Sleepover Ruffle Pillowcase Tutorial

Sleepovers are one of my fondest memories as a little girl.  I loved staying overnight with my girlfriends, watching movies, giggling and trying to see if we were able to stay up the whole night (which never actually happened).  I had a really neat sleeping bag that I took to sleepovers and I always felt really special when I brought it over to my friends houses.

So, here’s a tutorial to make your darling little lady her very own “special” sleepover pillowcase.  This pillowcase would also be great as a special “travel” pillowcase or would be super-cute for a little toddler going to daycare who needed a nap-time pillow and blankie.

Supplies:
Different patterned Fabric
1 package of rick rack
Fusible interfacing (such as WonderUnder)
Sewing Machine
Thread
Iron and ironing board

Directions:

First you will need to cut your fabric pieces.  The pieces are sized as follows for a large standard sized pillowcase:

Main body fabric: 27″ X 42″
Cuff fabric: 11″ X 42″
Ruffle fabric: 5″ X 88″ (will need to cut 2 pieces 5″ X 44 and stitch together)
Rick Rack: 42″

Here are your fabric pieces after they have been cut.  Next you will need to sew them together – 1/2″ seam allowance unless otherwise noted.

For the main body of the pillowcase you will need to sew one shorter side and one longer side – right sides together.  As you can see here, I used my serger, but simply for convenience, you can definitely use a regular sewing machine for this.

So you should have one side open after you have sewn the other sides together.  Then turn the main body of the pillow right side out and press with your iron.

For the cuff, you will need to sew the one shorter-side of fabric – right-sides together.

This is what your cuff will look like after you have sewn the one-side together.  Then turn it right-side out and press your seam open.  For the cuff you will need to fold it in half long ways, wrong-sides together.

To make the long ruffle pieces, sew the ends – right-sides together.  Once you have sewn the ends together you will have a big circle.  Then you need fold it in half (wrong-side together) and press with your iron.

To make the ruffle, you need to set your sewing machine on the longest straight stitch possible.  Then stitch around the entire circle on the raw edge side (not the fold) – 1/8″ seam allowance.  Do not back-stitch at the beginning or the end or the gathering will not work.

This is what your ruffle piece will look like after you finish your long straight stitch.

In order to gather and form the ruffle, you need to pull on one of your threads.  Keep doing this until you reach the desired ruffle length.

Once you have formed your ruffle, pin it to the main body of the pillowcase.  The ruffle should be pointing inward towards the main body.

Stitch your ruffle onto the main body of the pillowcase.

This is what your ruffle will look like after you have stitched it to the main body of the pillowcase.

Next you need to attach the cuff.  Pin the cuff the same way you did the ruffle.  The folded edge should be pointed inward towards the main part of the pillowcase and the raw edges should be towards the outside.

Here is what the cuff will look like before you stitch it down – make sure you pin it well.

Once you have sewn the cuff and the ruffle, press them with your iron in the opposite direction that they were sewn…….see, doesn’t it look nice and pretty now?

If you don’t care to attach the rick rack trim, then I would suggest top-stitching on top of the pink (main body) 1/8″ seam allowance to secure the ruffle and cuff into place.  If you are going to attach the trim (in the next step) then don’t worry about this step.

Pin your rick rack right on the seam between the main body of the pillowcase and the ruffle.  Pin all the way around.

Stitch the rick rack into place.  Do this by sewing down the center of the trim.

This is what the rick rack will look like after you have stitched it to the pillowcase.

If you would like to add a monogram or name to the pillowcase then simply cut out letters out of coordinating fabric and follow the directions on your fusible interfacing to secure them to the fabric.

Then zig-zag stitch around each of the letters.  You can also do a simple straight-stitch, I would just recommend using fray-check around the edges so it will still look nice after washing.

And there you have it!  A special pillowcase for a very special little lady!
This is a set of pillowcases that I made for a customers twins for their 2nd birthday.  They will be taking these pillowcases and matching patchwork blankets to their daycare for nap time – SO cute!!

Like this post? Want even more?
Sign up below and receive all my tutorials, recipes and updates directly in your email inbox.

37 Comments

  1. These are super cute Lindsay! I love the initials to make them feel extra special.

  2. I love it!

    Not sure my son would love it so much, though…

    Makes me want a girlie! 😀

    Maybe I will just have to make one for myself and have a big girl sleepover! 😛

  3. Following you now, from Friday Follow (a little late!!)
    Jennifer @ The Craft Barn
    http://www.thecraftbarn-ny.blogspot.com

  4. Oh what a great DIY project. You are one clever and crafty girl.

    I just finished a project that took 23 years to complete.
    Come take a peek.

  5. Love those!! The fabric choices are just too cute. Great job 🙂

  6. Fabulous! Totally Love it. I love handmade projects whether its crafts, food, and anything else!

    http://www.livingonhomemade.com

  7. these are adorable!!

  8. This is so cute – I love the fabric choices, so bright and happy!

  9. What a great tutorial! Thanks for visiting my blog, its so fun to get to know new bloggers!

  10. This is beautiful!! I found you through New Friend Friday. Love what I see here on your blog!

  11. Those are super cute. Love!

  12. So so pretty! I will have to make these up. I especially love the fabric that you used…what line is it?

  13. I love this! You always have the CUTEST stuff. Come link up http://iheartnaptime.blogspot.com/2010/05/sundae-scoop-faves-and-link-party_21.html

  14. Hi Lindsay! Love how you put these together!.. So CUTE! I’ll have to gather some fabric one of these days to try some myself!.. FOR MYSELF! (0; Thanks for the tutorial! ~tina

  15. So cute! Thanks for the tutorial!

  16. My Nieces are coming to stay with me for a week. They are 7 and 9. I believe they would love to make these. I’ll cut out all the fabric and help them sew their own! What a great way to introduce them to sewing! Thank you for your tutorial. Kim

  17. I love the pillowcases they a darling my daughter wouls love to have one!

  18. Oh I love that pillowcase. It is so cute.

  19. Great tutorial! I just featured it on Everything Etsy! 🙂

    ~Kim

  20. I cannot believe how cute these are! I want some for my bed!

  21. Anonymous says

    Just want to say what a great blog you got here!
    I’ve been around for quite a lot of time, but finally decided to show my appreciation of your work!

    Thumbs up, and keep it going!

    Cheers
    Christian, iwspo.net

  22. These are fantastic! I just found your blog and it is great! 🙂
    I was wondering if you would share what fabric line you used for these. I love the color combinations, they would look great in my daughter’s room! 🙂

  23. Thank you everyone for your lovely comments – I read each and every one and they really make my day!

    Kim, I used Art Gallery Fabrics, Girly Girl line for these fun pillowcases. Perfect for any little lady!! Hope this helps 🙂

    Lindsay

  24. What a darling idea! Thank you for your nice comments on my blog. I just made it public a few weeks ago and it has been so much fun to discover creative and inspiring women and their blogs! I’m following yours! I have two girls to, and a third girl on the way–hooray for girls!

  25. These are beautiful!

  26. So pretty! Love the tute!

  27. Seriously? The idea is so cute….and the fabric….and add ruffles. OH MY GOODNESS! I cannot stand it for one more second. I’m having a cuteness overload. Don’t I need one of these? Even though I don’t go on sleepovers? Or is that a requirement? Saw this on the CSI and I love it!

  28. These are absolutely adorable! I am bookmarking this project.

  29. These are simply stunning! I want one! I’ll have to add these to my project list! 🙂

  30. Wonderful tutorial! I used it to make a pillowcase for ConKerr cancer (inspired by crafthope.com). I linked you on my blog with a pic of my final product: http://middlebrookfamily.blogspot.com/2010/08/craft-hope-conkerr-cancer.html.

  31. Very Nice Thanks!! Just joined your blog 🙂 Pop by if you get a chance.

  32. Thanks for this tutorial! I made my own and blogged about it here http://jenbugsstory.blogspot.com/2011/01/sleepover-pillowcase.html
    Happy New Year!!

  33. Oh my! I wish I could express how excited I am that I came across your blog today! I got a sewing machine for Christmas, and I am so excited over your tutorials. I realize I’ve still got some major learning to do, but it’s great to know that they are here when I get the hang of it!
    I’m looking forward to being a follower of your blog and “getting to know” you!

    -Many Smiles
    Ashley

  34. Anonymous says

    What a fun Idea! I can’t wait to make these for my (future)granddaughters! P.S. I love, LOVE your blog. All your beautiful creations are just my style. Going in my Favs!

  35. wow such a lovely pillowcase
    thanks for the great tute
    i was wondering if you could tell me what the fabric line is? hope this wasnt already asked, i didnt go thru all the comments

Trackbacks

  1. […] beautiful sleepover pillowcase tutorial is from The Cottage Home! Wow! I love the fabric she […]