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The tube method encloses a pillowcase band’s raw edges in one long seam: align the band and pillowcase body, roll the body inside the band, sew the aligned edges, then pull the body through the tube. The key is keeping the roll out of the seam allowance so the pillowcase can turn correctly.
What you need
- Pillowcase fabric, cut to the dimensions in your chosen pattern
- Thread, pins and a sewing machine
- Optional lightweight interfacing and decorative stitching supplies, if you plan to embellish the band
- Optional trim, such as rickrack or pompom/French trim
For exact cutting dimensions and sizing assumptions, use the downloadable pattern linked from American Patchwork & Quilting’s tutorial. Its transcript does not provide the measurements, so they should not be inferred from the video.
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If you want decorative machine stitching, add it to the band before assembling the pillowcase. In their embellished example, presenters Jennifer Keltner and Jill Mead suggest allowing extra band fabric because stitching can draw fabric in; they also use lightweight interfacing on the wrong side for stability and chalk lines as guides. Their extra allowance is advice for that example, not a general sizing rule.
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Make the tube
- Lay out the band and body. Place the band face up. Align one raw edge of the pillowcase body with the same edge of the band, with right sides together and raw edges even.
- Roll the body. Starting at the body’s opposite end, roll the fabric toward the aligned edges. Stop about 2 to 3 inches from the top edge.
- Wrap the band around the roll. Bring the band’s lower edge over the roll. Match its raw edge to the aligned band and body edges, then pin through all three layers.
- Check before sewing. Make sure the rolled pillowcase body is clear of the seam allowance. If it gets caught in the stitching, the body will not pull through the tube properly.
- Sew the long seam. Stitch through the aligned raw edges in one continuous long seam, keeping the roll out of the needle’s path.
- Turn the pillowcase. Pull the rolled body through the tube until it is right side out. The band seam is now enclosed on both the front and back.
Add trim and close the pillowcase
Add any desired trim before sewing the pillowcase body closed. The tutorial demonstrates rickrack over pompom/French trim; position trim so it will not interfere with the final seam. Remove or move any pompom that would be caught in the seam allowance.
Fold the pillowcase so its remaining edges meet, then sew the L-shaped seam along one long side and one short side. Finish the raw edge using either method below:
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| Finish | Choose it when |
|---|---|
| Serging | You have a serger and want to finish the raw edge that way. |
| French seam | You prefer to enclose the raw edge with a sewn seam rather than serge it. |
The tutorial presents both as finishing options and does not rank one above the other.
Common tube-method problem: the body is caught in the seam
If the body does not pull through cleanly, the rolled portion may have slipped into the seam allowance during pinning or sewing. Before stitching, check that the roll sits below and clear of the aligned raw edges; as you sew, keep the roll from creeping under the needle. The tube should contain the band and the seam allowance, not the rolled pillowcase body.
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About the demonstration
American Patchwork & Quilting published its “Perfect Pillowcases: Learn the Tube Method” tutorial on October 13, 2016. The page includes a 7:12 video and transcript featuring Jennifer Keltner and Jill Mead. Follow its downloadable pattern for project dimensions.
Quick Recap
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