Project #4 - Pillow Case

950 Days LeftPillow Case

Cost Breakdown
Fabric: Free (My grandmother purchased all of these materials for me for my birthday back in September. Therefore, I do not remember how much each material cost.)
Thread: Free (from my stash)
Pattern: Free (There was no pattern for this project)
Total Cost: $0.00



Project Rating
Difficulty: Easy
Enjoyability: Excellent
Time: Excellent - from start to finish approximately 20 minutes
Final Product: Excellent
Overall Rating: Excellent




Materials:
Same as the materials used in Natalie's bedskirt. 1 yd of main color (pink), 1/4 yd contrast color (yellow), matching thread, scissors, pins. Rotary cutter, mat, and ruler are optional.
NOTE: The amount of material is approximate, since I just used remnants from my other projects.

Pattern:

I made this pattern up. I took measurements from another pillow case and modified it to the way I wanted my pillowcase to look.

Instructions:

NOTE: I made an error in my pillowcase that I'm not including in the directions. I accidently made my contrast color rectangle too small and needed to make two to correct the problem. Therefore, in some pictures there is an extra, unneccessary seam in the yellow.

Allow 1/2 inch seam throughout, except on the last step of the hem.

Cut a large rectangle from the main color 24" x 39". Cut a smaller rectangle 12" x 39" from the contrast color. (The extra yellow rectangle is due to my mistake)

With right sides together, sew the 39" edges of the contrast to the 39" edge of the main color.

Fold up contrast color edge 1/2". Iron.

Fold up the contrast color slightly past the stitched edge the main color. Do not fold up 1/2 inch past the stitched as is the usual seam allowance. (See picture, this is not a very good discription.) Iron.

"Stitch in the ditch" to complete the hem.

Fold pillowcase in half, right sides together. Stitch around raw edges.

Clip corners.

Turn right side out. Finished!

A picture to show how the pillow case accents the bed skirt:

Natalie with her new pillow:

Quick Update

My computer had a virus that caused it to randomly shut down. This meant that I couldn't spend any time updating my blogs or facebook. But, it also meant I could spend a lot of time sewing! As a result, I've completed two projects: one VERY easy and one more difficult.

I've updated my project total and the time left in the right-hand margin. I haven't updated the total money. I haven't added it up yet. So, as I update my projects, the total project total will also go up.

Project #3 - 961 Days Left

Stuffed Letters - "S" "N" and "C"

Cost Breakdown

Fabric: $10.41 (More expensive than normal, but I allowed Steven and Natalie to choose their own material)

Thread: Free (from my stash)

Pattern: $.99 (Joann's Fabric pattern sale)

Stuffing: $9.49 (yes, it was expensive, but I ran out of stuffing and needed a new bag. However, any stuffed project from here on out will be free since the bag was rather large and is now part of my stash!)
Total Cost: $20.89

Project Rating
Difficulty: Easy - The directions were straight forward and easy to follow. If you've never used a pattern before and want to learn how, I HIGHLY recommend "Sewing Patterns for Dummies."

Enjoyability: Excellent - Easy project with quick results makes for an enjoyable time.

Time: Excellent- The only reason why I wasn't able to complete all three letters in less than an hour was because I had to go to the store and buy stuffing!

Final Product: Excellent - Natalie and Steven were so excited to chose their own materials and they have been sleeping with their letters ever since.
Overall Rating: Excellent

Materials:

5/8 yd of material for each letter, since each letter used a different material - the pattern explains how to determine the amount of material required for more letters. I used cotton and fleece- the results were fantastic for both.

Stuffing- that's a big bag! Matching thread, scissors, pins.

Pattern:

Sewing Patterns for Dummies - Simplicity #4928. Although, if you are good at making bubble letters, a pattern would be unnecessary.

Instructions:

Follow the directions of the pattern for cutting letters out.

Pin the letters rights sides together.

Sew around edge, allowing a 1/2" seem allowance. Leave section open as indicated in the pattern

Cut notches into curves as explained in the pattern directions.

Flip the letter right side out and stuff

Hand stitch the opening.