Bossy, they are yours. If you can alter and continue to use and enjoy them - do that.

Use them if you can.

I would play with them! Cut away.... ;)

If there is a way you can use them, do it.

I'm a-cutting! I think maybe I was nervous about ruining project and it having to be tossed. Signed:. Beginner, not too confident seamstress. It's just pillow cases, who ruins that???

It's just pillow cases! They make great dusters if they really do get ruined, so there's no waste. It's a perfect thing to start with, and I'm sure they'll come out great. Caring enough to do a nice job is most of the battle. If you feel unsure, baste. It'll be fine. Sew away!

I'm not understanding this. I an see shortening king cases to standard, but how will you make standard cases into king size? Oh, maybe you have *three* standards and can use some material from the third one?

Chisue, you misunderstood what the OP wrote. She has purchased new king-size pillow cases, but they are plain. The internal debate was whether to donate the fancy standard cases to charity, or cut the fancy trim off the standard cases and sew that trim onto the plain king cases so they will match the duvet. She chose to cut and sew.

@Lindsey_CA, you can be my spokesperson any time! I finished my modified pillowcases and I'm pleased with my work. I would post a pic, but it's just darned pillow cases My duvet cover and new pillow cases, look nice.

Yeah!

Oh, please post a picture! I know that I, for one, would love to see the finished project. It also might inspire others to take on a project.

Oh, let us see your handiwork - post a picture!

Since we are interested, guess you have to post a picture. And remember, you can donate or give in some other way. So enjoy your handwork, and think of the cases as a Christmas gift to you.

Pink

Oh alright twist my arm, ha.

For my beginner self, it wasn't you a matter of slapping a new cuff, i also wanted it to look finished on the reversed. I managed to do that.

Excellent!

I'm so glad you decided to go for it. Helping those less fortunate should not come at the expense of having some nice things yourself. I'm sure you can find other ways to give.

Oh, I see. It was the *trim* you wanted to save. Nice job!

Looks terrific, bossy!

You did a fantastic job! The finished pillow case looks really, really nice. You deserve to be proud of yourself!!

what a great upcycle!!

You might have read this story elsewhere but I think about it all the time so I will share again. My maternal GM was a very accomplished seamstress. One day, long ago when I was a surly teenager, she pulls an expensive silk fabric and decides she's going to teach me how to sew. I wasn't at all interested so I suggested we start "easy" with a cotton or something. She says: "nonsense, any idiot can follow this pattern". Guess what happened:. I ruined the thing. She was so mad at me and I was so aggravated about being forced to do something in which I wasn't interested. She always regretted that neither my mom or I were interested in sewing and I, in the spirit of full rebellion, stayed as far away from sewing as possible. That is until the day, many years later, that I saw a pair of shorts I liked with a ridiculous price tag. DH got me a $20 sewing machine (toy like) and it got me started. I LOVE doing basic things like pillows, repairs, personalizing stuff. Just love it. I often wonder whether GM is watching and relieved that somebody took up her hobby/passion. It is a bittersweet story b/c she and I never got along. Not really hatred but rather total misunderstanding of one another. Mutual loss..... I am jealous of all who write and reminisce about their wonderful grannies, a gift to be sure.