Learn how to sew a pillowcase with a Contrast Cuff and Trim. You can create beautiful custom pillowcases in no time – for everyone!
Hopefully by now you have a sewing machine, your basic sewing tools and supplies, and have learned how to thread your machine, wind a bobbin and maybe even sewn a few stitches.
And maybe you even tried sewing a basic pillowcase following this tutorial. In fact, if you want a super easy and beginner friendly sewing project to try, you really should consider sewing a basic pillowcase. It’s even easier to sew than this pillowcase with a contrast cuff.
How to Sew a Pillowcase with Contrast Cuff and Trim
Skills Required
This sewing tutorial is for a pillowcase with a contrast cuff and trim. The skills you need to have to sew this pillowcase is:
- How to thread your sewing machine.
- How to load a bobbin (or maybe how to wind a bobbin) in your sewing machine.
- How to sew a straight stitch.
Equipment Needed
Obviously, you’ll need a sewing machine if you’re going to make a pillowcase. If you haven’t yet purchased a sewing machine, you can read about what to look for in a sewing machine and my beginner friendly sewing machine recommendations.
- sewing machine
- zigzag foot
- bobbin
- scissors
- rotary cutter
- cutting mat
- acrylic ruler
- steam iron and ironing board
Supplies Needed
You’ll obviously need fabric to sew a basic pillowcase. But, what type of fabric? I recommend that you use cotton, quilter’s cotton or a cotton blend. Here are the supplies needed:
- cotton fabric for main part of pillowcase
- cotton fabric for contrast cuff
- cotton fabric for trim
- matching thread
Video Tutorial
The easiest way to follow along and learn how to sew this burrito method pillowcase is to watch my video tutorial. Simply click on the image below to go to my YouTube video. While you’re there, be sure to subscribe to my channel so you can follow along with new sewing tutorials!
Sew a Pillowcase with Contrast Cuff
Learn how to sew a pillowcase with contrast cuff and trim using the easy "burrito method".
You can make this pillowcase using all the same fabrics, or three different fabrics (as shown in the photos). The combinations are literally endless.
Below you'll find fabric cutting information for a Standard, Queen, and King size pillowcases. You can, of course, make your pillowcase longer, if you wish, simply by adjusting the length of the main fabric or the cuff.
Materials
- cotton fabric for main part of pillowcase
- cotton fabric for cuff
- cotton fabric for trim
- matching thread
Standard Size Pillowcase
- main fabric, 3/4 yard
- cuff fabric, 1/4 yard
- trim fabric, 1/8 yard
Queen Size Pillowcase
- main fabric, 1 yard
- cuff fabric, 1/4 yard
- trim fabric, 1/8 yard
King Size Pillowcase
- main fabric, 1-1/4 yards
- cuff fabric, 1/4 yard
- trim fabric, 1/8 yard
Tools
- scissors
- rotary cutter, cutting mat & acrylic ruler
- pins or Wonder Clips
- tape measure
- iron & ironing board
- sewing machine
Instructions
Cut Fabric for Standard Size Pillowcase:
- Main fabric: 42"W x 27"L
- Cuff fabric: 42"W x 9" L
- Trim fabric: 42"W x 2" L
Cut Fabric for Queen Size Pillowcase:
- Main fabric: 42"W x 31"L
- Cuff fabric: 42"W x 9" L
- Trim fabric: 42"W x 2" L
Cut Fabric for King Size Pillowcase:
- Main fabric: 42"W x 45"L
- Cuff fabric: 42"W x 9" L
- Trim fabric: 42"W x 2" L
- Cut fabrics according to above fabric cut information for the size pillowcase you want to make.
- Take the trim piece of fabric and fold wrong sides together lengthwise and press.
- Layer fabrics with cuff fabric face-up, then main fabric face-up, then pressed piece of trim fabrice. Line up raw edges and clip or pin in place.
- Roll up the main fabric towards the pinned edge, but not all the way to the top edge.
- You should see the right side of the cuff fabric. Fold up the cuff fabric towards the top pinned edge and pin in place. The main fabric should not be rolled up inside the cuff fabric. And your layers will be cuff, main, trim, and cuff all lined up and pinned at the top raw edge.
- Sew across the pinned edge using a 1/4" seam allowance. Be sure to secure your beginning and ending stitches (use a backstitch). If you need help with how to secure the ends, see this video.
- Now, you'll pull the fabric pieces out through one of the opening ends of the cuff. This is your burrito and you're turning the burrito inside out.
- Once you have the fabric pieces all turned right side out, Press the cuff and trim so that they lay nice and flat. The folded edge of the trtm fabric should face towards the main fabric. Press both sides of the cuff.
- Fold the pillowcase in half lengthwise with right sides together. Line up the top folded edge of the cuff of the pillowcase. You'll also line up the side and bottom. But, it's more important to have the top edge lined up.
Recommended Products
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Be sure to Pin this tutorial to your favorite sewing Pinterest board to save it for later or to share with family and friends!
These pillowcases are so great. My friends and I made 200+ of them last fall to donate to children’s hospitals and foster organizations. They sew up so quickly and are fun to make. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with others.
Anne, that’s fantastic. Please pass my gratitude on to your friends (and you) for their kindness. I agree that they’re a quick sew and really fun to make.
Thanks so much!
Pam Baker
Hooked on Sewing
Hello.
Are there typos in the King size fabric dimensions?
Do you mean 42″ W x 35″ L ? And do you mean the word KING instead of Standard on the last pillow case dimensions?
Any information will be appreciated.
Daniel Murrieta
Hello, Daniel. The dimensions are correct for the King size pillow case:
Cut Fabric for King Size Pillowcase:
Main fabric: 42″W x 45″L
Cuff fabric: 42″W x 9″L
Trim fabric: 42″W x 2″L
And, yes, it should have said King instead of Standard – I have corrected that.
You can cut these pieces a shorter length, but I like to have extra fabric so that it covers the pillows well. I wouldn’t go shorter than maybe 42″ long though. I hope this helps! And thanks for catching my typo!
If I don’t want the contrasting trim, can I just leave that out?
You can definitely leave off the contrasting trim. It is purely decorative. Thanks for asking!
Pam Baker
Hooked on Sewing