How To - Scrunchy Pillow Case

Here is the promised tutorial for a Scrunchy Pillow Case!  This is also being posted on Momma's Kinda Crafty.  I am tickled pink to be guest blogging today to help Joy out during her move.  I absolutely adore her blog, and have found many wonderful, helpful things there.  Please take the short hop to check out her blog, and leave a comment if you find something you like.

Scrunchy Pillow Case - With a Holiday Flair

This pillow case is a fun way to add a holiday flair to any room in your house using a standard bed pillow that no longer serves that purspose (reading between the lines: a pillow that you would never, ever use again on the bed, because it is flat, stained and limp).  This project sews up quickly using your normal straight stitch and zig-zag stitch to create finished non-raveling seams.  You can created this pillow case in a variety of fabrics to match any holiday (or room), when it's time for the next holiday all you need do is store the pillow case (not the bulky pillow) until next time.  This will help you save on storage space for your holiday decor.

Ingredients:

Fabric, 33"x29" (if you prewash this you will be able to throw the completed pillowcase in the washer/dryer without having to worry about shrinkage in the future)

Matching thread, thread a bobbin with this thread

Used Standard Bed Pillow

Kite String or other multi purpose nylon string

Your sewing machine

(side note:)  If your fabric is not 33" wide (mine wasn't) you can add a panel of fabric (either matching or not).  The double black lines show where I added my additional fabric.

Optional Step: Pin you fabric into a tube longways (will measure approximately 26.5"x21"), match up the raw ends of your tube and pin.  You should end up with a tube with two open ends.  Then you can stuff the pillow in to make sure you have the right size case to scrunch the pillow (as seen below).  Go ahead and thread the ends with the string, and make sure you are happy with how the pillow will come out.  This is optional, but does ensure that you have a good idea of what you are going to end up with.

Here is a close-up of the string I used, and how it "scrunches" the ends of the pillow.

1)  Sew you fabric into a tube.  Fold it longways for this first seam.  Make sure to pin frequently.

2) Turn your tube inside out, and then back sew this seam to create a strong, reinforced seam.  This completes the sewing of your tube.  If you add a fabric panel make sure that you do this step for both seams.  The size of the tube makes it easy to maneuver for sewing this step, just make sure you aren't sewing any of your fabric back to itself unintentionally.

3)  Next you will pen the raw ends of your fabric.  You will be pinning all four edges together.  This will "close" the first tube you created, and create the tube you will stuff your pillow into.  Make sure you leave a gap to thread your string through at each end of your raw edges. 

This shot shows where I stopped about 1/2" short of the edge to leave the hole for me to thread the string through easily.

4)  Trim the seam down to 1/8", and then run this seam back through the sewing machine using a zig-zag that overhangs your edge to finish the seam.   This creates a very strong seam that will hold up to be stuffed (even overstuffed) with your pillow, and will even hold up to a pillow fight, as me how I know this, LOL!

Not a great pictures, but you can almost see the zig-zag stitches.

5)  Turn your tube inside out, and prepare your pillow.

6)  Thread your string onto a paper clip/safety pin using a half-hitch.  I don't recommend the yarn needle I used as it poked holes through the fabric unless I was uber careful.  Thread your string through each end twice.  By doubling up your string, it is easier to create a closed end when you pull the two ends of your string to close the ends.

7)  Now pull those babies closed, and double knot.  I did a couple extra knots just to make sure (like I said pillow fights can happen anytime).  Then trim the ends of your thread close to the knots and tuck inside the ends of your scrunchy pillow case.  When it comes time to switch out the pillow cases, just cut the string (throw it away), pull of the old holiday case, and put on the next one!

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