Pillow Case Shrug

After

Before

In the summer, I'm always looking for lightweight shrugs or cardigans to cover my shoulders. For years, I've used sheet sets for a variety of projects. Recently it occurred to me that there should be something I could do with a pillowcase! 

First, I cut off the hem and both seams. Most pillowcases are sewn from one big rectangle, so the other edge is just folded. 

 Then, I opened the fabric and folded both edges toward the middle. I left about a 4-5 inch gap in the middle because I don't need the shrug to meet, but do want to have it come over my shoulders.

Next, I folded it down the middle, cut a small section out for the neck and cut the arm holes. 

 7" ended up being about the right depth for the armhole for me. I cut a teardrop shape out of the fabric.

 I decided to give the back a little shaping, so I pinched out fabric and made two simple darts. I didn't even really measure, I just used the first to mark the proper distance and depth, so the second would match it.

Apparently, I then got so excited about finishing the project that I forgot to take pictures until the end... I'm still figuring out this whole blogging thing... Anyways, after making the darts, I sewed the shoulder seams and a narrow hem around the bottom edge.

To make the binding, I cut the hem down the middle (right on the crease) and sewed it together to make one long strip. Then, I sewed a seam at the edge and flipped it.

As I pinned the binding in place, I marked where it needed to end and sewed the other end in the same way. I placed the binding against the right side of the fabric and used a zig-zag stitch to hold it in place and to catch the raw edge a little. Then, I laid the binding flat and top-stitched all the way around. 

Here it is finished!

 And here's another I made with a second pillowcase.