Sew a patchwork-trimmed pillow case

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• How to insert a concealed zip
• Simple sewing repairs: make do and mend
• Watch 'Great British Sewing Bee' how-to-sew videos
• How to use bias binding
• 'Great British Sewing Bee' video: how to make and apply bias binding
• 'Great British Sewing Bee' video: how to sew an invisible zip
• 'Great British Sewing Bee' video: how to sew curved seams
• 'Great British Sewing Bee' video: how to sew a straight seam
• 'Great British Sewing Bee' video: how to sew on a button
• Create it with cross-stitch
• How to insert a zip
• How to make piping
• How to make fabric ties
• How to make inverted pleats
• How to sew a plain seam
• Hand-sewing: how to do slipstitch, hemstitch and running stitch
• How to do free machine embroidery
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• Sew a patchwork quilt bedspread
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• Sharpen up your dressmaking skills
• Create an embroidered picture
• Add appliqué to a cushion
• How to make a patchwork cushion: free sewing pattern

Cut rectangles from a selection of fabrics 14cm wide in random lengths between 5cm and 9cm. Stitch them all together to form a 14cm-wide strip long enough for your pillowcase. Press seam allowances open. Cut strip in half lengthwise. Reverse one strip and stitch the two together to give a random effect. Press seam allowances open. Press under 1cm around outer edge and stitch to one edge of pillowcase.

Pillowcase, John Lewis (0845 604 9049)

Feature: Kirsty Robertson. Photo: Richard Burns Illustration: Terry Evans

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