The Crafty Lass does… Pillowcase Cushion Cover!

When it comes to fabrics – I am certainly a bit of a magpie! Particularly if vintage – so they have a bit of history behind them. Or an unusual print or pattern. Or colour, or weave… Who am I kidding – any fabrics that might have a use! I often buy them if I like them, to keep ‘just in case’… (Otherwise known as a classic craft hoarder – much to The Husband’s dismay!)

This time, with a specific project in mind – I was on the look out for some ‘Rose’ fabric – to craft up a present for one of our lovely friend’s little girl’s 1st birthday present. I had kept a sneaky eye out on eBay for anything coming up, and hunted in my normal ‘go-to’ fabric haunts – and I was tempted to go for something such as the Cath Kidston Antique Rose design until, I suddenly, unexpectedly stumbled upon some beautiful vintage roses pillow cases in Brackley Antiques Cellar. Bingo!

I had planned to make a cushion – which may sound a strange first birthday gift – however the bright floral colours, and an idea for potential ribbon details to play with, I am hoping it will be an item loved for years to come in her nursery/future bedroom!

I was already intending to make a simple ‘fold over’ style cushion cover (where the back overlaps) – and my first thought with my new found treasure – was to simply just cut away all the seams of the pillowcase, and then use the fabric as per normal. However, when I started to look at and measure the cases, I realised size wise – it was near as perfect for the cushion inner I had in mind. Wouldn’t it be silly to rip out perfectly already achieved craftmanship, just to redo them all over again?? So, with that in mind – after washing and ironing – I decided to embrace the pillow case as part of the design! Here is how I achieved the final look…

1. Semi ignoring the above, I cut away the end seam to allow me to attach some ribbons for tieing up the case/cushion at the end! (If you see the photos this will make sense!)
2. Turned the pillowcase inside out.
3. Pinned said ribbons inside along this newly cut edge, and then re-machine sewed – and the ribbons into place.
4. Turned the pillowcase back the right way out.
5. Inserted the cushion inner to check measurements.
6.  Lined up the ribbons on other edge of pillow case – directly opposite the previously sewed ones and pinned into place.
7. Removed cushion inner.
8. Added a simple running stitch along the edge, to sew ribbons on.
9. Re-added cushion inner.
10. Folded pillow case back over and tied ribbons together to hold cushion cover together!

Et Voila!

Have you ever upcycled a pillow case into a cushion cover? I would love to see!

Enjoy x