Sew a patchwork-trimmed pillow case

• How to sew darts
• How to insert a concealed zip
• Simple sewing repairs: make do and mend
• Watch 'Great British Sewing Bee' how-to-sew videos
• How to use bias binding
• 'Great British Sewing Bee' video: how to make and apply bias binding
• 'Great British Sewing Bee' video: how to sew an invisible zip
• 'Great British Sewing Bee' video: how to sew curved seams
• 'Great British Sewing Bee' video: how to sew a straight seam
• 'Great British Sewing Bee' video: how to sew on a button
• Create it with cross-stitch
• How to insert a zip
• Hand-sewing: how to do slipstitch, hemstitch and running stitch
• How to make piping
• How to make fabric ties
• How to make inverted pleats
• How to sew a plain seam
• How to do free machine embroidery
• Make a patchwork needle case: free sewing pattern
• Machine-embroider a handmade card
• Make a lightweight summer quilt: free sewing pattern
• Get started with embroidery
• Add appliqué hearts to hand towels
• Sew a memory heart
• Sew a patchwork pin cushion
• Sew a patchwork-trimmed pillow case
• Sew appliquéd egg cosies
• Make a cross-stitch toadstool pincushion
• Create a cross-stitch lavender bag
• Create a tailor-made towel - with cross-stitch
• Create a cross-stitch coat-hanger cover
• Create a cross-stitch heart cushion cover: free sewing pattern
• Make cross-stitch baby booties
• Sew a 'home' appliqué cushion: free sewing pattern
• Make a patchwork throw
• Sew a patchwork scarf: free sewing pattern
• Sew a patchwork quilt bedspread
• Sew an appliqué boat cushion: free sewing pattern
• Sharpen up your dressmaking skills
• Create an embroidered picture
• Add appliqué to a cushion
• How to make a patchwork cushion: free sewing pattern

Cut rectangles from a selection of fabrics 14cm wide in random lengths between 5cm and 9cm. Stitch them all together to form a 14cm-wide strip long enough for your pillowcase. Press seam allowances open. Cut strip in half lengthwise. Reverse one strip and stitch the two together to give a random effect. Press seam allowances open. Press under 1cm around outer edge and stitch to one edge of pillowcase.

Pillowcase, John Lewis (0845 604 9049)

Feature: Kirsty Robertson. Photo: Richard Burns Illustration: Terry Evans

You might also like...

Patchwork with paper: make a collage flower card

Patchwork pin cushion to sew

A beginner's guide to patchwork

See more sewing projects for fabric scraps

Make your bedroom beautiful: craft ideas for where you sleep