How to Sew Flanges on a Pillow Case

How to Sew a Pillowcase with Flanges

• 1

  Measure the pillow from top to bottom and side to side. Measure from the center of the pillow’s edges, so that the pillow’s thickness is included in the measurements as well.

• 2

  Cut one piece of fabric 7 inches larger than the height and width of the pillow. For example, if you have a 12-inch square pillow, cut a 19-inch square piece of fabric.

• 3

  Cut a second piece of fabric 2 inches longer than the first (for example, 19 inches wide by 21 inches tall). Cut this piece of fabric in half widthwise.

• 4

  Fold one long edge of the cut fabric over 1/4 inch toward the wrong side of the fabric and press the fold flat. Fold the edge over 1/4 inch again and press it flat. Stitch along the edge.

• 5

  Repeat step 4 for the other cut piece of fabric.

• 6

  Place the two hemmed pieces and the first piece of fabric right sides together and line them up along the edges. Overlap the hemmed edges slightly.

• 7

  Pin the pieces of fabric together, then stitch them together along all four sides.

• 8

  Turn the pillowcase right side out.

• 9

  Place a row of pins 3 inches from the edge of each side of the pillowcase, forming a border. These will be the flanges.

• 10

  Stitch along each line of pins, removing the pins as you sew. Clip any threads.

• 11

  Optional: Sew a piece of ribbon or trim on top of the stitching for extra decoration.

• 12

  Insert the pillow or pillow form through the back of the pillowcase.

How to Add Flanges to a Pillow Sham

• 13

  Measure the height and width of the pillow sham.

• 14

  Cut two strips of fabric, each 7 inches wide and 7 inches longer than the height of the pillow sham.

• 15

  Cut two strips of fabric, each 7 inches wide and 7 inches longer than the width of the pillow sham.

• 16

  Fold each long edge of each strip 1/4 inch toward the wrong side of the fabric. Press the folded edges to hold them in place.

• 17

  Fold each strip of fabric in half lengthwise and iron it flat.

• 18

  Cut the short ends of each strip at a 45-degree angle.

• 19

  Unfold one short strip and one long strip and place them right sides together, lining up the notches in one end. Sew the strips together along the notch using 1/4 seam allowance.

• 20

  Sew the other short strip to the other end of the long strip the same way. Sew the remaining long strip to the ends of the short strips.

• 21

  Refold the flanges in half, with the seams on the inside, and press the flanges flat again if needed. The flanges should form a rectangle like a picture frame.

• 22

  Overlap the open edges of the flanges with the edges of the pillow sham. (If you are using a pillowcase that opens on one end rather than in the back, overlap the flange on that side with the top layer of the pillowcase only, so that you don’t pin the pillowcase shut.)

• 23

  Pin the flanges to the edges of the pillow sham. Make sure you catch both the front and back of the flange in each pin.

• 24

  Topstitch the flanges to the pillow sham.