DIY Ruffle Pillowcase Pattern – Easy Tutorial for Any Pillow Size

If you’re looking for an easy way to add a touch of charm to your home decor, then you’re going to love this DIY ruffle pillowcase tutorial! Today, I’m going to show you how to sew a ruffle pillowcase for any size of pillow you have at home. Whether you want to give your bedroom a soft, romantic vibe or just love the look of ruffles, this tutorial has you covered.

I’ll guide you through each step, from measuring your pillows to sewing the perfect ruffles. And don’t worry—I’ll also include a handy size chart in case you’re making your pillowcases from scratch! 

So grab your fabric, thread, and sewing machine, and let’s start stitching up some ruffly goodness!

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The Story Behind This Project

I’ve been slowly working on renovating my master bedroom, and from the start, I knew I wanted to finally have the princess-style bedroom I always dreamed of as a kid. It all started with my blue reading chair, which I made even cozier with my Rose Pillow Pattern.

Then, I got creative and made a DIY duvet cover using simple sheets from my linen stash. But something was still missing—the bed needed a little extra girly charm.

That’s when I decided to make some ruffle pillowcases! They add the perfect touch of softness and elegance, making my dream bedroom come together piece by piece. Now, I’m so excited to share this project with you so you can create your own beautiful, ruffly pillows too!

Drafting The Sewing Pattern

Picking the perfect size for your ruffle pillowcase is super easy! All you need to do is measure your pillow horizontally and vertically—that’s it! If you’re making a pillow from scratch, you can check out my Pillow Sizes Guide, where I break down all the measurements and cutting instructions for different bed sizes. But if you already have a pillow insert ready to go, here’s how to get the right fit:

Step 1: Measure Your Pillow

Grab your measuring tape and measure your pillow’s width (horizontal) and height (vertical). These two measurements will help you cut the perfect pattern pieces.

Step 2: Cut the Front Piece

Take the exact horizontal and vertical measurements from your pillow and use them to cut a rectangle for the front piece. No need to add seam allowance! We actually want the pillowcase to be slightly smaller than the insert for a nice, snug fit.

Step 3: Cut the Back Pieces (Envelope Closure)

The back of the pillowcase will have an overlapping opening so you can easily insert and remove your pillow. Here’s how to cut it:

1. Label your measurements:
   • A = Horizontal measurement
   • B = Vertical measurement
2. Calculate the back piece width:
   • Take A, divide it by 2, and then add 1 1/2 inches.
   • This will be the width of each back piece.
3. Cut two rectangles:
   • Each rectangle should be the width you just calculated × the height (B).
   • You’ll need two of these pieces to create the envelope-style opening.

Step 4: Calculate the Ruffle Length

To determine how long your ruffle strip should be, follow these steps:

1. Measure all four sides of your pillow by adding:
   • Side A (horizontal) + Side B (vertical)
2. Multiply that amount by 2 (since the pillow has four sides).
3. Multiply that final amount by 3 to get the perfect ruffle length.

This gives you a nice, full ruffle that gathers beautifully around the pillowcase!

Step 5: Choose Your Ruffle Width

The width of your ruffle is totally up to you! Here’s what to consider:

• I wanted a shorter, simpler ruffle, so I used a 3-inch width.
• If you want taller, more dramatic ruffles, go for a wider measurement—whatever you like!

Important: Since we’re folding the fabric strip in half before sewing it, make sure to multiply your desired ruffle width by 2 when cutting.

For example, if you want a 3-inch ruffle, cut your fabric strip 6 inches wide so you can fold it in half later.

Now that we have all our pieces ready let’s start sewing and bring this pillowcase to life!

How to Sew the DIY Ruffle Pillowcase

Now that we have all our pieces ready, it’s time to start sewing! Follow these simple steps to put together your ruffle pillowcase like a pro.

Step 1: Hem the Back Pieces

Before assembling the pillowcase, we need to finish the edges of the back pieces (the ones along measurement B).

1. Double-check that you’re working with the correct edges—this step is super important to ensure your pattern fits properly later!
2. Once you’ve identified the right edges, fold them twice (1 inch each time) to create a clean hem.
3. Press the fold with an iron and stitch close to the inner folded edge to secure the hem.

Step 2: Prepare the Ruffle Strip

Now let’s make the ruffle trim that will give our pillowcase that dreamy look!

1. Take your ruffle strip and sew the two short ends together with a straight stitch.
2. Press the seam allowances open with an iron on low heat.
3. Fold the entire ruffle strip lengthwise, with the wrong sides together, and press along the fold to create a neat crease.

Step 3: Gather the Ruffles

To create the ruffles, you have a few options:

• Use a gathering presser foot for an effortless and even gather.
• Try my gathering hack to simplify the process.
• Or go the traditional route: sew a long basting stitch (with the longest stitch length on your machine) along the raw edges, then gently pull the threads until the ruffle matches the total perimeter of your pillowcase.

Step 4: Attach the Ruffle to the Front Piece

1. Pin the ruffle strip all around the right side of the front pillowcase piece, making sure the gathered edge lines up with the fabric edge.
2. Take extra care at the corners so the ruffles don’t get accidentally tucked in when sewing.

Step 5: Assemble the Pillowcase

1. Place the two back pieces on top of the front piece, with the right sides facing. The hemmed edges should overlap in the center—this will create the envelope opening.
2. Pin everything together and sew around all four edges with a ¼-inch seam allowance.
3. Finish the raw edges by either serging them or attaching bias binding for extra durability.

Step 6: Turn & Enjoy!

Once everything is sewn, turn your pillowcase right side out, give it a final press, and insert your pillow. Now, step back and admire your beautiful ruffle pillowcase!

Final Thoughts

And that’s it! Your DIY ruffle pillowcase is ready to add a soft, feminine touch to any space. Whether you’re decorating your bedroom, reading nook, or even a cozy corner in your living room, this pillowcase brings a charming, handmade feel to your home.

The best part? You can customize it however you like! Use a floral print fabric for a dreamy cottagecore vibe, or try a solid pastel for a minimalist but elegant look. You can even experiment with different pillow shapes—this same tutorial works for square, circular, or even heart-shaped pillows for an extra cute touch!

I hope you loved making this project as much as I did! Let me know if you try it out—I’d love to see your beautiful pillowcases!