One Pillowcase Done

This was supposed to be a quick and easy project, but it took me 1.5 hours to finish one pillowcase!  That did include all the time it took to set up my iron, sewing machine, press and cut the fabric, realize I cut one wrong, realize I didn't have enough fabric for another, and FINALLY sew.  The actual sewing only took 15 minutes, including more pressing, so that part was definitely quick and easy.  Aahh, I guess you never know where a sewing project may take you.  But, all of the frustration fades away when I think of the reason I'm doing this, the Craft Hope Project 9.  They've teamed up with  ConKerr Cancer, an organization that provides cheerful pillowcases to sick children.  Check out the website slideshow of all of the beautiful children holding and making fun pillowcases.  It really makes me feel blessed and humbled to have healthy children.

Anyway, on to the project, or at least some photos.

I purchased the "Wheels on Fire" and orange accent while visiting my sister, and once I got home realized I didn't have enough orange to make 2 intended pillowcases.  So, C and I went to Hobby Lobby to get more orange, and when I told her what it was for, she decided to pick out a couple of more fabrics--peace sign and dogs.  OK, stick with me, I'm going to stray from topic and share that C really, really wants a dog.  She has trouble being gentle with our cat (although it is improving a lot, she scratched her chin for a full five minutes today before squeezing her too hard).  C is great when we meet dogs in the park, though, and discusses nearly daily how she'll get a dog someday when she's more responsible and can scoop the poop.  Thanks to a Fancy Nancy book, C went through a phase in which I had to scatter "poop" (puzzle pieces) and C wore my kitchen gloves and used my tongs to scoop poop.  Then, recently, the poor thing was running around the park barefoot (don't judge me, I let my kids take off their shoes at the park) and she stepped in poop!  Ick!!!  She kept apologizing to ME, when I felt sooo bad for her!  Then we had a nice discussion about how that was an irresponsible dog owner, so I think C is totally prepared to do some scooping when the time comes.  

OK, back to the pillowcase.  I do not have a serger, so I used the ConKerr Cancer "Hot Dog" method, finished my pillowcase with French seams and love that there are no raw edges.  I was going to take photos along the way, but given my minor frustrations with fabric cutting, all I got was the finished product.

It was really hard to find a boy fabric that wasn't too childish.  I know that for most sewing people out there we think "oh, look at that cute fabric" (and obviously the fabric stores lean toward feminine fabric) but boys get sick, too, and really appreciate something to brighten their room.  

I hope I've spread the Craft Hope!