Hey everyone. Today we're sewing a plush pillowcase that feels like a boutique hotel pillow.
Here we go.
Meet the fabric
This is the "Jewel" Velvet Fabric from Belagio Enterprises.
It is part of the Jewel Collection.
And oh my goodness, it is rich.
This is a luxurious, high-performance velvet.
It brings deep, saturated color to a room.
It has an incredibly soft pile.
What sets this velvet apart is sheen.
It has a high-luster finish.
It is more vibrant and reflective than matte velvets.
That jewel-toned brilliance is the point.
The fabric catches and reflects the light.
That light highlights the depth of the dye.
Really really pretty, folks.
It is crafted from 100 percent polyester.
That gives you a durable, resilient surface.
It resists the crushing we worry about.
It resists marking too, which matters here.
Silk and cotton velvets mark more easily.
This one was made to handle use.
It is a substantial, heavyweight fabric.
It has a rich, dense texture.
And it still has a supple drape.
It is engineered for high-traffic use.
It is rated for heavy-duty upholstery.
So it holds its elegant appearance over time.
It comes 56 inches wide.
That generous width is great news.
We can cut a pillowcase without piecing.
The project: a velvet pillowcase
We are making one queen pillowcase.
Finished size is 20 by 30 inches.
It has a simple envelope back.
No zipper teeth against that pretty pile.
No buttons to fuss with either.
Just a smooth front and an overlap.
Why does this fabric suit a pillowcase?
First, that soft pile feels wonderful.
It turns an everyday pillow into an accent.
Second, that sheen does the decorating.
One solid case looks finished and tailored.
Third, that durability really helps.
A pillow gets handled every single day.
This velvet was built for daily use.
Super duper cute on a bed.
Completely up to you where it lives.
Materials
- 1 yard of "Jewel" Velvet Fabric
- All-purpose polyester thread to match your fabric
- A size 80/12 or 90/14 universal needle
- A walking foot, if you have one
- Sharp scissors or a rotary cutter and mat
- Clips instead of pins, plus a long ruler
- A marking tool and a hand needle
- A standard queen pillow form, 20 by 30 inches
- Your iron, on a low steam setting
Brief steps
First, check the nap direction.
Run your hand down the fabric.
One direction feels smooth, one feels rough.
Mark the smooth direction on the back.
Cut every piece with nap running down.
That keeps the color consistent, folks.
Next, cut your front piece.
Cut it 21 inches wide.
Cut it 31 inches long.
Now cut two back pieces.
Cut each 21 inches wide.
Cut each 20 inches long.
They will overlap in the middle.
Hem one long edge on each back.
Fold it under half an inch, twice.
Stitch close to the fold.
I like a stitch length of 3 millimeters.
Velvet likes a slightly longer stitch.
Now lay the front right side up.
Lay both backs right side down on top.
Line up all the outside edges.
Let those hemmed edges overlap about 6 inches.
Clip all around the outside.
Stitch around with a half-inch seam.
Go slowly at the corners.
Slow down or the layers will shift.
Trim the corners at an angle.
Do not clip into your stitching.
Turn the case right side out.
Push the corners out gently.
Just like that, you are almost done.
Slide your pillow form inside.
Smooth the front with your hand.
Practical tips
Test on a scrap first, always.
Check your tension on that scrap.
Velvet pile can hide a loose stitch.
Use clips instead of pins where you can.
Pins can leave marks in the pile.
Press from the wrong side only.
Use low heat and a light touch.
Never park a hot iron on velvet.
You can crush that pretty pile flat.
I learned that one the hard way.
I pressed a front, right side up.
It left a shiny iron-shaped spot.
We laughed, I turned it into the back.
Nobody ever knew except me.
That is your permission beat, folks.
It does not have to be perfect.
You are your own worst critic.
Take your time, it is not a race.
If I can do this, y'all can do it.
We're not reinventing the wheel here.
We are just dressing up a pillow.
Make one, or make a matching pair.
Alrighty, that is completely up to you.
Thanks so much for sewing along with me today.
We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the "Jewel" Velvet Fabric at Linda's Electric Quilters.
