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Check out today’s tutorial on how to sew a DIY toddler pillowcase!
Baby girl (who isn’t really much of a baby anymore) is finally to the point where we think she needs a toddler pillow. She was starting to bunch up her stuffed animals she sleeps with to use as a pillow, or she would make a “hankie pillow” as we call it out of her lovey.
We researched pillows forever and eventually decided on this toddler pillow from Amazon. However, when I started looking for pillowcases, I found that they were almost as much as the pillow itself! Sure, some of them were super cute, but with how much my daughter pukes, poops, pees, and slobbers in that crib, I wasn’t going to pay 20$ for her to ruin a pillowcase. Hence, I made one myself with my very beginner sewing skills.
The project took less than 15 minutes, and it cost me less than 5$. I call that a win!
Here’s all you need to know to make a toddler pillowcase yourself!
Pillowcase Supplies:
- Fabric (1/2 yd should work, mine was 15.75″ x 43″), prewashed and ironed
- Thread and sewing machine (you could also sew by hand)
- Scissors
- The pillow itself, of course, as a base. Our toddler pillow measures 13″x18″.
How to make a toddler pillowcase:
First, measure out your fabric. You can use the pillow as a guide for how much fabric you need. You’ll want the pillowcase to be a little loose so you can get the pillow in and out.
For our 13×18″ pillow size, my piece of fabric ended up being around 15.75″ x 43″. This took into account the seam allowance I was using of 1/2.” Depending on the size you’re wanting and your favorite seam allowance, you can adjust that final figure.
Next, sew the edges of the 15.75″ side with around a 1/2″ seam allowance. Don’t forget to pin and press first! (At this point you could do a snazzier seam and finish your fabric better, but I just wanted a quick and easy pillow! You could also use a serger.)
Fold the fabric in half with the two newly sewn edges touching. The fabric will need to be with the wrong side facing out as shown below.
Then, sew with around another 1/2″ seam allowance the two sides of the fabric. Cut the corners off to make turning out easier at the corners. Again, at this point you could finish your fabric edges, but I just wasn’t feeling it.
Turn right side out, iron the seams, and put in the toddler pillow!
And that’s my DIY toddler pillowcase! Could you make this fancier with 2 fabrics or other embellishments? Sure! This is just meant to be a super simple toddler pillowcase made in a short time with a small amount of money! Also, I’ve washed and dried this thing a ton, and thankfully it has held up great.
Check out some of our other DIY ideas!