About Pillowcase Dresses

As long as there have been old pillowcases, there have been pillowcase dresses. Cute, functional, and easy to make for the novice seamstress, a dress made out of a pillowcase looks great on kids and keeps them cool in the summer. They are also a great way to use up odds and ends from the linen closet, especially pretty one-of-a-kind pillowcases.

Function

A pillowcase dress serves two functions: to give life to an old pillowcase that isn't being used on pillows, and to give a little girl an airy new dress that is easy to put on and play in.

Types

There are as many types of pillowcase dresses as there are pillowcases. Each dress will be different depending on the color or pattern of the pillowcase, the embroidery that might decorate the hem of the pillowcase, and the ribbon or tubing that is present on the pillowcase.

Size

A standard-sized pillowcase is best to use when making a pillowcase dress. It is already the appropriate length for a child-sized body.

Features

A pillowcase dress is made by taking a pillowcase that has some beautiful qualities (color, flower pattern, embroidery), and measuring it against your child to know how wide of a strip to cut off the top, while maintaining the desired length. A top strip is cut off horizontally. The dress is then folded vertically in half and arm holes are cut out. The fabric around the neck and armholes of the garment are folded into a thin tube which is sewn to make a casing for a ribbon to be threaded through. Ribbons are threaded through, and the fabric is gathered slightly when the ribbons are tied at the shoulders and adjusted for the size of the child. The finished dress hangs just below the child's knees, and has pretty bows at the top of shoulders.

Benefits

A pillowcase provides a child with an inexpensive and light cotton dress for summertime wear. A seamstress can experiment with styles of dresses with as many pillowcases as she has lying around.

Identification

It's easy to identify a pillowcase dress. They are straight and boxy sleeveless dresses, with slightly gathered material at the arms and neckline. Ribbons tie the dress together at the shoulders.

Time Frame

Making a pillowcase dress can take less than an hour.

Resources

• Granny B's Clothesline