finish.

What fabric weight should I use?

Medium-weight woven fabrics like cotton quilting fabric, linen, or cotton sateen work best. Lightweight fabrics like voile may tear easily; heavy fabrics like denim are hard to turn and sew. Avoid stretchy knits unless you have ballpoint needles and experience with them.

How do I prevent the corners from puckering?

Trim the corners diagonally before turning the pillowcase right-side out. This removes the bulk of fabric at each corner. Push the corners out firmly with a blunt tool once the case is turned, and press with an iron to flatten the seams.