Creating Memories: Personalized Pillowcases!!

Alright, personalizing pillowcases is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when having something personalized for a kid. However, I made these for both of my kids about a month ago, and this is the *only* pillowcase they use since then. The flannel gets softer and softer with each wash and they just *love* them. :)

Ok, enough of how cool they are... ;) Here's how to make 'em!

Finished size is that of a standard size pillow: approximately 29” x 20”

Supplies:

1 yard fabric of your choice (preferably a print- the farm equipment)

1/3 yard coordinating fabric of your choice (preferably a solid- light blue)

1/3 yard fusible paper backed interfacing (the kind that makes your fabric into a sticker- if you're not sure what this is, ask a person who works there)

1 skein of embroidery floss (I use white usually, but you can pick any color to match fabric)

Step 1: Pre-wash all of your fabrics and dry as you would normally do your wash. Note: Do not wash/dry your fusible interfacing! :)

Step 2: Iron your fabric to get any wrinkles that may have occurred during the laundering process. Cut away any of the frayed strings on the ends of your fabric.

Step 3: Fold each fabric in half lengthwise. They should each be approximately the same length that you began with.

Step 4: Cut your main fabric color in to a 25 1/2” x 20 1/2” rectangle on the fold. Note: your actual rectangle will be: 25 1/2” x 41” if you opened it up. Keep scraps for Step 6.

Step 5: Cut your coordinating fabric in to a 9” x 20 1/2” rectangle on the fold. Note: your actual rectangle will be: 9” x 41”.

Step 6: Trace your letters of desired name on your fusible interfacing- shiny side up. Note: Do not cut them out yet. Leave them whole. It makes it easier to iron on later.

Step 7: Preheat your iron to correct setting. Note: You will have to look at the directions on your fusible interfacing; it can vary from cotton to wool setting. If you make it too hot, the interfacing will not work properly and ruin your fabric.

Step 8: Iron your fusible interfacing to the fabric; your fabric from Step 4 is used here. Put the fabric face down (you will be looking at the back of it) and iron your fusible interfacing also face down (the shiny side will be touching the back of your fabric scrap) until completely adhered to one another. This should take no more than 90 seconds per letter. Let cool completely- about a minute. If your iron is not on the cotton setting, put it on there now so it is pre-heated for Step 12.

Step 9: Cut your letters out carefully.

Step 10: Take your fabric rectangle from Step 4 and fold in half width-wise. Note: your actual rectangle will now be: 25 1/2” x 20 1/2”. This is the main body of the pillow. Place aside for use in Step 14.

Step 11: Take your fabric rectangle from Step 5 and fold in half length-wise. Note: your actual rectangle will now be: 4 1/2” x 20 1/2”. This is now the coordinating edge of your pillowcase.

Step 12: Carefully peel away the paper backing on your letters and center your letters on your pillowcase’s coordinating edge to desired positions. Iron in place. Note: I placed mine so the name faces toward the edge of the pillow.

Step 13: Use the embroidery floss to sew the letters permanently in place. You could use your machine if you wanted to; but I like the look of this better; whatever your personal preference is it will look just fine. :) Note: Be careful, you don’t want to go through both sides of this; it is easier to do this if you open the coordinating rectangle, at this point.

Step 14: Now that the name placement is completed, fold the rectangle again like in Step 11 and place on top of the fabric rectangle from Step 10 with the correct sides (pretty sides) facing each other and pin together.