How to Sew a Travel Size Pillowcase

by Elizabeth / Saturday, 02 September 2017 / Published in DIY Tutorials

Creating a travel-size pillowcase is a quick and rewarding project, perfect for beginners and seasoned sewists alike. A custom pillowcase adds a touch of home comfort to your travels and allows you to choose fabrics that suit your personal style and preferences. This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, ensuring a beautifully finished product.

1. Gather Your Supplies

Before you begin, it’s important to have all your materials ready. Here’s a checklist of what you’ll need:

Fabric: Choose a soft, durable fabric. Cotton, linen, or a blend are excellent choices. For a touch of luxury, consider silk, known for its smoothness and breathability. You’ll need about 1/2 yard for a standard travel pillowcase.
Sewing Machine: A basic sewing machine is sufficient for this project.
Thread: Select a thread that complements your fabric.
Scissors or Rotary Cutter: For clean and accurate cuts.
Measuring Tools: A ruler or measuring tape is essential.
Pins: To hold the fabric in place while sewing.
Iron and Ironing Board: For pressing seams.

2. Measure and Cut Your Fabric

Accurate measurements are crucial for a well-fitting pillowcase. Travel pillows come in various sizes, but a common dimension is around 12 x 16 inches. Here’s how to measure and cut your fabric:

Determine Pillow Size: Measure your travel pillow, adding an extra inch to each dimension for seam allowance and a bit of wiggle room. For a standard 12″ x 16″ pillow, cut your fabric 13″ x 17″.
Cut Two Rectangles: Cut two pieces of fabric, each measuring 13″ x 17″.
Optional: Add Fabric for a Cuff: If you want a decorative cuff at the open end, cut an additional piece of fabric about 13″ wide and 4″ tall.

3. Assemble the Pillowcase

Now, it’s time to put the pillowcase together.

Prepare the Cuff (if using): If you have cut a cuff, fold the cuff in half lengthwise, with the wrong sides facing each other, and press along the fold.
Pin Cuff to Front Piece: With the right side of one of your 13″ x 17″ pieces facing up, place the folded cuff edge along one of the 17-inch sides of the main fabric piece. The raw edges of the cuff should align with the raw edge of the fabric. Pin them together.
Sew Cuff to Fabric: Using a 1/2 inch seam allowance, stitch along the pinned edge, attaching the cuff to the main piece. Remove pins.
Press Seam: Press the seam open using your iron. Then fold the cuff over and press again.
Place Right Sides Together: Take the two 13″ x 17″ fabric pieces and place them on top of each other, with the right sides facing each other. Align the edges carefully. Ensure the cuffed edge is on top.
Pin and Sew: Pin along the three open edges (the two 13″ sides and one 17″ side, opposite the cuff). Sew around the pinned edges using a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Make sure to leave the cuffed side unstitched. Backstitch at the start and end of the seam for durability.

4. Finish the Pillowcase

With the sewing done, there are a few finishing touches to ensure a professional look:

Trim Corners: Clip the corners, being careful not to cut into the seam. This will help the corners look neater when turned right-side out.
Turn Right-Side Out: Turn the pillowcase right-side out, pushing out the corners.
Press: Iron the pillowcase, paying particular attention to the seams. This step makes the pillowcase look sharp and well-made.
Optional – French Seams: For added durability, you can choose to sew french seams. Instead of sewing the initial seam with right sides together, sew with wrong sides together using a quarter inch seam. Trim the seam allowance. Turn the fabric so right sides are together and iron the edges. Sew with a 1/2 inch seam allowance, enclosing the first seam.
Optional – Topstitch: Topstitching around the open edges can add a decorative finish and help keep the seam flat after washing. This is achieved by sewing a straight stitch near the outer edge.

5. Care Instructions

To keep your travel pillowcase looking its best, follow these care instructions:

Fabric Type	Washing	Drying	Ironing
Cotton	Machine wash in warm or cold water.	Tumble dry low	Iron on medium heat, if needed.
Linen	Machine wash in warm or cold water.	Air dry or tumble dry low	Iron on high heat while slightly damp.
Cotton Blend	Machine wash in warm or cold water.	Tumble dry low	Iron on medium heat, if needed.
Silk	Hand wash or machine wash on delicate cycle in cold water.	Air dry flat	Low heat or steam iron when slightly damp.

Conclusion

Sewing a travel-size pillowcase is a wonderful project that combines practicality with creativity. By following these steps, you can easily create a custom pillowcase that’s perfect for your travels or as a thoughtful gift. The ability to choose your fabric allows you to personalize this simple item, ensuring comfort and a touch of home wherever you go.