BERNINA Corporate Blog -Silk pillowcases are definitely trending, and they are a sewing project where you can definitely save some money by making it yourself. This is especially true if you want the real deal and to use beautiful mulberry silk fabric. My university-student daughter lists silk pillowcases as one of her all-time favourite gifts – this is because they are better for your hair and skin, and for a good night’s sleep (and likely because they are prohibitive for a student to buy on a strict budget!).
Grab some luxurious silk or budget-friendly satin, and get sewing up some beautiful gifts for other or just to pamper yourself!
Materials Needed:
- Sewing Machine BERNINA 590
- Sewing machine foot:BERNINA Invisible Zipper Foot #35
- Sewing Machine Needle ( I used size 70/10 for my satin fabric )
- Discovery Fabrics Free Pillowcase (Free download – add to cart and create an account to get the download).
- Fabric: 1-2 yards of silk or satin fabric (it takes approximately 1 yard per pillowcase and if you have two yards you can cut each pillowcase as a single piece of fabric with a bottom fold). Here are some shops with international shipping that carry a variety of options:
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- Poly Satins Stitch Happens (Canada/US and International)
- Mulberry Silk Discovery Fabrics (Canada/US and International)
- Poly and Silk Minerva (UK and International)
- Coordinating Thread
- 18″ Invisible zipper
Preparing to Sew a Silk Pillowcase
Free Pattern
Download the Discovery Fabrics Free Pillowcase pattern for free from the Discovery Fabrics website. You will add the pattern to your shopping cart and check out (you will need to create an account if you don’t already have one). The pattern is free so will show up as $0.00 in the price. This is a free pdf download tutorial for sewing two styles of pillowcase: one with an invisible zipper closure and one with an envelop-fold open end. You will receive the digital files via email upon completion of your order. Note: there are no pattern pieces with this, but rather, a detailed tutorial with measurements for cutting your fabric. No cutting and taping of pattern pieces required!
In this tutorial, I will show you the zippered version
Cut and Mark the Fabric
Cut your fabric according to the desired size of your pillowcase. The fabric measurements and cutting diagrams are noted on the free pillowcase pattern download from Discovery Fabrics.
Fold the cut pillowcase fabric in half on the short side (a hamburger fold rather than a hot dog fold).
On the open short sides, mark a 17” zipper opening centred along the raw edges.
Mark the side seam lines 1” from each edge.
Sewing the Invisible Zipper in your Silk Pillowcase
Mark the invisible zipper 1″ from the closed end. With the right sides together, stitch the end seams beyond the zipper opening at each end. Press the seams open.
Turn the raw edges of your zipper opening right sides together by ¼ of an inch and stitch. This eliminates the need to finish the edges of the fabric along the zipper.
Turn raw edges 1/4″ to the right side and stitch.
Line up edge of zipper tape to stitched raw edge.
Line up the right side of your zipper tape to the folded/stitched raw edge and stitch to attach the pillow case to the zipper. You will use the regular foot on your machine for this. I moved my needle position to the left to glide along the edge of the zipper coil, as pictured above.
Fold the hem around the edge of the zipper tape and stitch again. This creates a nice, neat zipper finish.
Clean finished edge by wrapping the fabric around the zipper tape.
Attach the invisible zipper foot to your sewing machine. The BERNINA #35 foot makes sewing invisible zippers an absolute breeze and it allows me to sew them perfectly every time.
Invisible foot #35
If you are new to using the invisible zipper foot, here is a tutorial with more detailed instructions.
Attach the zipper coil to the fabric along each side.
Ensure the invisible zipper coil is seated in the groove of the zipper foot.
Completed invisible zipper insertion.
Finishing the Silk Pillowcase
You will sew the sides of the pillowcase with French Seams. Below is a video if you are not familiar with this technique.
With the fabric wrong sides together, sew each side seam with a ¼” seam. Trim the frayed edges each seam allowance, being careful not to cut too closely to your stitching lines.
Trim the frayed edges carefully along the seam allowance.
Turn your pillowcase inside out / wrong sides together and press. Stitch each side seam again to enclose the seam allowances.
Stitch a second time, enclosing the raw seam allowance edge. This finishes the French Seam.
Turn your pillowcase right side out and press.
You have made a useful and beautiful pillowcase that is sure to help with a good night’s sleep. These pillowcases make wonderful gifts and you can also embroider along the edges for an extra-personal touch.
Happy stitching!
Heather @ManitoulinThreads🧵✂
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