How To Make A Pillowcase In 15 Minutes (Easy Burrito Method)

Follow this step-by-step pillowcase tutorial to learn the EASIEST way to make a pillowcase in just 15 minutes! 

HOW TO SEW A PILLOWCASE THE EASY WAY 

Want to make a pillowcase? Here's how to sew a pillowcase in just 15 minutes. Trust me, if I can do it, sew can you. (Pun intended.)

Whether you need pillowcase ideas for holidays, gifts, or just to spruce up your home, you'll see how easy it is to make one. 

One of our family's favorite traditions is this Holiday Pillowcase Tradition. This easy burrito method makes that possible! 

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Jump to:

• HOW TO SEW A PILLOWCASE THE EASY WAY 
• PILLOWCASE SUPPLIES NEEDED
• HOW TO MAKE A PILLOWCASE USING BURRITO METHOD
• STEP 1. SELECTING PILLOWCASE FABRIC
• STEP 2. WASH, DRY, & IRON FABRIC
• STEP 3. CUT THE FABRIC FOR YOUR DIY PILLOWCASE
• STEP 4. ASSEMBLE THE PILLOWCASE
• STEP 5. SEW PILLOWCASE AKA BURRITO MAGIC TIME!
• 💬 Comments

PILLOWCASE SUPPLIES NEEDED

To make a burrito pillowcase using the burrito method (also called easy tube pillow case) , you'll need the following supplies:

For 1 standard-size pillow case:

• ¾ yard main fabric
• ¼ yard coordinating fabric for the cuff
• matching thread
• sewing machine
• iron
• sewing scissors (these are my favorite!)
• pins and magnetic pin cushion 

HOW TO MAKE A PILLOWCASE USING BURRITO METHOD

Use this simple step-by-step burrito pillowcase tutorial to create a pillowcase in 15 minutes! And trust me, I am no seamstress, but if I can make pillowcases, so can you!

Just take one step at a time. You've got this! Here's the simple pillowcase pattern.

STEP 1. SELECTING PILLOWCASE FABRIC

Whether you are making a holiday pillowcase for Halloween, Christmas, a birthday or any other occasion, you'll want 2 coordinating fabrics for this burrito method pillowcase tutorial.

For this simple pillowcase pattern, you'll notice I used patriotic fabric for the 4th of July, but this method will apply to any fabric you choose.

HOW MUCH MATERIAL DO YOU NEED TO MAKE A PILLOWCASE?

For a standard-size pillowcase (20 inches by 26 inches), you will need 1 yard of fabric.

To make a 2-fabric pillowcase using the burrito method, you'll need to choose ¾ yard of one fabric and ¼ yard of another.

Be sure to select a cotton fabric or other type of fabric that will wash well and won't stretch out.

STEP 2. WASH, DRY, & IRON FABRIC

It's always a good idea to pre-wash and dry the fabric so that your pillowcase will not shrink after you make it. That would be so sad!

However, I'll tell you a secret: Usually I'm too lazy or in too big of a hurry (talk about procrastination) that I forget to pre-wash and dry my fabric.

My pillowcases have still fit and turned out just fine. So it's up to you. You can skip this step or be on your A-game and wash it before you start just to be safe!

Additionally, ensure that you also treat your pillowcase fabric for pills and lint. Most of the time, lint can be washed off, however, sometimes it stays attached to the cloth and can damage the look and luster of the fabric. To avoid that, you can use the pilling device for your pillowcase before sewing it.

And if you want to avoid such a situation altogether, you can also treat your bedsheets for lint. By pilling sheets, you can save your bed linens from damage since if your bedsheets have pills, they might transfer to your newly sewed pillowcase. It's better to resolve such issues beforehand instead of seeing your hard work getting wasted.

STEP 3. CUT THE FABRIC FOR YOUR DIY PILLOWCASE

For this pillowcase pattern easy, next you'll cut the fabric pieces to the following sizes. You can fold the fabric in half before cutting to make it easier if you'd like.

Band/Cuff piece (¼ yard) = 10" x 41"

Main Piece (¾ yard)= 26" x 41" 

STEP 4. ASSEMBLE THE PILLOWCASE

First, unfold the band fabric and lay down patterned side up. Then lay the body fabric patterned-side down on top of the band fabric like this: The long sides should together.

You can pin if you like, but it works just fine without pinning. Just smooth the fabrics out with your hand.

It should look like this with the band (cuff) fabric face up, main piece pattern down: 

Starting at the bottom edge of the body piece (the long piece), start rolling the fabric up until you get half way to the band fabric. Don't roll the cuff fabric with it. It should look like this:

Once the body fabric is rolled up, take the cuff fabric and fold it over the roll to match up with the edges you lined up earlier, like this: 

Now, pin the fabric in place.

The long edges that you lined up earlier should still be in place. You'll want to pin all 3 layers together, making sure the rolled part is far away from the pins. Make sure all the layers are lined up straight. If not, undo some pins and line it up and repin it.

Now that your fabric is pinned, it should look like this:  

STEP 5. SEW PILLOWCASE AKA BURRITO MAGIC TIME!

Next, sew along the pinned edge with a ½" seam. The bulk of the fabric will be in your lap when you first start sewing.

Be careful to not sew over any pins. Remove them before you reach them as you sew.

Now that the top seam is sewn, you're going to reach into the "burrito" and pull out the rolled-up fabric like this:

The easy pillowcase cuff will be sewn together, looking like this:

To keep the cuff nice and crisp, iron the cuff before you move on. 

FINISHING TOUCHES

To finish off your homemade pillowcase, you'll just need to sew the bottom and side seams. Fold the pillowcase in half with printed sides together.

First, pin the long edges together, beginning at the band. And then pin across the short edge at the bottom of the pillowcase.

Beginning at the top band, start sewing. Complete a back stitch to secure the start of your seam. Sew all the way down the long edge until you reach ½" from the bottom. Lift the sewing machine foot, rotate the pillowcase, and finish by sewing the bottom edge.

6. TURN PILLOWCASE RIGHT SIDE OUT AND IRON

Now your easy sew pillow cases are all done!

That is how to make a pillowcase the easy way. Now repeat for any holiday or season. The possibilities are endless with this burrito method. 

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Save this pillowcase tutorial to reference later!