Hellobee

{Otherwise known as a DIY Trick-or-Treat sack.}

My Mini Michelangelo loooooves Halloween. Loves it. Our mantle is decked out. Our yard is dressed up. There’s tricks and treats in every room. (Tricks being the motion activated spider in the foyer, and treats being the Halloween-themed candy bowl in the family room.) But for my Mini, it still wasn’t enough. I was looking for a way to add a little more festive decor without breaking the bank or adding to the woefully full storage area downstairs. While picking up supplies for Son #2’s room, I came across the perfect solution. Holiday pillowcases! The supplies are affordable, they are easy to make, and they don’t take much room to store! Win-win-win.

Now, I’ve been sewing for as long as I can remember. I know that I made my own nightgown when I was five… but sewing projects from even before that live on in my parents’ house. I wanted to pass this skill down to my Mini. He’s helped me before with sewing projects, and I thought that he was old enough to try taking on more of the project. It required a lot of supervision while near the machine… but he did it! Here’s how you, and your Mini, can too!

I chose to use a “Tube” method for the pillowcase. This results in french seams, so there are no raw edges to finish. If you search for “Tube Pillowcase” you will find plenty of video tutorials online. I’ve outlined the process below.

{I chose fabrics from Marcus Brothers, Robert Kauffman, and my stash!}

You will need:

• 25″ (ask for 3/4 yard) of fabric for the pillowcase body
• 9″ (ask for 1/4 yard) of fabric for the pillowcase cuff
• 2″ (ask for 1/8 yard) of fabric for the accent
• thread
• scissors
• iron

Instructions: 

Before you start, you should wash and dry all your fabric. This allows for any shrinking that might happen. I also like to iron the fabric so that it makes it easier to cut.

Next, you want to cut your fabric to the above dimensions, utilizing the whole width of fabric for each piece.

Fold the accent strip in half, and iron.

Then, it’s all about layering it correctly. Pay attention here, and it will all magically come together. I promise!

First, on a flat surface, lay your cuff fabric right side UP.

Next, lay the accent strip on top of the cuff fabric. Align the tops, with open edges of accent strip aligned with the raw edge of the cuff fabric.

Then, place the pillowcase body right side DOWN on top of the other fabric pieces.

{If you have a small helper, I find it’s easier for the adults to line the fabric, while the kiddos hold in place -or- hand you the right fabric. Mini was in charge of handing me the “medium” fabric, the “small” fabric, and the “super size” fabric. I was in charge of aligning.}

{If you haven’t already, grab your helper! In this case, Spidey was helping out.}

Now it’s time for the “tube” part!

Carefully roll the pillowcase body fabric up towards the pins. When you have just a couple of inches at the top left, fold the cuff fabric over, aligning the raw edge with the other raw edges. Pin in place. You should now have a fabric “tube” on your table.

Sew a seam length-wise, using a 1/4″ seam allowance.

Once you have your seam, stick your hand in… grab the fabric, and pull the body fabric out. You should know have a  finished cuff and accent strip. Press.

Next, fold the pillowcase in half with the WRONG sides are together. Pin in place. (It should look like a pillowcase now.)

{Yes, I allowed Mini to pin. He’s very careful, and it’s a great focus activity for him.}

Sew a 1/4″ seam along the open side and bottom of the pillowcase. Turn the pillowcase inside out, and sew another seam along the open side and bottom. This time use a 3/8″ seam. This encloses the original seam and makes what is called a “French Seam.”

Turn the pillowcase right side out and iron. Ta-Da! Holiday decor/trick-or-treat sack.

Author’s note: I do realize that the fabric seems like it’s upside down here. But to a five-year-old boy looking down at his sack.. it’s right side up. This was a long debate in our house, and this was the choice my Mini Michelangelo made for orientation.