More Pillowcases

Some people have asked about making them and I honestly don't have a "pattern". When I did them the first time I took a pillowcase I had and just measured it. So here are the measurements. The width is 39 1/2 inches and the length is 33 1/2 inches. What I do after ironing my material is take one of the ends and start with a 1/2 inch hem (the hem is going to be on the 39 1/2 inch side--not sure if that helps, hard for me to explain which side). Oh and this is the wrong side facing up. I measure 1/2 inch and fold over, pin and iron the hem down. Then I take that hem and fold over again for a 2 inch hem. This is actually the cuff of the pillowcase. Pin it down and iron again. Then I sew a straight stitch all the way down the hem (cuff) to hold it down (the whole 39 1/2 inches). Then with the material print side facing each other and the wrong side facing out. Pin it together in the shape of your pillowcase. Sew all the way around the outside (obviously not the top! lol). Which will end up being the bottom and one side (since the other side is already attached with the material starting out 39 1/2 inches wide). Turn inside out, poke corners out and then iron along all the edges. :-) Have fun!! lol

So here are the ones I got done this week.

Halloween for DS (I hope you can see all the cute different kids dressed up in their costumes!)

Easter for DS

Valentine's Day for DS
Patriotic holidays for DS

I cut out two of the last Patriotic ones, because I needed to finish two tonight to meet my goal of completing 5 for the week. Well, I really was trying to get the last one done and I don't understand how I could make basically the entire first pillowcase with the right tension and it turned out great (except for the very last five inches). So I go to make the second pillowcase and the tension is horrible! I tried to fix it several times and ended up ripping out the stitch twice. I don't know why it doesn't work now. I don't know why it didn't work with the Halloween ones I made last week either. I know the fabric is thicker, but I adjusted the tension and it still didn't work. If any great seamstresses are out there can help me fix this I would really appreciate it. Otherwise, I won't be using thick material in my machine anymore! lol I have looked at the owner manual, but since it was written in like 1950 when people actually sewed often I guess they figured people knew what the heck they were showing you and describing in two sentences. I look at it and have no clue what I am supposed to do to fix it! I am frustrated and ready to go to bed instead! :-)

So for next week, I will try to get the rest done. My quilts are not happening this month I don't think. I guess they will be April's project since I still haven't started and I am basically not going to be able to do both. I would rather have at least one project totally done and one not started than two partially done, but neither completed. I will update my goals on my family blog tomorrow.