I was cleaning out our closets the other day and realized that we have about 50 pillowcases and only 5 sets of sheets... so, in an effort to organize and create space, I saved the 10 nicest ones and ended up with a thousand pillowcases on my bedroom floor. So, I saved space in the closet, but now, what to do with the bunches of pillowcases on my floor??? Enter: the pillowcase dress. I saw this a while ago, and hadn't really thought much about it, but, here is my version of a pillowcase dress.
Step 1: Pick out pillowcase, wash, iron wrinkles out. Determine length of pillowcase dress either by measuring your kiddo, or by using another dress of which you like the length. (I used another dress since Pea was in bed.) Add 1 inch to this measurement for seam allowance.
Step 2: Cut the pillowcase to the desired length. (Make sure to put the closed/sown end of the pillowcase in the scrap/throw away part).
Step 3: Create the arm holes by drawing a "J" on either side, using another dress for this process can help you make the correct size and angle. Cut out the J on both sides, through both pieces of the pillowcase.
Step 4: Turn pillowcase inside-out and iron down 1/2 inch at the top of the pillowcase. Fold fabric 1/2 inch again and iron. Sew the casing you have now created from one end to the other, leaving both ends open. Do this on both sides.
Step 5: Thread 6 inches of 1/2 inch elastic through each casing, careful to pin one end so that you don't lose the elastic in in the casing. Stretch and stitch the elastic on each end of the casing.
Step 6: Using the same method as the above casing, although a little smaller, create a casing on each of the arm holes. I ironed 1/4 inch down, folded, then ironed 1/2 inch down, then sewed as close to the edge of the casing as possible. Thread ribbon through the casing and cut to fit.
Voila! A pillowcase dress! This only took me about 30 minutes, and I don't think that it would take that long the next time. You can always use a plain pillowcase (mine had a ruffled edge) and decorate it with buttons, rick-rack, or ribbon. Super cheap! Super easy! Super cute!
3 comments:
Adorable dress! I am going to try it, thanks. I made my girls pillow case dresses using this pattern
http://epicureanstyle.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/05/retro-ruffle-pillowcase-dress-by-simply-modern-mom.html
It was super simple. Love the blog BTW, I can relate a lot!
-Andrea D
Oh yeah. my mom told me a long while ago about this woman-- she is in this program in which people make these pollow case dresses and send them to little girls in Africa. I thought it was a neat idea.
So impressive - if only I had a little girl to make this for!
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