Friday, May 20, 2011

Pillowcase Dress Tutorial!

If you are like us, you seem to have a stash of  pillowcases that you have somehow collected over the years.   We have been giving some of our favorite cases a new life lately by turning them into dresses (mostly for Harper...we need some more girls in this family!)  So we thought we would share a little tutorial with you for these sweet Pillowcase Dresses.


First you need to download the {free} pattern by clicking here.

Once you have downloaded it and cut out the desired size, we recommend you read over all directions before you getting started.  Here are the steps:

1.  Start with a pillowcase-it doesn’t matter what size.

2.  Iron it flat, then cut off the top 1/2 inch.

3.  Fold so the front center is now the right edge. 

4.  Place front pattern piece so the center front is on the decorative front part of the pillowcase.
The back pattern piece center front should be on the opposite fold.

5. This is what the pieces should look like after cut and unfolded. 

6.  Put right sides together so the inside is now the outside and sew together
at sides with a 1/2 inch seam allowance

7.  Trim seam allowance to 1/4 inch and finish with a zig zag or finishing stitch.  

8.  Turn raw edge of armhole under 1/8 inch and then 1/4 inch and topstitch.
Take it slowly to keep it smooth and even.

 9.  Another picture showing what the armhole should look like.

10.  Fold raw edge of the neckline down 1/8 inch and then 
1 inch and topstitch, creating casings for the ribbon.

11.  Pull ribbon through the casings, with ends meeting on one side. I use a loop turner
to pull it through, but you can attach a safety pin to and feed it through.

12.  You are finished!!

There you go!  Your sweet pillowcase has a happy, new purpose! 

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, thanks! I just downloaded this and can't wait to try it!

AngieG said...

That is the prettiest pillowcase I have ever seen! Plus, I think that is the true definition of a pillowcase dress. Most are made out of fat quarters or regular fabric... Great tutorial and adorable dress! I can't wait to start on my first first Sew Sweet Pattern today! (the Ruby)

VickiT said...

Oh what a pretty dress. The last trip to the Salvation Army store I was seeking out pillowcases and found a few very pretty ones. I have so many tutorials to make pillowcase dresses but haven't attempted one yet as funny as that sounds. I love that you've given us such a great little pattern we can print so the dresses we make will all be sewn exactly the same way. Thank you so much.

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Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for the pattern and tutorial! This dress is so cute! I made one with ruffle pants and posted a picture on my blog with a link to yours.

Thank you!

Anonymous said...

oops! here is a link to my blog if you'd like to check it out.
http://thissouthernmomma.blogspot.com/

ginamarieviolinist said...

I hunted everywhere to find a pillowcase dress pattern I liked. Thanks so much for this tutorial and pattern!I shared photos of my project at http://www.mylittlesomethingsweet.com/2014/03/06/mommy-and-me-outfits/

I linked back to this post. Thanks again!

angiefalangee said...

I found your pattern on pinterest. Just wanted to say thank you. It was so simple to make took me about an hour and a half to make a dress for my niece. Now to make one for my little girl! Thanks again!

Anonymous said...

I feel so silly, but I can't get the pattern to print. Any idea what I'm doing wrong? I hit "print" at the top of the screen and I've right-clicked and chosen print.

Anonymous said...

Nevermind, I got it. I guess I had to join Box first. Thanks for the pattern! It's a beautiful dress!

Anonymous said...

I've been looking for a guideline on how long to make the ties/ribbons. Do you have any recommendations? I don't have little kids anymore, but I want to make these as gifts. Thanks again!

ItsOtto said...

I have been searching...thank you for posting. I thought the whole point of a Pillowcase dress was to make it from Pillowcases...everything I came up with was a dress from scratch.
Can you make it without cutting the sides? By just cutting the armholes and neckline? Just curious.

NEL, the batter baker said...

Thanks for sharing this lovely pattern. What width and length of ribbon did you use?

Unknown said...

These are precious! Thanks for the how-to! I think I'm going to have my MIL help me with one (or two, make one for my niece..) next weekend!

Gretta Hewson
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Not sleeping enough and not sleeping well can cause an array of serious health concerns so the issue shouldn't be ignored best silk pillowcase Lots of people find these are the easiest size to sleep with no matter the size of their bed

Beth M. said...

Is there a way i can alter this dress pattern to fit my 9 year old? She wears a size 8/10

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