A pretty crocheted edge can turn an ordinary, white pillowcase into a lovely bed linen. You can stitch up your own pillow case or… you can do like I did and take the easy way out and buy white cotton pillowcases from Marshall’s or HomeGoods. ($7 for a two-pack!)
I did some internet research to figure out the best way to secure an edge to the case so that I could begin my crochet. Basically, I found 3 techniques that looked like they’d do the trick:
1) Using a needle and crochet thread, back-stitch along the top edge:
2) again, using a needle and crochet thread, do a blanket stitch around the top edge:
3) create a chain stitch along the top edge:
Of these three possibilities, my favorite was the simple back-stitch. I threaded size 10 crochet cotton onto the needle:
By back-stitching along the upper edge, you create a series of stitches that will accommodate the first row of your crochet pattern:
Using a size D crochet hook, I did a base row of single crochet:
The back-stitch method created a nice, smooth, finished edge:
I love the way they look all stacked together!
I used an assortment of dk-weight cottons, which aren’t quite as fine as size 10 crochet thread, but they do work up quickly. And “quick” is what you need when you become obsessive and buy more white pillowcases than there are days in the month.
Sweet dreams!
“A”
I Love it, very pretty !!
Thank you, Izabel!
Very pretty – it’s something I’d like to try too. I had some that my grandma did for me in the past and loved them.
I’ll bet your grandma used fine-gauge cotton and an eensy-teensy hook. (wish I had the patience for that 😉 I’ll look forward to seeing yours!
Lovely…..these remind me of the pillowcases that my grandmother used to make for my mom 🙂
God bless those patient and talented grandmas. (Mine was a wiz with pizza…not pillowcases 😉 Maybe you should raid your mom’s linen closet. Hope to see you soon!
Ann
Hmmmm……I’ll have to look for them. I wonder where she has them hidden?
These are so cute! I really love them and I’m going to try a few with some old pillowcases that need some help. Do you mind sharing whether you found the pattern for the gray and yellow one online somewhere? Thank you!
The pattern comes from a Leisure Arts Leaflet, #2581. I chose edging #7, which is featured in all white, but I chose to use two colors. Hope this helps!
Ann
I have Pinterest a lot of these pillowcases cause I am started to crochet them but I find your white on white back stitch looks so wonderfully finished. I am impressed! & good pics. LaDean
Thank you, LaDean! I hope that the back-stitch method works well for you. Happy stitching, and thanks for the comment!
Ann
Thank you so very much for the great directions!! I’ve been wanting to try this for quite some time! Your inspiration seems to be all I needed. I have lots of fabric and plan to use some of the more feminine prints to add edges. After seeing your white pillowcases, now I think I need some of them!! Thanks again for sharing your talents with us!
Choicest blessings,
Mary Jean