There have been claims that a silk pillow case can be a game changer when it comes to beauty sleep. Between preventing wrinkles in your skin and keeping your hair from breaking at the ends, it’s worth a try!
Most silk pillowcases aren’t cheap because the material itself is so expensive, but it’s such an easy sewing project to tackle that you can easily cut the price in half. To make two pillowcases, you will use two yards of 100% silk fabric and two zippers.
The pillowcase is a simple pattern using two rectangles that are sewn together on three sides and then connected with an invisible zipper. Because silk is so slippery, the pillowcase requires a zipper so it doesn’t slide off of your pillow every night.
You might initially be hesitant about working with silk because it is such a slippery and delicate fabric, but as long as you install a new needle into your sewing machine at the start of the project, there is no reason a normal machine can’t handle it! Let’s get started!
There are numerous claims about the benefits of using a silk pillowcase for achieving beauty sleep. It is believed that silk can prevent wrinkles and keep hair from breaking, making it a worthwhile investment.
Although silk pillowcases tend to be expensive due to the high cost of the material, making your own can help reduce the price significantly. It is a relatively simple sewing project that can be completed by using two yards of 100% silk fabric and two zippers to create two pillowcases.
The pattern for the pillowcase involves sewing together two rectangular pieces of fabric on three sides, and then attaching an invisible zipper. This zipper ensures that the pillowcase stays in place and does not slide off the pillow during sleep, which can often be a problem due to the slippery nature of silk.
Working with silk may initially seem daunting due to its slippery and delicate nature. However, by using a fresh needle in your sewing machine, you can easily handle silk fabric. Now, let’s get started on creating your very own luxurious silk pillowcases!
Supplies:
- 2 yards White 100% Silk Fabric
- 20-inch White Invisible Zipper
- White Thread d. Sewing Machine + Invisible Zipper Presser Foot
- Seam Ripper f. Pins g. Measuring Tape
- Iron and Ironing Board i. Fabric Scissors j. Sewing Needle k. Interfacing
- Tailor’s Chalk or Fabric Marker m. Pattern Paper n. Safety Pins
Time:
3-4 Hours
Difficulty:
Easy
Steps:
Prepare your workspace by setting up your sewing machine and ironing board. Ensure you have all the necessary supplies within reach.
Take your 2 yards of White 100% Silk Fabric and lay it out on your work surface. Smooth out any wrinkles or creases using your hands or the iron on a low heat setting.
Use the measuring tape to measure and mark the desired length of your garment on the fabric. Use tailor’s chalk or a fabric marker to make the markings. Add an extra inch for seam allowance.
Use the fabric scissors to cut along the markings, creating the main body of your garment. Ensure the edges are neat and straight.
If your silk fabric is lightweight, consider applying interfacing to the edges to give them stability and prevent fraying. Cut the interfacing into strips and attach them to the edges using an iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Fold the fabric in half lengthwise with the right sides facing each other. Pin the sides together, ensuring the edges align perfectly.
Thread your sewing machine with white thread and attach the invisible zipper presser foot. Sew the sides together using a straight stitch, leaving about a 1-inch seam allowance from the edge. Backstitch at the beginning and end for added durability.
Take your seam ripper and carefully remove the stitches in the center of one side seam, leaving a gap equal to the length of your zipper. This will create an opening for the zipper.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to attach the invisible zipper to the opening. Use your sewing machine to stitch it in place, ensuring the zipper teeth are concealed within the fabric.
Close the opening above and below the zipper using a regular straight stitch, backstitching at both ends. The zipper should now be invisible when the garment is worn.
Turn the garment inside out and try it on. Make any necessary adjustments for fit by taking in or letting out the seams using pins. Sew the new seams with your sewing machine, removing the pins as you go.
With the garment still inside out, fold the bottom edge to create a neat hem. Iron the folded edge to create a crisp crease.
Thread your sewing needle with white thread and use a slip stitch to hand-sew the hem in place. This stitch will be invisible from the right side of the garment.
Take your iron and ironing board and press the entire garment to remove any remaining wrinkles or creases.
Put on your newly sewn silk garment and admire your work! Enjoy wearing it for special occasions or dress it down for a more casual look.
LET’S GET STARTED!
1. Cut your fabric into four rectangles 21″ by 28″. Start with one pillow by lying two of the rectangles on top of one another with the right sides of the fabric touching. Sew one of the short edges together 1/2″ from the edge of the fabric with wide stitches.
2. Unfold the rectangles and iron them down away from one another. Take your zipper and pin it down on top of the area you just ironed with the invisible zipper side down facing the stitches. Using your invisible zipper presser foot, sew down the zipper through the two layers of fabric, turning the stitch and sewing over the ends of the zipper when you get to the end of the fabric.
3. Turn the fabric over so you can see the closed seam. Using a seam ripper, carefully rip out the threads covering the zipper to expose it. You will be left with a perfectly centered zipper.
4. To finish the pillow case, fold the fabric back again and line up the three remaining edges of the pillow case. Pin them together and sew around them once with a straight stitch and another time with a zig-zag stitch to keep the edges from fraying. Unzip the zipper and turn the pillowcase right side out.
5. Repeat each of the steps again to finish a second pillow case. Slide in your standard pillows and enjoy a good night’s rest!
To make your pillowcases even more unique and personalized, you can consider adding some embellishments or using different fabrics. Here are a few suggestions to make your pillowcases more interesting:
Add decorative trims or lace: Along with sewing the edges of the pillowcases, you can also sew some decorative trims or lace to give them a beautiful finishing touch. Attach the trim or lace along the edges, or even create a border design on the fabric.
Use printed or patterned fabrics: Instead of using plain fabric, consider using patterned or printed fabrics for a more vibrant and eye-catching design. Choose fabrics with floral patterns, geometric shapes, or any other prints that match your personal style or bedroom decor.
Applique designs: Add some applique designs to your pillowcases to create a unique and personalized look. You can use fabric scraps or pre-made appliques in various shapes and sizes. Applique a flower, initial, or any other design onto the fabric before sewing the pillowcase together.
Embroidery: Consider adding embroidery to your pillowcases for a customized touch. You can embroider your initials, a simple design, or even a meaningful quote. Use different colors of embroidery thread to create a visually appealing and textured effect.
Mix and match fabrics: Instead of using the same fabric for all four rectangles, you can mix and match different fabrics to create a more eclectic look. Combine solid colors with prints or use contrasting fabrics for an interesting visual effect.
Add decorative buttons or bows: Instead of using a zipper for closure, you can try using decorative buttons or bows. Attach the buttons or bows to one side of the opening and create corresponding loops or slits on the other side for closure. This adds a stylish and whimsical touch to your pillowcases.
Remember to always prewash and iron your fabric before cutting and sewing to ensure the best results. These additional ideas will certainly make your pillowcases more unique and personalized, adding a special touch to your bedroom decor.
