If you’re curious about how much fabric do I need for a pillow case, consider the pillow size first. You have probably made a pillow before, and you also planned the amount of fabric to prepare before sewing. The same is true when making a pillowcase, and you can find below what to expect for every pillow size.
Why do you need to know how much fabric every pillowcase will need? It will help you plan your project better, and you can ensure a well-fitted cover for your pillow. A pillowcase should provide a snug fit and never too loose or too tight.
How Much Fabric For A Pillowcase
Besides using quality pillows, we must never neglect the cover for them. Remember that a pillowcase will not only help protect the pillow from daily wear and tear. You also want to cover your pillow to keep out allergens like dust, dust mites, and bedbugs, as well as the skin cells and oils from us that can accumulate and affect our hygiene.
Amount of fabric needed for bed pillows
You can make the cover yourself, but you need to ask, “how much fabric do I need for a pillow case? Since there are various pillow sizes, the material you’ll need will depend on your pillow. Let’s say you need a pillowcase for a standard-size bed pillow; you will prepare ⅝ yard of fabric to cover this 20 by 26-inch pillow.
The slightly bigger queen-size pillow measuring 20 by 30 inches will need one and ⅛ yards of fabric. On the other hand, the biggest bed pillow, which is king, can do well with 1 to ¼ yards of fabric for its pillowcase. This will cover its dimensions that are 20 by 36 inches.
Amount of fabric needed for decorative pillows
What about square decorative pillows? Throw pillows and Euro pillows have different dimensions, and they will need ½ to 1 yard of fabric for their pillowcases. For example, a 14 by 14-inch and 16 by 16-inch pillow will both use half a yard of fabric, while a 30 by 30-inch square pillow requires a yard of fabric to make a pillowcase.
How to measure fabric for a pillowcase?
Do note that you can also make adjustments with these fabric amounts. You should measure the pillow you have beforehand because some manufacturers have a different size for these bed pillows. It’s also advantageous to allocate a small amount of material in case you made errors when you sew the cover.
Start by laying your pillow on the surface, with all its sides stretched out. Then, measure its length and width and allocate an inch of allowance. This should give you an idea of the fabric cuts you’ll need to create a cover for it.
How To Make A Pillowcase
Now that you have the fabric you’ll need for your pillow; you can quickly make a pillowcase for it at home. You don’t even need a sewing machine or years of sewing experience because it’s relatively easy. If you’re familiar with making a pillow protector, the procedure is similar.
Step #1. Prepare and pin
Using the fabric you have, cut two pieces according to the pillow size with an inch of allowance for the seams. You can also add three inches to their sizes if you want to fold some material on the open edges. Then, pin their right sides together to help with sewing.
Step #2. Hem the opening
You can stitch by hand or by a sewing machine, whichever is more comfortable. Remember the extra three inches earlier? Fold and pin it down on both panels to make the opening hem.
Step #3. Sew and turn
You can then sew around the panels’ edges, leaving the hemmed open side. A useful tip to create durable seams is to backstitch at the beginning and the end of your stitches. Then, clip the thread’s ends and turn the pillow right side out, and you’re done with the most basic pillowcase with an open end.
What Fabric Should I Use For A Pillowcase?
There are different fabric types that you can use for a pillowcase, but the most common one is cotton because of its comfortability against the skin. However, you can also indulge yourself with satin and silk, or something more natural like bamboo textile. Furthermore, remember that you might be making a pillowcase for a decorative pillow, so its color and design should complement the theme you’re going for.
The bottom line is that the fabric should match the pillow type. Opt for something washable and breathable if it is meant for a bed pillow, while an aesthetically-pleasing and durable fabric would be best for your decorative pillow. If you must consider the material’s sustainability, go all-natural as well.
Conclusion
You can easily make a pillow cover at home to ensure the best-fitting protection for your pillow. But first, answer the question, “how much fabric do I need for a pillow case?” In the guide discussed, you’ll notice that typical bed pillows varying in sizes will also differ in the fabric amount they’ll require.
The amounts can be anywhere from a yard to a yard and a half. However, it’s best that you also measure your pillow beforehand regardless of the size it has. This way, you’ll be sure that you have enough fabric to make a pillowcase for it.