Duh!!! I need help - suggestions!
 

I know this is the place to come for help - you never fail. I am NOT a new quilter but I make some dumb mistakes new quilters don't even know how to make.

A while back I made a scrappy quilt with all small flowered fabrics. I've decided it isn't long enough - just don't have enough length to fit it over the pillow. So today I had this "good idea" - not. I still have lots of the fabric I used on the quilt so I can cut up the same fabrics into 5" squares and make scrappy pillow cases and I won't have to worry about the pillow tuck.....I can just put them on top of the quilt. Well, I got all the squares cut - 120 of them (for 2 cases) when as I was sewing them together the loud speaker went off in my head - loud and clear - "this won't work dummy". I planned on sewing them up and putting a band on the top to match the sashing in the quilt - never thinking about the fact that I would have all those raw edges on the inside of the pillow cases - what a nightmare when they needed washed.

So, can someone give me a suggestion. The only thing I can think of is sewing muslin to the back of the blocks I've sewn together - but then do I have to quilt them? I am going to bed and hope that the quilt fairy comes to help me out while I sleep.

This board is awesome and I never get tired reading and learning from all of you. Thanks bunches.

Pat

How about an iron on interfacing?

Just line the patched parts with a piece of muslin.

I made pillow shams to go with a quilt. I pieced a quilt the size of the pillow with a border (batting and all) using muslin for the backing, quilted to match the quilt. Then I used 2 pieces of the same backing fabric as the quilt and "birthed" it leaving an envelope opening to insert the pillow. Hope this makes sense.

I like the idea of muslin as a 'backing' for each piece of the pillow. I would probably sew the squares together for a front piece, then back it with muslin. Then sew the squares together for a back piece, then back that with muslin. I think for good measure I would sew a few lines through it (like quilting it). I don't think it would have to be that dense (maybe a three or four vertical and a couple horizontal???) but that would prevent the whole thing from bunching up inside. It's more like you are making an 'interlining'.

Then after that I would sew the front & back pieces together with French seams and then apply the band.

I'm sure they will be beautiful!

I made pillowcases out of the left over scraps from my DD's quilt. I just sewed all the pieces together until I had a piece 27x45. Then I cut a piece of cheap clearance shelf fabric the same size and layered them wrong sides together. Then I just followed the pattern the same way I've done all my other pillow cases. My DD has been sleeping on these for 3 years now with no issues. I was concerned the seams would be uncomfortable, but I've slept on them and you don't even notice the seams.

This sounds really kool. Please be sure to show us when you finish them. BrendaK

505 spray may hold them still for you. Sorry we all do this it's a creative curve.

I am going to make a pillow sham for my twin Dresden using leftover blocks and I have a cheap store bought pillow sham I'm going to use as a pattern. I'll have two more blocks left-maybe round pillows with ruffles and lace and a zipper on the back.

This is what I think I will do. Did you stitch your lining fabric to the outer layer. I think I might do a few lines each way to keep them together.

Thanks everyone for all you input. It certainly is appreciated. I'm glad to know of others that have made the pillow cases this way.

I would rethink it entirely and use the extra squares for either shams or throw pillows. that way, any issues with seams and durability will be less. Then, I'd keep the quilt as is, coming up to where the pillows stop. You can buy coordinating solid sheets and cuff the edge over the top if the quilt edge. This is easier on the quilt, as it's not folded and edges aren't being rubbed together all the time. And looks good, IMO. Stores display bedding like that all the time.

hugs,
Charlotte the outlier

I've made pillow shams, but it would work for cases too if you don't want to do shams.....you would just have to make them a little larger to accommodate the added "bulk."
Do each rectangle like a mini quilt - with backing (muslin) and a thin batting....then quilt.
RE: the inside.....The only "raw" edge you will have is the seam of sewing front and back together....and you can "french" seam that or serge/zig zag.

my aunt recently had this issue... not enough quilt to go up over the pillows. she had extra fabric and just made a 'short quilt' to lay over the pillows. it works well and there is no issue of seams on the pillow to lay on and having to wash the pillowcases more than the quilt, maybe having them more faded than the quilt.

I would also just line them, but rather than muslin, I would use a polyester jacket lining type fabric. It is a little slippery which will make it easier for the pillows to be put in. I would cut it the same size as your pieced fabric, and treat it as one: put the wrong sides together and handle them as a single piece. You could add a few lines of quilting, but if you catch it in the 2 side seams and the bottom seam, then either serge or make a French seam, it won't be going anywhere. I would wash it first.

I would make quilted pillow shams. I think of pilllws with shams as mainly decorative.

Then I would make "ordinary" coordinating pillowcases for actual use.

I made pillow shams from leftover blocks that I had after completing a quilt. I just made a mini quilt with batting and backing and quilted it. Then, I used a single layer of backing fabric for a back and sewed it to the mini quilt. (The back piece was actually 2 pieces that overlap so I can get the pillow inside.) It looks great and works great, too.

I love making pillow topper/runner from the same fabrics/blocks as the quilt. it lays across both pillows & looks like part of the quilt. It's sandwiched & finished like the quilt.

What are the measurements of the toppers you make - say for a queen sized bed? I would love to see a picture of what they look like on the bed. Thanks!

I like the bed runner idea the best so far, just put it over the pillows instead of at the foot of the bed. https://www.google.ca/search?q=bed+r...w=1280&bih=865

Instead of the pillow cases - add them like a "panel" across the top of the quilt. A friend just finished a Christmas sample quilt with a panel across the top, looks great.

My pillow shams are all lined. The ones I buy and the ones I've made. Make the lining slight smaller than the sham and it will fit perfectly. Not a big an issue as you imagine. Been there..................
Gramma Hunt

My pillow toppers are the same length as the space your pillows cover. I don't make real big quilts anymore so they just cover the top of the bed. The toppers make them look bigger.

Sure wish I could include a pix because I thought my latest quilt was clever. I started throwing together 10 Minute Blocks" then started adding my own touches to them. Then really got carried away & put Double Diamonds around ea. corner on the border. Took it to a LAQ who said it was so beaut she couldn't do it justice & needs custom work. Wow, was I proud. She gave ne the name of a custom LAQ who did great job on it. Didn't even charge me for the topper.

She even asked if I'd teach classes of some of the things I did. Boy, did my head swell.

Sorry I can't add pix since I just have an iPad now & am still learning how to use it. If somebody wanted to help I could email pix so they could put them on here

Pat

Well, I only got 1 pillow case made - too many interuptions today. It's not the greatest and I think maybe I would like a runner better. I may take it apart and start over. Besides it doesn't fit right on that pillow and if I had a runner I wouldn't have that problem. I looked on the Internet to try to find a picture with a pillow runner but couldn't find one. If anyone has a picture with one on their bed I'd love to see it. Thanks, Pat

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I like the idea of a bed runner. It can cover the pillows during the day and keep your feet warm at night.

I use pinking shears..that has always worked for me..u can trim all your edges with them

I would continue as you're doing and then sandwich and quilt the fabric and then cut the lengths for my pillow cases. You can include a thin batting if you like. You'll still have a raw edge inside the pillow case but you would have that even if you made them from whole cloth. Or you could flat fell the seams inside, to make them really neat. I like quilted pillow cases, think the extra fabric gives the pillows more shape and definition and look great as pillow shams. More work, yes, but you've already stepped in blood...... so to speak.

You can make a quilt runner to cover the pillows. You make it long enough to cover both pillows, plus drop then quilt like your bed quilt.

What about French Seams? At least that is what I would do.

Assuming that you have pieced enough blocks for the pillow top (not bottom), and that the other side will be palin old muslin

Sew the muslin to the back of the pieced blocks - like you have sandwiched a quilt that has no batting

Stitch in the ditch to secure muslin and blocks,

Stitch 1/4" around edges make sure all the seams of the blocks don't come undone.

Then construct the pillow as you usually would.

Hi Pat...here's a topper / pillow cover i made to go with an inexpensive store bought comforter. It is 24 x 72 and on a queen bed, just to give you an idea of how it can look. [ATTACH=CONFIG]512445[/ATTACH]

Step back and punt! Say to yourself, "I am not making pillow cases. I am making pillows." Put a backing on your top, leave an opening large enough to get your pillow inside, hand stitch it shut and voila! You have a pillow. froggyintexas

I don't think that all those seams would feel good on you face when you lie down. Why not just make a runner (like a bed runner for the bottom of the bed) but make it for the top of your pillows. It would match and look great! That way you get the extra length for a minimal amount of work. Just put it on after you make the bed. Good luck!