PILLOWCASE
Cut out a strip of fabric, twice the length of the pillow plus a total of 30cm for turnings and tuck in. Allow 2 cm seam allowance down each long edge. At the tuck-in end, turn under and press 15 mm and then 10 cm (4 in) to make a broad border. Stitch in place and add cording or any other trim if required. At the tuck-in end, turn under and press a 15 mm double hem.
PILLOWCASE WITH BORDER For a crisp, flat edging to a pillowcase, the front should be cut from one panel of fabric and the back cut from two panels, one to cover the main part of the pillow and the other to form a tuck-in. Cut out the front panel, allowing 6 cm or whatever width you want – all around for the border and seam allowance. Cut out the main back panel, omitting the border allowance down one short edge. Cut the tuck-in panel the same width as the main panel and 23cm deep. Turn under a 2cm double hem down the short edge of the main back panel and on the smaller back panel.
If you want a more traditional fastening, make buttonholes along the hemmed edge of the main back panel. Position the main panel over the tuck-in, with the wrong side of the main panel facing the right side of the back panel so that they make up a panel the same size as the front panel of fabric. Tack together within the seam allowance where the panels overlap. Position the back on the front, right sides facing, and pin together all around the outer edge, Stitch, taking a 1 cm seam allowance.
MAKING BEDLINEN and stitch in place by machine. Turn under and press a 15cm(6 in) wide tuck-in. Fold the fabric in half so that the finished edge of the border matches the fold of the tuck-in, wrong sides together. Pin and stitch down each long edge, taking a 1cm seam. Trim scams, press and turn inside out. Complete the French seam, taking the same seam allowance as before. Turn right side out and press, turn right side out and press. Top stitch all around the pillowcase, positioning the stitching 5 cm (2 in) inside the previous seam line to make a flat border. Add cording or trimming along the seam line if required, and sew on buttons or other fastening.