1. Start with a purchased square or rectangular knife-edge pillow insert—that’s the kind that tapers at the edges. Select a pillow insert—we used a 12-in. x 12-in. size. The amount of fabric you need will depend on your pillow size (we used less than a yard), but the kind of fabric you choose is limited only by your imagination!
  2. Press fabric and lay it wrong side up on a flat surface. Measure two pieces of fabric (see above for pillow assembly diagram): A1 (add 1-in. to width and length of your pillow insert); A2 (add 1-in. to width of your pillow insert and 6-1/2-in. to the length). So for our 12 in. square pillow, A1 is 13-in. square; A2 is 13-in. x 18-1/2-in. Cut pieces A1 and A2.
  3. Cut fabric piece A2 (refer to photo above) into two 9-1/4-in. x 13-in. pieces. With wrong sides up, fold a 1-1/2-in. hem along the cut edge of each piece to make two 7-3/4-in. x 13 in. pieces, B1. Press hems in place. Fold under 1/4-in. along the cut edge on each hem, B2; press. Sew along edges of both folded hems as shown in C.
  4. Lay hemmed pieces right side up, hemmed edges together. Overlap the hems as shown in D to make their combined width equal to the width of the remaining piece of fabric, A1. Pin the overlap closed at top and bottom.
  5. Mark the position of iron-on Velcro fasteners along the edges of the hemmed opening, spacing evenly 4 in. to 5 in. apart. Following package directions, iron them into place. Close the fasteners.
  6. Place the piece with the fastened opening on top of the remaining A1 piece with right sides together. Pin edges all around.
  7. Stitch the two pieces together 1/2-in. from the edge all around, rounding each corner slightly. Trim seam on diagonal at each corner shown in E, removing pins as you go. Turn pillowcase right side out through the hemmed pillow opening. Press.

DIY Pillowcases Craft Project Photography by C&T.