Monday, July 25, 2016

Pillowcases with Crocheted Edging


Ever since I can remember I have loved crocheted edging on pillowcases. When I was a child my mom had a couple very soft, old white cases with white crocheted edging that her great grandma had made. As a teenager I was an avid crocheter. I spent many summer afternoons sitting on our front porch crocheting doilies for my hope chest. I even made a set of pillowcases with embroidery and crocheted edging. Admittedly that particular set of pillowcases has yet to be taken from my hope chest. Some thing are just too pretty to use! ; )

I have seen several ideas for making calico pillowcases with coordinating crocheted edging, and have long wanted to make my own set. This summer while enjoying a sunny afternoon outside under our maple tree, I crocheted the edging on this set of pillowcases.
I was hoping to have time to provide a step by step tutorial on how I made my pillowcases, but it didn't work out that way. I hope these brief instructions may help anyone who would like to create their own crocheted edging for pillowcases.

To start I cut two pieces of fabric 32" long by 22" wide. I stitched the edges and top leaving the bottom open. I then hemmed the bottom edge by pressing the raw edge under by 1/4" and then folding up 1 3/4" and pressing. I stitched my hem and was ready to start my edging!
 Using a large embroidery needle I stitched a blanket stitch along the creased edge of my pillow case. I used crochet cotton in size 10 and doubled my thread, however doubling your thread isn't entirely necessary. Each stitch is approximately 1/4" apart.

Once my base of blanket stitches was complete I began my crocheted border. Once again I used size 10 crochet cotton thread, and a size 6 crochet hook.

Row 1: Slip stitch thread to one blanket stitch space, chain 2 *half double crochet in next space* repeat between * until you come to your original chain 2. Slip stitch into top of chain two.

Row 2: Single crochet in next stitch, skip next stitch, 5 double crochet in next stitch, skip next stitch... and continue on with the sequence of direction. When you reach the end you may not have an even amount of stitches left to complete the pattern properly, so I just single crochet in the last stitch and fasten off my thread.

"I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me." Psalm 3:5

20 comments:

  1. They are lovely, Sarah! And thank you for the tutorial. :) I would like to make some of these someday!

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  2. Gorgeous! I love them. Beautiful work. That pale coral yarn is my favorite. :)

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  3. Very pretty, Sarah! And I like your easy instructions for someone whose crocheting knowledge barely reaches beyond a double stitch. ;) This would look darling on the tops of little girls socks or on the hems of cotton dish clothes. Hmm, I just might have to pull out some bins from underneath my sewing table to see if I still have my crocheting hooks. :)

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  4. These are gorgeous and the instruction helpful. I think using the blanket stitch I could then pick up stitches and knit lace (I am far more proficient at knitting).

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  5. These are SO beautiful! Perhaps I will see some in your shop sometime????

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    1. Thank you Pam! The last picture showing a pillowcase in progress is actually part of a set I am planning to sell. : ) I hope to have them listed later this week!

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  6. Those are so pretty! I'd love to do something like that, but I probably wouldn't get it done. :-)

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  7. Oh, how lovely! I too love crocheted edgings on pillow cases. So sweet & simple. Thanks so much for the instructions. I'll have to try my hand at them. ^_^

    {hugs}
    Michelle ^_^
    Delightful Handwork

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  8. These are just beautiful, Sarah. The fabric looks so soft and feminine, and the crochet border is just perfect. You did a beautiful job. I know what you mean about "some things are just too pretty to use!" ~ I have a set of pillow cases one of my daughters embroidered for me, and I've only used them once!
    Blessings to you, ♥

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  9. Your pillow cases (so pretty and delicate) with their hand-stitched crochet-lace edge remind me of my great-grandmother's beautiful work. What neat and uniform stitches you make.

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  10. So very beautiful. I'm going to pin this for my someday I'm going to....
    Thank you for sharing it.
    Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage

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  11. Sarah, these are prettiness personified! Pinned! Mimi xxx

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  12. Oh Sarah...your pillowcases are too beautiful...the delicate crocheted edging is lovely! What a wonderful gift this would make for a bride to be...I must show your instructions to my sister who avidly crochetes...
    Ah, and your stitching is so very neat, Sarah!
    Enjoy these summer days...hope you and your little girl are well!
    Much love,
    Kelly-Anne

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  13. Sarah, I would love to purchase the set. May I? The fabric is just as I would have wished for.

    Thank you,
    Pam

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    1. You surely may! : ) I plan to list them tomorrow and I will place a reserve on the set. Thank you!

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  14. Thank you. I will keep checking your shop for when they are listed.

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  15. My dear Sarah, these are absolutely beautiful! You do such lovely and perfect work :)

    Have a wonderful weekend. Hugs!

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  16. This is the kind of handwork my daughter enjoys! Thank you for sharing this idea with us! Your pillowcases are beautiful! :)

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  17. Thank you so much for sharing this. I am making pillowcases for my granddaughters. The edging is beautiful. I love it.

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