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Pillowcases - How To Alter Size?

Greetings gang!

Novice getting back into sewing after not having touched a machine in years. Must have been those home economic classes back at school with all those aprons and pull on skirts which turned me off! *LOL*

Any who, have just landed an older Pfaff 1222 and am chomping at the bit for small simple projects to do.

Sitting in my linen press are some NIB pillowcases which are king sized, though our beds take standard (they are lovely and were on sale, sadly the shop didn't have standard, so nabbed the king sized instead). Since am starting off my re-entry into sewing by tackling some of the long put off mending and altering of household linens, think this would be an excellent project to start off with. Problem is one is not exactly sure how to go about it. The pillowcases are made the standard way of one folded edge, and two serged/overlocked seams on the sides. IIRC my Pfaff does have various zig-zag stitches, and may even do a blindhem (if one can find the required foot), but would like some pointers.

Thanks all, Happy Holiday weekend!

Candide

Reply to
Candide
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As far as I know king-size pillow cases only differ from standard size by the length. So, you could probably just turn them inside out and shorten then from the bottom sewn end.

Linda

Reply to
Linda Sweigart

Thanks for the tips everyone. Yes, king pillowcases are 10 inches longer than standard (1/3 yard), so will just shorten and finish with a strong hem then over stitch/zig zag the edge. My Pfaff is one of the older models which does not take the snap on blind stitch foot, so until I can find the real thing will have to make do. Of course if one had a serger this would be a snap, but baby steps first!

Thanks again gang!

Candide

Reply to
Candide

Reply to
Pat in Virginia

Thank you for such great advice, Pat!

Actually the cases have a fold on the "closed" edge, so will be creating a seam where none existed before, but still the process outlined by you is the same.

My machine is actually the 1209, which for all purposes is the same as the 1222 except only have 5 stitch buttons instead of 10. This is no big deal as I can live without the 5 ornamental stitches. My machine came with several feet, and comparing some to those pictured in a Singer sewing book, think have the blind hem foot after all. Since my Pfaff didn't come with a manual, and the one I ordered hasn't arrived yet, will have to keep guessing.

The Pfaff 12 series has a devoted following, which explains why after over 10 years since their last production, used models still go for $$$. I'm on the look out for another 1222 or maybe a 1229, just to have a spare on hand! *Wink*.

Looking forward to chatting and sharing projects with those in the group,

Candide

Reply to
Candide

I'd use them as-is, and luxuriate in the extra fabric.

But if it bugs you, all you have to do is to turn the case inside out, mark a line where you want the bottom to be, and stitch along the line. If it won't lie flat for you to draw the line, press it. If you really want to subdue it, starch it. (A new pillowcase will be quite stiff enough -- but wash it first, in case it shrinks.)

Straight stitch is fine, but zig-zag and whatnot won't hurt anything if you need the practice. (Well, ornamental stitches might hurt if you make the stitches too small -- close perforations weaken fabric. I use a 2.5 mm straight stitch to make pillowcases.)

Then cut about half an inch from the stitching. You can use pinking shears if you have them, but I cut all my pillowcase seams straight -- on a drawn thread, but that doesn't work with pre-made pillowcases -- and they don't fray a bit. A pinked edge is prettier, but nobody will see it, not even you.

Since this is your first effort after a long lay-off, it might be well to draw both the stitching line and the cutting line. The wash-out marker was a *wonderful* invention -- use it freely on stuff that is going to be washed hard and often.

(But test on a scrap before using it on a posh frock, and keep it to places that won't show if it gets ironed in or bleeds through to the other side.)

CREATIVE CALL

If I've read the rest of this thread correctly, the OP is going to be left with several 20" x 20" pieces of fabric that match her pillowcases. There must be something more interesting than furoshikis[1] to do with such squares.

Joy Beeson

Reply to
joy beeson

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