As with many holidays, I had to work on Valentine’s Day this year. Instead of forcing a little celebration in at 8:30pm when I get home, we decided to just move the day to next week. I’m used to this — being a nurse means working weird hours, weekends, and every other holiday. Thank God my family is flexible and willing to pretend it’s the holiday on a postponed date. Valentine’s Day is an easy one (plus it gives the hubs more time to get some goodies hehe).
For our Valentine’s Day next week I wanted to make a little something for the Hubs and I. In true Practical Patty fashion, I made us some flannel pillowcases. It’s still Winter and we are total suckers for flannel when it’s cold. For a little special touch, I embroidered them with ‘His’ and ‘Hers’.
What you will need:
– regular pillowcase
– 1.5-2 yards of flannel fabric
– embroidery thread in your choice of color
– embroidery needle
– embroidery hoop
– The Usual Suspects: scissors, thread, sewing machine
- Using your regular pillowcase as a pattern guide, cut your fabric. I like to fold the fabric in half and cut on the fold. Remember to leave a 1/2 to 1 inch seam allowance.
- Turn your fabric right-side in. If you cut on the fold like I did, you will sew one short side and the remaining long side. If you did not cut on the fold, sew both long sides and one short side. I used a zig-zag stitch – it is more durable and forgiving than a straight stitch. Leave at least a 1/4 inch seam.
- Fold out your open end to create a cuff. Sew down with straight stitch.
- Trim all threads and your corners to allow for sharp corners with turned out.
- Turn your pillowcase right side out and press.
Embroidery
I’ve recently rediscovered emrboidery and I forgot how fun it was! It’s a nice way to personalize things without a lot of labor. Now, I’m not an expert in this area – I’m still learning, so my work isn’t perfect, but it came out pretty great anyway!
- Pick a spot on your pillowcase to embroider – I chose an upright corner so it wouldn’t be irritating while we sleep. Slip that spot into your embroidery hoop.
- Write in pencil or fabric pen ‘His’ or ‘Hers’.
- I used a stem stitch for my lettering because it curves nicely. The stem stitch is easy to master. Simply make a straight stitch and bring your needle and thread back up at the center of your original stitch, moving your needle to one side of the stitch. Finish the stitch as you would finish another straight stitch and keep the length of the original stitch.
- I like this website for learning basic embroidery stitches.
I know it’s something simple, but I think he’ll like it. He’s my hubs for all the right reasons; he knows me, inside and out, upside down and backwards. And he still loves me. He has always championed me to be my best self – no matter what that means. Thankfully I know how much he loves flannel so maybe these will make up for some of my crazy antics haha.
Happy Belated Valentine’s Day, friends!
Bridget
XOXO
Crafty Bridge 