French Seam Pillowcases - Give a Pop of Color and Style!

I took some time off work during the holidays.  Aside from getting a couple of minor things done in my camper, I completed some lingering sewing projects.  Two years ago, I was knee-deep in fabric to recover cushions and make curtains for Peggy Sue.  All of the work redoing a camper really burned me out, and I'm just now able to enjoy sewing again.  If you are looking for an easy project over the winter to jazz up your camper, pillows and pillowcases are where it is at!  Today, I'm showing you how to make pillowcases with french seams.  You will love the final result and can customize your space so easily.


For this project, you are going to need three coordinating fabrics.  Don't be afraid to mix and match fabrics.  This is where many people tend to be the most conservative.  But, those fun, funky items that you see at markets and home stores violate those rules you may typically stick to.  So, mix it up!  You can partner multiple patterns, stripes, and polka dots.  Have fun.

I used fabric from the Timeless Treasures camping line.  These fabrics are available from lots of retailers and, Timeless Treasures has so many fun novelty prints.  I'm sure you can find one to suit your needs!  They have new ones that come out regularly.  Check their fabric lines and website often to see what they have new.

French Seam Pillowcase Project Supplies:

42/44 width fabric in three coordinating colors/prints

• Band - 10 inches by 42/44 inches
• Stripe - 2 1/2 inches by 42/44 inches
• Body - 27 inches by 42/44 inches
• Thread

Measure and cut carefully.  If you are making a pair of pillowcases, you will need two pieces of each measurement.

These pillowcases are done with a French seam.  This means that the seams will be hidden and sealed for a more professional finished result.  Follow the directions closely and carefully.  Once you have done one, you will see how easy this is!

First, cut all of your fabric pieces.  Next, fold the 2 1/2 inch stripe piece in half along the longest edge and press the seam.  

Pressing the 2 1/2 in stip in half will give you a nice clean line to work with.

Now you are ready to layer the pieces together to sew.  Place the band on the bottom with the right side up.  Top with the body also facing right side up.  Align the raw edges.  Finally, add the strip piece also aligning the raw edges.  Roll up the body.  Then fold the band over with the wrong side facing out.  It's like creating a little fabric burrito.  Pin along the raw edge with all pieces aligned.  

Layer your pieces with the band on the bottom.  Next, add the body.  Finally, add the strip.  

Sew a straight stitch all the way down the pinned edge using a 1/4 inch seam.  Be careful to ensure you are sewing through all of the layers.  Sew carefully and slowly as you do this.

Sew the raw edges together stitching all the way down the longest side.

Once you have closed the one long seam, turn the pieces right side out.  It's like a magic trick pulling all of the pieces through!  

To create the French seam, you will pin the pillowcase together along the open edges with the right sides facing outward.  This will seem wrong but just bear with me.  This will be a nice finished seam when you are done!

Sew the seams on the longest and shortest side to close the pillowcase.  You will start by doing this with the right sides facing out.  

Clip your corner and trim your edges close to the seams.   Then turn the pillowcase wrong side out.  This time you are going to stitch all the way around again.  Stitch with a 1/4 inch seam as you go.  It will close your seams inside of the stitch you are making this time.

Clip the corner.

Trim the edges close to the seams.

Turn the pillowcase wrong side out and stitch around the same 2 sides encasing the first seam for a closed finish.

When you turn it back right side out, you will have a finished pillowcase with neat French seams.  See how easy that was?  Anyone can do this.  And pillowcases are an excellent way to dress up your bedding and your camper!  You can explore anything from woodland prints to vintage campers and more to make this project your own.

The final result if polished and professional looking.

I love how you can make camper themed pillowcases easily for decorating!

Have you made pillowcases before?  It has become one of my new favorite projects.  A friend asked me to make some pillowcases for her out of some old childhood sheets this past year.  I learned how to do them with that project, and have made more than one set since then.  

If you make this project, I'd love to see them.  Be sure to tag me on social media with the hashtag #southernglamper.  In the meantime, visit my project page for more ideas on how to spruce up for spring.  I'll be sharing more ideas throughout the next couple of months to help get your camper ready for camping season.

Until next time...

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