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To sew a pillowcase with flap, you’ll need fabric, thread, and basic sewing supplies.
Cut two rectangular panels for the front and back, with the back piece slightly shorter.
Position the back flap piece on the front panel’s raw edge, about 5 inches from the top. Fold and press the flap’s edges under, then stitch it in place.
Next, sew the front and back panels together, leaving an opening for turning. Clip the corners, turn right-side out, and press.
Edge-stitch the perimeter for a neat finish.
Now you’re ready to insert your pillow through the functional flap opening – no more wrestling required!
Want to learn additional stylish variations?
Table Of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Don’t wrestle with your pillow – sewing a handy flap keeps it snugly tucked in all night long. Sweet dreams, my friend!
- Unleash your creativity with decorative touches like embroidery, appliqués, or even fabric paint. Make that pillowcase a true reflection of your unique style.
- It’s all about the fabric, baby! Lightweight cotton blends like percale or sateen provide the perfect drape and softness for snuggle-worthy pillowcases.
- Listen, we all know sewing can be a bit daunting. But an envelope pillowcase? That’s the perfect confidence-boosting project for beginners. You’ve got this!
How to Sew a Pillowcase With Flap?
To sew a pillowcase with a flap, first construct the flap by folding and stitching a fabric piece, then attach it to the pillowcase body before assembling the rest of the pillowcase. This simple addition provides a decorative touch and helps keep the pillow securely inside the case.
Pillowcase Basics
Pillowcases are a simple but essential part of any bedroom decor. Standard sizes are 20" x 30" or 20" x 32", accommodating most pillows.
The key is choosing the right fabric weight – light to medium works best, like cotton percale, sateen, poplin, or broadcloth. Cotton-poly blends are also great options.
For an envelope-style pillowcase with a flap, you’ll need two pieces: a front piece slightly longer than the back. The raw edges get finished with an overlock stitch or zigzag for durability.
Then it’s just a matter of sewing the sides, creating the flap, and you’ve got a stylish, custom pillowcase! A little hand sewing at the end secures it all.
With just basic sewing skills, you can whip up pillowcases to refresh any room.
Materials Needed
For sewing a pillowcase with a flap, you’ll need a main fabric and a contrasting fabric for the flap – look for medium-weight, non-stretch materials like cotton percale, poplin, or broadcloth. As for notions, gather all-purpose thread to match your fabrics, basic sewing supplies like scissors, pins, a ruler, and marking tools, and don’t forget your sewing machine.
Fabric
Fabric selection is essential for a successful pillowcase.
You’ll desire a lightweight, smooth fabric with a nice drape – cotton percale, broadcloth, or sateen work well.
Quilting cotton is too stiff for this project.
Aim for ⅞ yard if using 44-inch fabric or 1 yard for 36-inch widths to accommodate the pillowcase’s finished dimensions.
Consider the fabric texture, color, and any prints to complement your bedroom’s aesthetic.
Notions
You’ll also need a few notions:
- Fabric scissors or a rotary cutter
- A cutting mat and ruler
- Fabric markers for tracing
Having the right tools makes sewing so much easier. A pressing surface and iron are essential too. Pay attention to fabric selection – cotton blends work beautifully for pillowcases and allow for easy personalization.
Cutting Instructions
With your fabric selected, let’s move on to cutting out the pieces for your pillowcase with flap.
Grab a ruler, fabric marker, scissors, and mat—you’ll want to measure carefully.
For the body, cut one rectangle at the desired pillowcase dimensions plus seam allowance.
Then, cut a second, slightly shorter rectangle for the back flap piece.
Pay close attention to the flap design; this extra panel gets folded and tucked inside.
Precision with measurements and seam allowances is key for a professional finish.
Have fun choosing fabrics and patterns that reflect your style!
Taking your time during this prep stage sets you up for smooth sewing.
Ready to get those pieces cut? Let’s move full steam ahead to constructing that flap next.
Sewing the Flap
Position the flap piece so that the right side is facing down on the pillowcase front panel, aligning the raw edges.
Pin the flap in place about 5 inches from the top raw edge.
Fold the flap’s raw edges under 1/2 inch and press.
Then, topstitch close to the folded edge to secure the flap in place.
Flap Placement
With the front and back pieces prepared, let’s focus on the flap placement. The flap serves dual purposes – adding a decorative touch and preventing your pillow from slipping out. Position the fabric’s wrong side facing you, aligning the shorter flap edge along the right side’s narrow end. Secure it temporarily with pins at each corner.
Flap Construction
For the flap construction, you’ll need:
- Fabric piece cut to desired size
- Iron to press seam allowances
- Pins or clips to hold fabric in place
- Sewing machine or serger to stitch flap
Fold fabric in half lengthwise, right sides facing. Stitch along short ends, leaving an opening for turning. Clip corners, turn right side out, and press. Edge-stitch around perimeter for a neat finish. Get creative – add embellishments, use contrasting fabrics!
Assembling the Pillowcase
With the flap constructed, you’re ready to assemble the pillowcase pieces. Place the two main fabric pieces right sides together, ensuring the printed sides face inward. Align the raw edges and pin or clip in place. Then, sew around the entire perimeter, leaving a gap for turning it right side out. I suggest a 3/8" seam allowance.
| Construction Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Align and Pin | Match right sides, align raw edges, pin pieces |
| 2. Sew Perimeter | Sew around outer edges, leave a gap for turning |
| 3. Turn Right Side | Pull fabric through gap to turn right side out |
| 4. Corner Clipping | Clip corners diagonally to reduce bulk |
Finishing Touches
To achieve a professional finish on your DIY pillowcase with a flap, pay close attention to seam finishing and pressing. After completing the main construction, neaten the raw edges using a zig-zag or overlock stitch, then give the entire pillowcase a thorough pressing, ensuring crisp folds and a polished look.
Seam Finishing
After assembling the pillowcase, give the raw seam edges a professional finish. Use a serger for clean, durable seams on cotton fabrics. No serger? Zigzag stitch or overcast the edges neatly. For an invisible finish, try a blind stitch or French seam. Add decorative top stitching for a custom look that shows off your skills.
Pressing
After seam finishing, give your pillowcase a good pressing. Use appropriate iron temperature for the fabric and place a pressing cloth over decorative fabrics. Pay attention to pressing seam allowances neatly while avoiding excessive pressure on decorative elements. A well-pressed pillowcase appears crisp and polished—the perfect finishing touch to your handcrafted sewing project.
Inserting the Pillow
- Turn the pillowcase right-side out and give it a good press to flatten the flap area.
- Reach inside and pull the flap panel outwards, creating an envelope opening**.
- Carefully insert your pillow form, gently pushing it into the corners until it’s snugly fitted.
Now that the pillow insert is in, simply tuck the flap back inside to keep it securely in place. The beauty of this flap design is that it prevents the pillow from falling out, even with nightly tossing and turning. For beginners, an envelope pillowcase like this is the perfect introductory sewing project to build skills and confidence.
Decorative Variations
You can take your pillowcase project to the next level by incorporating decorative elements that showcase your personality and style. Embellishments like embroidery, appliques, or fabric paints allow you to create unique designs, while selecting fabrics with vibrant colors or eye-catching patterns adds visual interest to your finished pillowcase.
Embellishments
Once the pillowcase is assembled, you can add decorative touches like embroidery accents or appliqué details. For example, stitch around the flap opening for a refined cuff appearance, or add lace trim or button embellishments. When choosing decorator fabrics, avoid quilting cottons which can cause pillowcase problems. Exercise your creativity while ensuring a smooth finish!
Fabric Choices
Beyond embellishments, fabric selection impacts both style and comfort. Consider color combinations that complement your decor, pattern matching for a cohesive look, or texture contrasts like a smooth satin pillowcase against a chunky knit blanket. For sustainable options, look for organic cotton, linen, or bamboo fabrics. Ultimately, choose fabrics you love for pillowcases that elevate every nap or night’s rest.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you sew a pillow with a flap?
Sewing a pillowcase with a flap is a clever way to keep that pesky pillow from escaping. It’s like a cozy little pocket ensuring your fluffy friend stays tucked in all night long.
Why do pillowcases have flaps?
A flap on a pillowcase keeps your pillow securely inside while making it easy to remove for washing. It’s a simple yet ingenious design that adds functionality and convenience.
How long does it take to make an envelope pillow?
With a little mastery, an envelope pillowcase takes about 30-45 minutes to whip up. Just get started – you’ll be a pro after the first one belongs in your skillset.
How to make a pillowcase?
cut fabric pieces, sew one short edge, finish raw edges, fold and stitch long edges, leaving an opening. Turn right-side out, press flat, and you’ve got a cozy new pillowcase!
How do you create decorative trim options?
Ever thought of adding a little pizzazz? Consider trimming the flap edge with rickrack, bias tape, or decorative stitching – it’ll make your pillowcase pop! A well-placed ruffle or embroidered motif can also liven things up.
What fabrics work best for print designs?
For printed designs, you’ll want to choose smooth, tightly woven cotton fabrics. Quilter’s cotton is a great option—the tight weave prevents fraying and really makes those prints pop. Just make sure to pre-wash to prevent bleeding or shrinkage down the line.
Can pillowcases be sewn without a flap?
Oh, you cheeky one! Of course pillowcases can be sewn without a flap – but where’s the fun in that? Why deprive yourself of the pure joy and convenience a folded flap brings? Embrace the flap, my friend, and let your inner seamstress shine!
How do you adjust sizing for specialty pillows?
To adjust for specialty pillows, measure the pillow’s dimensions. Increase pattern pieces by half the width and length. Sew as normal, leaving an opening for pillow insertion. Easy changes guarantee your pillowcase perfectly fits any unique size.
Are there techniques for preventing fabric fraying?
Did you know over 50% of sewers struggle with fabric fraying? Try these techniques: Use pinking shears, zig-zag stitch edges, or apply fray check liquid. For lasting results, finish seams with a overlock or serger stitch – your pillowcase will look professionally made.
Conclusion
Whether you’re sewing for pure enjoyment or revamping tired linens, this DIY pillowcase with flap offers both style and functionality.
Express your creativity on this versatile project – from vibrant patterns to delicate trims, the decorative possibilities are limitless.
Craft one that perfectly suits your space, then snuggle up in comfort knowing you’ve mastered how to sew a pillowcase with flap.
- sewingmachinebuffs.com
