Materials:

• a vintage pillowcase

• needle and thread or sewing machine

• 1 yard of ribbon in a coordinating color cut into 4 equal pieces

• seam ripper

• Pillow (see notes)

Notes: I used narrow grosgrain ribbon, but this was just what I had on hand. You could use wide ribbon to make big bows or very narrow ribbon to make smaller, more discreet bows.

The pillow’s size will be 1/2 the length and the same width as the pillowcase used. For a standard size pillowcase (20” x 26”, use something roughly 20” x 13”. However, if the pillow is squishy, the size is more flexible, and many vintage pillowcases aren’t a standard size. The ribbons allow you a little more leeway to tie it off where it looks best. You could even put the ribbons into the side seams rather than the bottom.

Materials:

• a vintage pillowcase

• needle and thread or sewing machine

• 2 buttons: sized to hold the ribbon you choose

• 1/8 yard of ribbon or cording cut into 2 pieces

• seam ripper

• pillow (see notes)

Notes: Again, I used narrow grosgrain ribbon, but this was just what I had on hand. You could use narrower ribbon or even cording. Because this is a more discreet design, choose something that will disappear into your pillowcase. The same is true for the button. Make sure your button is large enough to hold the ribbon you choose.

The pillow’s size will be 1/2 the length and the same width as the pillowcase used. For a standard size pillowcase (20” x 26”), use something roughly 20” x 13”. However, if the pillow is squishy, the size is more flexible.

Step 3: Pin the Ribbons

Make a small loop of ribbon and thread it through a hole in the pillowcase. Pin in place. Repeat on the other side. Then sew either with a machine or by hand closing the hole again with your stitching.

Step 4: Sew the Buttons

Turn the pillowcase right-side-out. Fold in half and determine how far inside the case’s top edge you want your buttons to be. I placed mine about 2 inches inside. Mark the placement, and then sew a button to the edge seam on each side at the appropriate spot.

Step 5: Fill and Button

Iron the pillowcase carefully. Then place the pillow form inside the case, and button each side.

Pillowcase with Overlapped Ends

For this butterfly pillowcase, I started with leftover accent fabric from the window treatments I made for the room and a pillow form I had laying around. I thought about using ribbon or buttons to close the ends of the pillowcase, but I decided that since the pattern on the fabric was busy enough, I would just do a simple, folded end instead.

This pillowcase method is very easy, but you do need a sewing machine.

Materials:

• fabric to cover your pillow form

• sewing machine

• coordinating thread

• pillow

• straight pins

Notes: for my pillow I used about 3/4 yard of fabric to cover an 12” x 24” pillow that is fairly full.

The fabric I used is a high-quality quilting fabric called El Tiempo de Mariposa by Alexander Henry Fabrics.

Wash and iron your fabric before you begin.

Step 1: Pin the Fabric

With the wrong side out, wrap the pillow in the fabric and pin the side seam. Trim as needed.

Measure the fabric at the open end. You will want the fabric at that end to equal about 1/3 the length of the pillow. So, for example, my pillow was 24” long, and I left 6” extra at the end of the pillow trimming off the rest.

Step 2: Sew the main seams

Remove the case from the pillow, and stitch the seam you have pinned. Use a mock French seam to keep the raw edges neat.

Step 3: Close One Open End

Iron, pin, and close the open end of the pillowcase. I used the end with the selvage so I didn’t need a mock French seam on this end.

Step 4: Hem the Open End

Fold the end over twice. Iron and pin. Then stitch. I created a 1” hem to keep things neater.

Step 5: Fill the Case

Turn the pillowcase right-side out. Fill with the pillow form.

Step 6: Fold the Ends

Tuck the long end of the pillowcase inside, folding the entire end to the same side of the pillow and pulling it smooth. This makes for a neat end.

While I chose to leave mine with a clean look, you could sew a button and a loop closure or use ribbons or even a frog closure to finish it off.

This is part of a larger post about the bedding and framed art choices for the Guest Room Refresh.

Check out the rest of this week’s update here:

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