Pillowcase Dress Tutorial
A dress made out of a pillowcase is perhaps one of the cutest type of children's clothing you can have your baby wear. Not only does it look cute, there are so many patterns, colors and textures to make gorgeous pillowcase dresses that you will be spoiled for choice. To top it all, a pillowcase dress is perhaps one of the easiest outfits you can make for your baby. So if you are guilty about being one of those moms who can't knit, do away with the guilt. You can make this simple pillowcase dress for your little one with this simple tutorial on making a pillowcase dress. Take a look at the steps mentioned below.
Easy Pillowcase Dress Tutorial
The art of sewing a pillowcase dress is extremely easy to master, and even an amateur can try making one. The process begins by first deciding on a suitable pillowcase dress pattern. More often than not, these are sleeveless dresses. Some may be without an arm strap and just ribbons on the arms to hold the dress together. Whatever be the pattern, there are some basic steps that need to be followed to stitch a pillowcase dress. Take a look.
Step 1: Start by choosing the type of print, texture and fabric of the pillowcase you want to use to make the dress. Ensure that the size of the pillowcase is considerably large. Pillowcase dresses are meant to be flowing and roomy, and the length of the dress can be altered based on your little one's measurements. The open end of the pillowcase will form the base of the dress and the closed portion will be used to cut out the arms and the neck of the dress.
Step 2: The next step in this baby pillowcase dress tutorial is to take the measurements of your baby's arms and the neck to cut the pillowcase appropriately. At the closed end of the pillowcase, cut a J shape out at each corner according to your baby's arm measurements. These will form the arm holes of the dress. Ensure that you keep a half inch margin that will be hemmed to finish the arm holes.
Step 3: Next, you are required to fold the pillowcase vertically, and again, at the same closed end, cut out the shape of the neck you desire for the dress. To measure the neck, first measure half the width, then the depth of the neck you want, and cut it out at the folded portion from the top. Keep a half inch margin that will be hemmed later on. Once you are done, you will find that the basic dress is ready.
Step 4: Hem the edges of the arm holes and the neckline. Give it an additional stitch to ensure that the edges are sewn properly. If you have cut the open end of the pillowcase to adjust the length for your little girl, then you will be required to hem this edge too. You may want to alter the width of your dress but don't alter it too much because it is meant to be baggy and flowing.
Tips to Enhance Pillowcase Dresses
While the aforementioned pillowcase dress instructions were basic, there are many ways in which you can enhance these pillowcase dresses. Some tips have been provided here:
- The pattern given above is the most basic pillowcase dress pattern. There are numerous other patterns you may want to try. For instance, the dress could be strapless with an elastic band holding it together at the top. The bottom edge could be irregular instead of straight. The shape of the neck could be different too. You could also have tie-on arm straps instead of regular arm holes.
- Be creative in terms of the print and fabric you choose for the dress. However, ensure that your daughter can wear fabrics such as satin or silk. Else, cotton is your best bet. However, in terms of print there is a lot of variety you can choose from. Go wild and pick out what you think will suit your baby the most.
- On the other hand, you may also choose a plain fabric and put motifs on it yourself. These motifs could be hand painted or embroidered or just stuck on. Choose from butterflies, flowers, animals, or cartoons.
- Add embellishments to the edges of the dress such as a strip of ribbon around the neck and armholes, lace at the bottom of the dress, or a line of embroidery at every edge. Use buttons as enhancements too.
