THE easiest bed pillowcase to sew – the roll-up or burrito method.

This DIY bed pillowcase is THE easiest sewing project ever. From beginner to advanced seamsters, this roll-up or burrito pillowcase method is a thrill.

What kind of tools do I need to make a pillowcase?The speed at which you can crank out pillowcases is so satisfying. So, if you want some immediate gratification these pillowcases are the answer. Or if you’re teaching your children to sew, this project is the answer. This burrito method is essentially only two lines of stitching or maybe three if you count the French seam as two.
If you have all the supplies on hand you could have four beautiful custom pillowcases on your bed in one afternoon. So let’s get started with the tutorial.Gather your three coordinating fabrics and determine what size you want your pillowcase.

My pillow form is a queen size and the tag says it measures 20″ x 30″. So I cut my body fabric 26″ x the width of the fabric, which is 45″.

No matter what size pillow you have, the cuff piece will always be cut 12″ x width of fabric(45″). The skinny trim piece will always be cut 2″ x width of fabric.

In the picture above I have the fabric folded with the selvages together(at the top of the picture). So I cut through both layers at once.

After cutting all three fabrics to size, press the skinny trim piece in half lengthwise. Lay the body fabric on a flat surface with selvages to the left and right.
Lay the 2″ trim piece on top of the body fabric with the cut edges lined up. Notice the body fabric is right side up and the trim piece is still folded in half lengthwise. Next lay the cuff fabric on top of the body, and the trim piece, making sure to carefully line up the cut edges.  Notice the cuff piece is face down.  Then pin all four layers(body fabric, folded trim fabric and cuff fabric) together with pins set parallel to the cut edges.  Once the layers are pinned together, pick up the cuff piece and unfold it to expose the trim.  Then roll the body fabric up to the trim piece…hence the name burrito or roll up method. This is where the explanation gets tricky in still photos.  Definitely watch the video of this part.

Bring the cuff fabric back over the rolled up body fabric.  Then pick up all the layers including the burrito roll and flip it all over to meet the other edge of the cuff fabric. Again …watch the video for this part. 😉

Line up the two cut edges of the cuff fabric carefully, reposition the pins to include that bottom layer, and then sew a 1/4″ seam all the way down the cut edge. At this point all the fabric is enclosed in the 12″ cuff piece.

After the seam is sewn, open the end of the roll and pull the rolled fabric out of one end. It doesn’t matter which end.

You see how beautifully the seams are tucked away on the inside of the cuff?  It’s magic.

Now fold the pillowcase wrong sides together and trim off the selvage edges.  Then pin the two open sides and take the pillowcase to your sewing machine and sew a 1/4″ seam down the side and the bottom. Make sure this first seam is with wrong sides together. This is a French seam so you always sew the first seam with wrong sides together unlike any other sewing.

Press the first seam open, then turn the pillowcase wrong side out and sew another seam directly inside the cut edge of the first seam.
You see…the second seam totally encloses the first and you don’t have any raw edges showing anywhere. That’s the beauty of a French seam. In clothing it can be a bit too bulky, but for some home decor projects a French seam is tops. Like unlined drapes!
That’s all there is to it!   Four custom, charming, hardworking pillowcases in one afternoon. Oh…the satisfaction of a finished project on a single day is choice!

Check out the video…it really clears up some of the details.