How to make a SUPER EASY pillowcase dress

Create cute and colorful dresses with little effort.

You don't need to be an expert with a sewing machine to create a cute, simple dress for your little girl. Some very basic stitching and an eye for pretty fabrics are sufficient. A young child feels extra-loved wearing dresses she knows were made just for her and you'll be proud of your handiwork each time you see her wearing her new outfit. You can create a whole series of dresses from pillowcases in different styles and give your little girl a wardrobe ranging from vintage to funky.

Things You'll Need

• Pillowcase
• Tape measure
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Sewing machine or needle and thread
• 2 yards of ribbon
• Bobby pin or safety pin

Instructions

1. Measure the girl from her shoulder to the desired hemline and add 7/8 inch to the measurement. This will be the length of the dress.

2. Spread the pillowcase flat on a work surface and measure the length of the dress from the open end of the pillowcase upward. Cut horizontally across the width of the fabric at the top of your measurement, removing the stitched end of the pillowcase. Discard the excess.

3. Fold the pillowcase in half lengthways, bringing the right edge of the fabric to meet the left edge.

4. Measure arm-holes at the top left corner of the pillowcase and pencil them lightly onto the fabric. They should be 3 inches long from the top of the fabric and 1.5 inches wide from its left edge for a small child, or 4 inches long and 2 inches wide for a larger child. Your arm-hole measurements should look like the letter "J" sketched onto the corner of the material.

5. Cut along your measurement to create the arm-holes. Cut through both layers of fabric, making both arm holes at once. Unfold the pillow case and hem the rough edges with a sewing machine if you have one and a needle and thread if you do not.

6. Fold the top front of the dress down 1/4 inch, and stitch it lightly into place. Fold it again 5/8 inch and sew it closed to create a small tube. Repeat this on the top back of the dress.

7. Cut two 1 yard pieces of ribbon. Thread one through the tube at the front of the neckline and the other through the tube at the back, using a bobby pin or safety pin to guide them through the fabric. Tie small knots at the ends of both ribbons.

8. Tie the ribbon ends together on each side, making a decorative bow and creating straps to hold up the dress.

Tips & Warnings

• You can hem the excess pillow case and use it as a belt or sash to match the dress instead of discarding it when you're done.

References

• Bumblebee Linens: Making a Pillowcase Dress

Resources

• "Tip Junkie"; 18 Easy Sewing Patterns Using a Pillowcase; Laurie