Learn to Sew – Project 4 – How to Make a Burrito Method Pillowcase

Hello everyone! This week’s tutorial as part of my Learn to Sew Series is a Pillowcase Using The Burrito Method! This is a really fun way to make a pillowcase and we will also be doing a technique called French Seams.

French Seams are when we sew over a seam encasing it, to cover the raw edges, so no raw edge is visible. This is a great sewing technique to know how to do and comes in handy when you want your sewing to be extra tidy and you don’t have a serger/overlocker.

I recommend using 100% quilting cotton for this project because it is a structured fabric that is easy to cut and sew, and won’t misbehave like other fabrics can – making it the perfect beginner-friendly fabric. Cotton is also natural and breathable, so always a good choice for bed linen.

You can make your Burrito Method Pillowcase any size you want, to fit whatever size pillow you have.

TO MAKE A BURRITO METHOD PILLOWCASE YOU WILL NEED

• 24″ width of fabric for body of pillowcase
• 12″ width of fabric for the cuff
• 2” width of fabric for the trim detail
• Thread
• Rotary Cutter, Ruler & Mat
• Pins
• Point turner (optional)
• Sewing scissors
• Sewing machine
• Iron & Ironing Board/Mat

You can find out more about which tools I recommend over here.

Please watch my video for full instructions on how to make a Buritto Method Pillowcase here:

INSTRUCTIONS TO MAKE A BURITTO METHOD PILLOWCASE

Press your fabric then cut:

• 24″ width of fabric for the body of the pillowcase
• 12″ width of fabric for the cuff
• 2” width of fabric for the trim detail

Take the 2″ trim detail, fold in half with the wrong sides of the fabric together, press.

Lay your cuff fabric out flat with the right side facing up.

Lining up the raw edges, lay your pillowcase body fabric on top.

Lining up the raw edges, lay your folded 2″ trim on top.

With the edges still lined up, carefully roll the body fabric so that it sits within the cuff fabric.

Take the bottom edge of the cuff fabric and fold it up and over so you can line up the edge with the top edges.

Pin.

Sew along the pinned edge with a ⅜” seam allowance.

Pull out the pillowcase body from the inside of the cuff.

Press the cuff on both sides, and then the edge of the cuff.

Topstitch at stitch length 3 along the edge of the cuff with a ⅛” seam allowance.

Trim both sides of the pillowcase to remove selvages and to make sure all edges line up.

Fold the pillowcase in half with the wrong sides of the fabric together, lining up the edges and ensuring the trim detail is lined up on both sides.

Pin.

At stitch length 2.5 sew along the pinned edge with a ⅜” seam allowance.

Trim the excess fabric from your stitches to a ⅛” seam allowance.

Turn the pillowcase wrong sides facing and press.

Sew along the edge with a ⅜” seam allowance.

Turn pillowcase right side out and press.

Trim loose threads.

OUR NEXT PROJECT

This project is part of my Learn to Sew Series, you can find out more about it here. Our next sewing project perfect for a beginner sewer is a Phone Pillow Holder, I have come up with my own pattern that is super easy, so let’s go!

If you would like the full supplies list for my eight-week course, as well as weekly emails with all the information you need each week please sign up for my emails over here.

Thanks so much for joining me! Please leave a comment and let me know how you go, or if you have any questions.

Stacey x