134 Part 3: More Techniques
Create your own unique bedding
by personalizing a plain pillowcase!
Adding a simple pleated strip of
fabric and a ribbon embellishment
are quick and easy ways to freshen
up the look of your bedding. This
is a great project for someone
just learning to sew—just a few
basic sewing skills are required, and
everything comes together pretty
quickly!
What You Need
• Knowledge of straight seams, knife pleats, and topstitching
trim
• Level of difficulty: Beginner/easy
• Premade or store-bought pillowcase
• 3-inch-wide x 120-inch-long (7.5 x 305 cm) contrasting fabric
strip (for a standard-size pillowcase)
• Straight pins
• Measuring tape
• Fabric marking pencil
• Fabric scissors
•
1
⁄
4
-inch-wide×21-inch-long (.6 x 53.25 cm) ribbon (or trim of
your choice)
•
1
⁄
4
-inch-wide (.6 cm) fusible web (such as Steam-A-Seam)
• Iron
Practice Project:
Pleated Pillowcase
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135Chapter 9: Pleats, Tucks, and Darts
Measure and cut out the strip of fabric. You can
sew shorter pieces together to make one long
strip if desired.
Pleat the strip using the knife pleat method, form-
ing 1-inch (2.5 cm) pleats pleats along the entire
length. With the right sides together, sew the
short ends of the strip together to form a loop.
Measure 5 inches (12.75 cm) in from the open end
of the pillowcase, mark it, and cut it off. With the
right sides together, pin the pleated strip to the
open edge of the pillowcase.
With the right sides together, line up the raw
edges of the other side of the pleated strip with
the cut-off portion of the pillowcase, and sew
them together. Press so both seams point away
from the opening.
3 4
1
2
Pillowcase
Ribbon
Fabric strip
Press and baste stitch
along both long sides to
hold the pleats.
Finish off the edges of the
seams with a zigzag stitch
to prevent fraying.
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136 Part 3: More Techniques
Use your fingers to press the textured, sticky
side of the fusible web onto the backside of the
ribbon.
Peel off the paper backing and firmly place the
ribbon, sticky side down, in the space between
the pleats and the stitching line of the pillowcase.
5
6
Press a section of the ribbon with a hot iron to
heat up the glue and fuse it to the pillowcase—
5seconds under the iron is enough time. Pick
up and press the next section until all the ribbon
has been pressed. Fold under the cut end at the
overlap.
7
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137Chapter 9: Pleats, Tucks, and Darts
Even though the ribbon is fused, for extra dura-
bility, topstitch along both outside edges of
the ribbon. Slide your pillow inside, and you’re
finished!
8
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