A pillowcase is the perfect one-evening project: two seams, one cuff, and you have a gift that anyone will use. Jenny’s tube method sews the cuff and body together in a single pass, so there are no raw edges to finish and nothing to hand-stitch. Watch Jenny’s video below, then use our size chart to plan a pillowcase for any pillow — toddler and travel right through to king.
Standard Pillow Sizes
The most common question we get is what to make for a pillow that isn’t a standard bed pillow. Here are the finished pillow sizes to work from:
| Pillow | Finished pillow size |
|---|---|
| Toddler | 13" x 18" |
| Travel | 12" x 16" |
| Standard | 20" x 26" |
| Queen | 20" x 30" |
| King | 20" x 36" |
| Body | 20" x 54" |
Which Way Should a Directional Cuff Face?
If your cuff fabric has a print with a clear top and bottom, lay it out so the print runs toward the opening of the case. When the pillow is inserted and the case is lying on the bed, the print will read the right way up to anyone looking at it.
French Seams
Prefer a fully enclosed seam? Sew the side and bottom seams wrong sides together with a 1/4" seam, trim to 1/8", then press and sew again right sides together with a 3/8" seam. The raw edges finish inside the seam, which makes the case tougher through repeated washing — worth doing on a pillowcase you’re gifting.
Should I Prewash?
Yes, for a pillowcase. Cotton shrinks in the first wash and a pillowcase is a fitted item — if the body shrinks and the cuff doesn’t, the case pulls out of shape.
Ready to Sew?
Grab the Missouri Star Basics Pillowcase Pattern, or start with a kit that has the fabric picked out for you — the Zoe the Giraffe Easy Burrito Pillowcase Kit and the Jungle Friends Pillowcase Kit are both beginner-friendly. Making a matching set? See all our pillow sham patterns and kits.
