French Seams

I mentioned on this post that I used French seams to finish off the pillowcase.  I am terrible at zig-zagging and really dislike doing it, however, just the name "French seam" was a bit intimidating.  Now I know it is a very easy technique and really polishes a project.  So, although I am sure there are a million out there already, here is a French seam tutorial of sorts.

To start things off, remember I used the "Hot Dog" method of assembling the border to the pillowcase.

Here is peak inside how that nicely encloses one of the raw edges.

Now on to the french seams.  Pin the wrong sides together along the side and bottom of the pillowcase.

Sew with a small seam allowance, approximately 1/8 inch.  Alternatively, you could do a 1/4 inch seam allowance, then trim to 1/8 inch, but I am all about short cuts.

Here is a look at the finished seam.

Now press the seam to one side.  However dull ironing may seem, it does make the finished product a lot nicer.  Besides, ironing always makes me think of my Gram, who loved to iron.

Now turn the pillowcase inside out and iron again.  Make sure that your seam is at the very edge.  Tip:  Wet your fingers to help "roll" that seam out.

Now, with right sides together, sew a 3/8 inch seam.

This is what the finished seam will look like.  See how the raw edge is enclosed in that little pocket?

Another view.

And here is the finished pillowcase!

One other note on making pillowcases...although the directions say you need 3/4 yard of your main fabric, you just never know how much the fabric will shrink when you prewash, and whether the cutter at the fabric store will cut it straight for you.  Get a yard to be sure.