Pillowcases
 

I have made many. I have cut at 27. They are a very generous size; so 26 would also work.

Our guild makes a lot of pillowcases for CASA. I use 27" for the body of the pillowcase, but 26" would work too. Generally we don't put the flange on the pillowcase. For the cuff, we cut 12", 10" or 9".The ones we make are always used and appreciated.

As a quick aside, should the fabric be pre-washed before making the pillow case or is just washing it afterwards okay? If they are a generous size the slight shrinkage wouldn't be much of an issue, correct?

I have not washed the fabric first. Most cottons I have used have not shrunk enough to matter. They definitely need to be ironed after washing the cases. I make them to match my bed quilts and use as shams.

I have had cuts off at least three different bolts of Michael Miller black fabric. There was over two inches of shrinkage in width from each one.

I have also used Roc-Lon "pre-shrunk" muslin. That also had drastic shrinkage.

I have measured thousands (really!) of pieces of fabric before and after washing. Just about every piece has shrunk at least some - and usuallly only in one direction. Maybe five pieces did not shrink at all.

I don't know if any one else has read this but when I started making pillowcases for my grandkids, I read to use this formula 9 x 3 = 27, 9" for the wide band and 3" for the smaller band and 27" for the actual pillowcase, I have always used this way and I have made dozens of pillowcases over the years. I love making them and the grandkids love getting them. I have a grandson who just moved in his first apartment after college, and I made him quite a few.

I made a bunch of pillowcases some time ago but I didn't like the way they felt. I used good cotton but somehow it just doesn't feel like the ones you buy. Anyone else?