how to make a pillowcase dress

Jen Leheny was kind enough to share with us her instructions on “How To
Make A Pillowcase Dress.” For me a pillowcase dress is the ultimate
re-purpose idea, turning something old into something new and functional.
These are so easy to make and you can really allow your creativity and
imagination free reign. I all ready have great ideas for next years
Christmas gifts (ex:doll clothes.)

alt text Start with one pillowcase, cleaned and pressed. You’ll also need 12″ of 1/2″ wide elastic, and one package of bias binding (you get this in the notions section of the fabric store–look for double fold binding tape) or 60” ribbon. You’ll need a couple of safety pins for threading your elastic. Extra rick rack or ribbon is required to decorate the lower edge of the dress (optional).

alt text Measure your child from the shoulder to the desired length of the dress. Measure this distance on your pillowcase from the open end, and cut straight across. This cut edge will be the top of the dress.
On each side of the pillowcase, at the cut edge, draw the armscyes or armholes. The shape is like a letter “J” with the top of the J at the cut edge of the pillowcase. For a small child, it should be about 3″ deep, for a larger child make it 4″ deep

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Fold the two top edges 1/4″ to the inside and press (don’t worry about making it exact–just get close enough). fold down and press these edges again, this time 3/4″. Doing this double turn makes the finished edge neat. Stitch along the first fold, from one end to the other, forming a tunnel (this is known as a casing).

Cut your elastic into two 6″ pieces. Attach a safety pin to one end of one piece and use that to thread the elastic through one of the casings. As you thread the elastic, the casing will draw up, forming a stretchy neckline. You’ll need to pin the other end of the elastic when it gets to the casing so that it doesn’t come all the way out. Stitch across the open end of each casing to hold your elastic in place. Repeat with the other elastic and casing. stitch across the open end of each casing to hold your elastic in place.

You’re almost done! Cut two pieces of binding, each 28″ long. You’ll notice that the binding is folded lopsided–one side is wider than the other. This is to help make sure you get both sides stitched. Always stitch with the narrow side of the binding facing up and you can be sure you’re catching the back side as well.

Slip one armscye edge into the fold of one of the binding pieces, leaving about 10″ or so overhanging the top - these form the ties. Pin as much as you feel you need to in order to keep things neat. Beginning at one end of the binding, start stitching along the free edge, continuing all the way around the armscye and to the other end of the binding. Repeat for the other armscye.

Instead of the binding, you can fold a casing as you did earlier and thread a piece of narrow ribbon 28” long into each of the arm holes, tying into a bow at the top. Once the ribbon is threaded through, sew a couple of stitches at the side seam to keep the ribbon from being pulled all the way out.

Sew some ribbon or rick rack approx 3 ½ - 4” from the lower edge, catching the original envelope opening of the pillowcase so that it doesn’t catch when your child puts the dress/top on.That’s it! The hem is already finished for you. Now you just have to tie the ties to fit your child and admire your handiwork.

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Also blogged at JenLeheny.com