SATURDAY SEWING: Making a Pillow Case with the Janome Sewist 721

One of the first projects I ever made with my sewing machine was a pillow case for my daughter. I like to make seasonal projects, so I’m starting now so that I’m not rushed in December.

Please scroll to the bottom of this post for sources of where to find more information and inspiration for sewing with the Janome Sewist 721. 

I went into my fabric library and found three different fabrics that I wanted to use. I like to use a solid fabric for the thin band on the pillow case. Cut the wide band 12″ W.O.F. (width of fabric). Cut the thin band 3″ W.O.F., and cut 28″ W.O.F. of the main fabric.

The Sewist 721 is a great machine to use to make this project. It has no problem sewing through layers of fabric. Janome makes quality machines where the inside of the machine is a solid aluminium cast frame + the motor is strong so needle piercing power is assured. 

This is the fabric I want to use for the wide band. If you use directional fabric, make sure you cut it and place it appropriately.

Press the thin band in half lengthwise and place along long edge of wide band.

Then roll the main part of the pillow case and match up the short edge with the wide and thin bands.

This is what all the fabrics should look like.

Bring up the bottom of the wide band and encase all the fabric and pin. It will look like a fabric enchilada. You will find that all W.O.F. (width of fabric) are not always the same. If some of the fabric doesn’t match up on the end, don’t worry as you will trim it off once sewn.

Once sewn, turn ride side out and press.

As you can see, my W.O.F. are different lengths.

Trim this off so that each fabric is equal.

Sew along the seam on the thin band. This keeps the thin band laying flat.

Pin the pillow case wrong sides together long wise, matching the wide and thin bands. Start to sew a 1/4″ seam at the wide band. Reverse at the beginning and end of stitching.

Turn inside out and press well.

Sew a 3/8″ seam which will encase the first seam. This creates a French seam. Press well.

Repeat the last two steps on the end of the pillow case. Sew 1/4″ seam wrong sides together starting at side seam. Turn inside out, press, push out corners and sew a 3/8″ seam.

This is what the French seam looks like.

Here is the finished product. A gift that you can specialize. Happy Sewing.

NEED MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT YOUR JANOME SEWIST 721 CAN DO? 

• Visit our Janome Life You Tube channel for videos about this machine. 
• Visit our website links above and here for the Sewist 721
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