What you need to sew a pillowcase cover

A pillowcase is one of the easiest sewing projects because it is essentially a rectangle folded and sewn on three sides. You need two pieces of fabric cut to the same size, thread that matches or complements your fabric, a sewing machine (or needle and thread for hand sewing), scissors, pins, and a measuring tape. Most people also use an iron to press seams flat as they work, which makes the finished pillowcase look neater.

The fabric pieces should be cut to the finished size of your pillow plus half an inch on all sides for the seam allowance. A standard pillow is 20 by 26 inches, so you would cut two pieces that are 21 by 27 inches. Cotton, linen, and cotton blends are the easiest fabrics to work with as a beginner because they do not slip around as much as slippery fabrics like satin or silk.

Key Takeaways

  • Cut two identical rectangles of fabric, each half an inch larger on all sides than your finished pillow size to account for seams.
  • Pin the two pieces with the right sides facing each other, then sew three sides using a straight stitch with a half-inch seam allowance.
  • Turn the pillowcase right-side out through the opening, press the seams flat with an iron, and sew the opening closed by hand or machine.
  • A basic pillowcase takes one to two hours to complete and requires only a sewing machine or needle, thread, and scissors.

Cutting and preparing your fabric

Measure your pillow and add one inch to both the length and width to account for seam allowance on all sides. Lay your fabric flat on a clean surface and use a measuring tape and a ruler or straight edge to mark the cutting lines with a pencil or fabric marker. Cut both pieces as straight as possible—uneven edges will show in the finished seams.

Before you sew, check that both pieces are exactly the same size by laying them on top of each other. If one is slightly larger, trim it to match. Press both pieces with an iron set to the appropriate temperature for your fabric to remove any wrinkles. Smooth fabric is easier to pin and sew accurately.

Pinning and sewing the three sides

Place the two fabric pieces with the right sides facing each other—the pretty side of the fabric should be on the inside, and the back sides should face out. This is important because you will turn the pillowcase inside out later, which flips the seams to the inside where they belong. Pin along all four edges, spacing pins about three inches apart.

Thread your sewing machine with thread that matches your fabric or a neutral color. Set the machine to a straight stitch with a stitch length of about 2.5 millimeters. Starting at one corner, sew along one long side using a half-inch seam allowance—most sewing machines have a guide line marked on the needle plate to help you keep the seam straight. Sew all the way to the corner, then stop with the needle down, lift the presser foot, and pivot the fabric 90 degrees to sew the next side.

Continue sewing around three sides of the rectangle. When you reach the fourth side, leave an opening of about four to six inches unsewn. This opening is where you will turn the pillowcase right-side out. Backstitch at the beginning and end of each seam to lock the thread so it does not unravel.

Turning and pressing the pillowcase

Trim the seam allowance at the four corners to about a quarter inch, cutting diagonally across the corner without cutting into the stitches. This removes bulk so the corners lie flat when you turn the pillowcase right-side out. Clip into the seam allowance along the curved edges if your pillowcase has any, though a basic rectangle does not need this step.

Reach through the opening you left unsewn and grab the fabric on the inside. Pull gently and steadily until the pillowcase turns right-side out. Use a blunt tool like a chopstick or the eraser end of a pencil to push the corners out from the inside so they are sharp and square. Press the entire pillowcase with an iron, paying special attention to the seams and the opening, which should be creased flat.

Closing the opening

You can close the opening by machine or by hand. For a machine-sewn closure, fold the raw edges of the opening inward by half an inch and press them flat. Pin the opening closed, then sew it shut using a straight stitch and a half-inch seam allowance, just as you did for the other three sides. This is fast and strong.

For a hand-sewn closure, fold the raw edges inward by half an inch and press them flat. Thread a needle and knot the end. Use a ladder stitch (also called an invisible stitch), which hides the thread inside the fold of the fabric. Bring the needle up through one folded edge, cross over to the opposite folded edge, and slide the needle inside the fold for about a quarter inch before bringing it back out. Cross back to the first side and repeat. The stitches will be nearly invisible when you pull the thread snug. Knot the thread inside the fold when you reach the end.

Finishing touches and care

Once the opening is closed, press the entire pillowcase one more time with an iron to smooth out any wrinkles from handling. If you used a machine to close the opening, you may want to topstitch around the perimeter of the pillowcase—sewing a line about a quarter inch from the edge all the way around. This is purely decorative but gives the pillowcase a more finished, professional look.

Wash your new pillowcase before using it if you have not already washed the fabric. Most cotton and cotton-blend fabrics shrink slightly when first washed, so pre-washing prevents the pillowcase from becoming too small. Wash in cool or warm water with mild detergent, dry on low heat or air dry, and press again if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sew a pillowcase by hand without a sewing machine?

Yes. Use a needle and thread to sew a straight stitch or a backstitch along the seam lines, keeping the stitches about an eighth inch apart. Hand sewing takes longer—usually two to three hours—but the result is the same. Use the same half-inch seam allowance and follow the same steps for pinning, turning, and closing.

What is the difference between a pillowcase and a pillow sham?

A pillowcase is a straightforward envelope that slides over a pillow. A pillow sham is a decorative cover that usually has a flap or closure on the back and may include trim, buttons, or other embellishments. A basic pillowcase is the easiest project to start with.

Do I have to use a half-inch seam allowance?

No, but half an inch is standard and works well. A quarter-inch seam allowance is faster and wastes less fabric, but it is harder to sew straight as a beginner. A three-quarter-inch seam allowance is stronger but uses more fabric. Stick with half an inch until you are comfortable with the process.

What happens if my seams are crooked?

Slightly crooked seams will not affect how the pillowcase works, though they may be visible if your fabric is a solid color or has a pattern. The pillowcase will still fit your pillow and hold up to washing. If the seams are very uneven, you can unpick them with a seam ripper and sew again.

Can I add a zipper or buttons to close the opening instead of sewing it shut?

Yes, though it is more complex. You would sew the zipper or button band into the opening before turning the pillowcase right-side out. This is a good next project once you are comfortable with the basic pillowcase.