How to Sew a Pillowcase: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Learn how to sew your first pillowcase using basic materials and beginner-friendly techniques. This tutorial walks you through everything—from choosing the right fabric to your final stitch. If you’re new to sewing, this is a perfect first project: it’s functional, forgiving, and honestly… kind of addictive once you get going.

Why Start with a Pillowcase?

You see, I still remember the first thing I ever made on a sewing machine. It was a pillowcase. And not a great one, either. But it worked. It fit the pillow. It didn’t fall apart in the wash. That was the moment I was hooked.

Sewing a pillowcase is a classic beginner project in the U.S. for a reason:

• It’s practical. You can actually use it right away—or gift it.
• It’s customizable. Want a flannel Christmas print? Or a subtle cotton floral for the guest room? Your call.
• It’s budget-friendly. Especially if you use coupons (hello, Joann!) or upcycle old sheets.
• It teaches real sewing skills. From fabric prep to seam allowance to stitch control, you’ll cover the basics.

If you’re just dipping your toe into sewing, this is a great place to start.

1. Understanding U.S. Pillow Sizes and Fabric Needs

Before you even touch the scissors, you need to know what size you’re working with. In the U.S., standard bed pillow sizes are:

Use 44” wide fabric, which is the standard bolt width in most American fabric stores. If you’re making multiple pillowcases, do the math first—or use a fabric calculator. (What I’ve learned the hard way: never assume you have “enough.” Always measure.)

2. Materials and Tools You’ll Need

You don’t need a huge setup—just the basics. Here’s what I keep in my beginner-friendly toolkit:

• 100% cotton fabric – breathable, soft, and easy to sew
• Sewing machine – I started with a basic Singer Heavy Duty and still use it for simple jobs
• Fabric scissors – I personally like Fiskars
• Rotary cutter + cutting mat – optional, but makes cleaner cuts
• Straight pins or clips – for keeping layers in place
• Measuring tape or quilting ruler – accuracy is everything
• Thread – cotton or poly-blend
• Seam ripper – trust me, you’ll need it

If you’re near a Joann or Hobby Lobby, you’ll find starter kits with most of this bundled. Don’t forget to use coupons—they always have one.

3. Prepping Your Fabric

Don’t skip this. I know, it’s boring. But prewashing your fabric before sewing is non-negotiable.

• Wash and dry using your regular settings (tumble dry low is usually safe)
• Iron with steam to smooth out wrinkles and shrink it fully
• Check the grainline—you want your cuts to follow it for less warping

Pre-shrinking avoids that awful moment when your beautiful pillowcase turns into a sad little pouch after its first wash.

4. Measuring and Cutting Your Fabric

You’ll need to cut your fabric based on your pillow size. For a standard pillowcase, I use:

• Main piece: 27″ x 21″
• (Optional) Cuff: 9″ x 21″
• (Optional) Trim: 2″ x 21″

Use a rotary cutter and cutting mat if you have them—it’s quicker and more precise. Lay the fabric right-side down and line up the selvage edge. I usually mark my lines with fabric chalk so they’re easy to see but not permanent.

Important: Add a ½-inch seam allowance all the way around unless your pattern says otherwise. That’s standard for U.S. sewing.

5. Sewing the Pillowcase: Step-by-Step

Now the fun begins. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect—what matters is that you do it. Here’s how:

Step 1: Fold and Pin

Fold the fabric right sides together along the long edge. Pin it in place.

Step 2: Sew the Side and Bottom

Use a straight stitch and sew down one short side and the long side. Backstitch at the start and end. Leave the top open.

💡 Tip: Keep your stitch length around 2.5mm and use medium thread tension (test on a scrap first).

Step 3: Trim and Press

Trim any loose threads and press the seams flat with your iron.

Step 4: French Seam (Optional but Recommended)

Turn the pillowcase inside out, press again, and sew the same seams with a ⅜” allowance. This hides the raw edges—perfect for pillowcases that’ll see the inside of your washer often.

Step 5: Hem the Opening

Fold the top edge under ¼”, then again ¼”. Press and pin. Stitch along the folded edge for a clean finish.

6. Adding Custom Touches (Optional)

Here’s where you can really have fun with it. I love making themed pillowcases for different seasons or holidays—stars and stripes for July, cozy flannel for winter, or even custom embroidered initials for gifts.

Try:

• Piping or trim at the cuff
• Appliqué shapes using heat-n-bond
• Bias tape or ruffles for a frilly look
• Monogramming with embroidery floss or a machine if you’ve got one

(One of my favorites? A Halloween set with glow-in-the-dark thread. Subtle but so fun.)

7. Common Beginner Mistakes (and Fixes)

Let’s be honest—mistakes happen. Here are the big ones I made (so you don’t have to):

• Uneven stitching? Check your feed dogs—they may not be moving the fabric evenly. Also, don’t pull the fabric too hard.
• Thread keeps breaking? Re-thread the machine and check your tension. Low-quality thread can also be the culprit.
• Fabric bunching? Check your bobbin placement and make sure your presser foot is fully down before starting.

When in doubt, rip the seam and try again. That’s what the seam ripper is for (and why I keep three of them… one is always hiding).

8. Caring for Your Finished Pillowcase

Once it’s done, you’ll want it to last. Here’s how I keep mine looking fresh:

• Machine wash cold with mild detergent
• Tumble dry low or hang dry to avoid shrinkage
• Press with a hot iron if you want crisp edges
• Avoid bleach unless it’s color-safe

If you used 100% cotton and pre-shrunk properly, it should hold up for years—even with weekly washes.

9. Where to Buy Sewing Supplies in the U.S.

I get asked this a lot. For beginners, here’s where I recommend looking:

In-store:

• Joann – Great for cotton prints and starter tools. Weekly coupons.
• Hobby Lobby – Good selection, especially for home décor fabrics.
• Michaels – Smaller sewing section, but good for tools and basics.

Online:

• Amazon – Quick for machines and kits (look for bundles with thread and bobbins)
• Fabric.com – Huge variety and reasonable prices
• Wawak.com – More advanced stuff, but great thread and needles

Don’t be afraid to shop clearance or remnant bins—I’ve made full sets of pillowcases out of under $10 in fabric.

Final Thoughts

Making your own pillowcase is about more than just sewing. It’s about learning a skill, creating something useful, and getting that very specific joy of pulling a warm, just-finished project out from under your sewing machine.

You’ll learn:

• How to choose the right fabric
• How to prep and cut accurately
• How to stitch with confidence
• How to personalize your work

And maybe most importantly, how to enjoy the process. So grab some fabric, thread your machine, and make that first stitch. Your pillow—and maybe your whole sewing journey—starts here.