How to Make a Pillowcase Dress
This article is for all those followers of alternative fashion out there, who believe in doing their own thing and think out of the box! Sewing your own clothes is a lot of fun. Rather than being a slave to designer labels, why not create your own fashion and sew your own clothes? That is, your own line of children's clothing. As your grandmother must have told you, that in their days women used to sew their own clothes often and that too quite well. Making pillowcase dresses for your own daughter, are just one of those little things that you can do on your own.
I am sure, what has set you on a quest of learning to make a pillowcase dress, is how cute little girls look in those dresses. Delicate as they are, these pillowcase dresses certainly suit them. I am sure your mom too sewed one for you in summer time. Cotton pillowcases suit the delicate skin of girls and they find them especially comfortable. Also the pillowcase size is just about right for their little sizes! Little girls love wearing pillowcase dresses as much as you will love making pillowcase dresses.
What Will You Need in Making Pillowcase Dresses?
Here are the things you will need to make your own pillowcase dress.
- Pillowcase (Obviously!)
- Measuring Tape
- Scissors
- Fabric Pen
- Sewing Machine
- Bias Tape
- 2 yard Long Ribbon
Okay then let's start with the procedure.
Step1: Get a Pillowcase
Take or buy a clean pillowcase. Pillowcases in various colors are available. Choose the one which you think will suit your kid. Fold it in half along the length such that the seams neat. Press it with a hot iron.
Step2: Measurements
Measure the height of your child from shoulder to the length you want the dress to fall. Measure the pillowcase too, from the closed end towards the open end. Cut the closed end across the fabric in as straight a line as possible, which makes the head end.
Step3: Armholes
Now it's time to start with some actual cutting of the pillowcase. Cut a 1.5 to 2 inch wide and 3-4 inch long armhole on both sides, at the top of the pillowcase fabric. Give it a curved shape and attach sew a pink lace along it later if you want. Using bias tape get the armhole seams hemmed.
Step4: Casing
Next step is sewing a case using the bias tape. Make one in the front and one in the back. Put a ribbon through both the openings of the casing and tie it. The ribbons hold the dress together at the top! With that done, the pillowcase dress for your little darling is ready. She will certainly love it. You can embroider designs on it if you want. These pillowcase dresses are best to wear in summertime as they are airy and comfortable!
With a little bit of improvisation and observation, you could add a lot more to the dress!
