Hey everyone. Today you'll learn how to make a crisp burrito pillowcase, and how to trim every seam clean along the way.
First, let's talk about the scissors. These are the 714 - Micro Serrated Scissors from Famoré. They measure 4.5 inches. That is a small, handy size for close work at your machine.
The details matter here. High carbon stainless steel. Sharp tips. A straight, micro serrated blade. And a large handle with a large ring. That handle gives you room and control. Your fingers do not feel crowded.
That micro serrated edge is the real story. It grips the fabric lightly as you cut. The fabric does not slide away from the blade. So you get precision and control, just like that. For thread tails, seam allowances, and little whiskers, that grip really helps.
I reach for a small pair like this all day long. Big shears are great for yardage. This little bad boy lives right by my machine. It stays there for the small, fussy cuts.
The project: a burrito pillowcase
Our project is a standard burrito pillowcase. It finishes at about 20 inches by 30 inches. That fits a standard bed pillow nicely.
It is called a burrito for a simple reason. You roll the main fabric up inside the cuff. You stitch, unroll it, and oh my goodness — the seam is hidden. Super duper easy, and it looks really really neat.
Why do these scissors suit this project so well? A pillowcase is all small finishes. You trim the cuff seam. You clean up thread tails at every corner. You grade little allowances so nothing feels bulky. A 4.5-inch pair gets in close without getting in the way.
What you will need
- One pair of 714 - Micro Serrated Scissors (4.5in)
- Main fabric: 3/4 yard of quilting cotton, cut 27 inches by 41 inches
- Cuff fabric: 1/4 yard, cut 9 inches by 41 inches
- Accent strip: cut 2 inches by 41 inches, pressed in half lengthwise
- Matching thread, and a machine needle in size 80/12
- Pins, an iron, and a ruler and rotary cutter for the long cuts
Brief steps
Lay your cuff fabric right side up, 41 inches wide. Place the folded accent strip along the top edge. Raw edges together, please.
Lay the main fabric right side down on top of that. Line up the top edges. Now roll the main fabric up from the bottom. Roll it until it sits inside the cuff area.
Wrap the bottom edge of the cuff up and over the roll. Pin all those layers together at the top. Stitch with a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Use a stitch length of about 2.5 millimeters.
Now pull the roll out gently through the end. Just like that, your burrito is done. Press it well. Press the accent strip flat, and press the cuff seam toward the cuff.
Here comes the scissor moment. Trim any thread tails flush. Snip the little whiskers at the cuff corners. Ease in with those sharp tips. Take tiny bites, and do not chase a loose thread under the needle.
Finish with French seams for a clean inside. Sew the side and bottom wrong sides together first at 1/4 inch. Trim that allowance down to about 1/8 inch with your 714s. Turn it, press it, then sew again right sides together at 3/8 inch. That second pass hides every raw edge.
Tips from my table
Here is my warning at the moment of risk. Slow down when you trim that first French seam. If you cut too close, the seam can poke through later. Leave a good, honest 1/8 inch. Slow and steady wins here, folks.
Let me admit a mistake, too. I once trimmed thread tails while the fabric was still moving. I nicked a tiny V right into my cuff. I had to add a little patch of accent fabric over it. Learn from me. Stop, set the fabric down, then snip.
You have options on the cuff, too. Skip the accent strip for a simpler case. Or make the cuff deeper, completely up to you. My preference is with the accent. It just frames the main fabric so nicely. But the other way is just fine.
And here is your permission beat. If your roll is a little uneven, it is still a good pillowcase. You are your own worst critic. Wash it, put a pillow in it, and step back. Take your time. It is not a race. If I can do this, y'all can do it.
Thanks so much for sewing along with me today. We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the 714 - Micro Serrated Scissors (4.5in) at Linda's Electric Quilters.
