A PILLOWCASE PERSPECTIVE

There are many different ways to make a pillowcase dress. However, I like to keep actual pillowcases for the bed! Unless of course, it’s a vintage pillowcase with very intricate embroidery or antique lace or tatting, then, and only then, would I consider using the real thing! I choose to purchase fabric and add my own decorative touches and create many different versions.
This style dress has been around forever it seems, and is very popular today. Not sure of the origin and if you are, please share, I would love to know! Something tells me the pillowcase dress was born of necessity, hence using real pillowcases, and may have been some of the first upcycling of children’s fashion. However, I wore something VERY similar in the 70’s I called a halter top. My mother had other words for it… In any case (no pun intended) I would like to share my “recipe” for a pillowcase dress. I sell these in my virtual boutique at Chigger Hill Cottage and I welcome you to stop by and have a look around!

*MY PERSONAL "RECIPE" FOR A PILLOWCASE DRESS*

(Pattern may be adjusted-Fabric measure for size 4 and under)

You will need: 1 Yard of fabric (45” wide) for the dress and bottom ruffle
½ Yard of contrasting fabric (45” wide) for ties, casing, and top ruffle
Template: Use an 8 ½” x 11 sheet of paper - refer to photo. Adjust for smaller or larger sizes at top of template, ¼” per size, and add or subtract length of dress body 2” per size. Example: If a size 3 is desired, lay the template ¼” off the top of the fabric instead of lining it up against the edge as shown, then subtract the measurement of the dress from 20” to 18”. Ruffles, ties, and casing measurements would stay the same.

Prepare: Pre-wash and dry fabric for best results. Lay fabric folded with selvages together and square up for straight, even cutting lines. All seams, unless otherwise suggested, are sewn with ¼” seam allowance.
*For Dress: -cut one piece 20”x 45”
Bottom Ruffle -cut two strips 6 ½ ” x 45”
*Contrasting Fabric:
Top Ruffle for bottom of dress -Cut two strips 4”x 45”
Ties -Cut two strips 3”x 45”
Casing -Cut one strip 3”x 45” (divide in two strips-3”x 22 ½”)
Body of Dress: 1) Using the 20” x 45” piece for the dress body section, right sides together, sew selvage edge forming the back seam. Press open, making sure that no unfinished print or commercial markings show through to right side of fabric. This will look like a giant “tube”. 2) Next, manipulate this “tube” so that the folds are on the outside edges and the back seam is centered. Mark these centers (top and bottom) for future reference. (I cut tiny notches or use a fabric marker for these reference points)
Armholes: Next fold "tube" in half, bringing outside folds together.
3)Place template against top of fabric, with armhole toward folds.
After marking template, cut out armholes.

4) Face or finish out armholes. I prefer a bias facing, but may be serged and topstitched.Ruffles: For the top and bottom ruffles, 5) stitch together at selvages, once again being careful to not let any commercial markings show through, marking centers with “reference points” to match to dress.
6) Hem ruffles with narrow hem for top and bottom ruffles (I use a hemming foot)
7) Gather and attach to dress using “reference points” to equally distribute fabric.
Casing: 8) Next, measure across the top of the dress from armhole to armhole adding 1”, then using the two 3”strips prepared for the casing, cut to this measurement.

9) Fold over ends ¼” twice and stitch down.
10) Fold these two pieces long ways in half forming casing and attach to top of dress,
then zig zag or serge for a finished look.
Ties: 11) Make two ties out of remaining 3” x 45” strips by folding over, right sides together, stitching 1/8” from edge leaving about a 1” opening in the middle to turn. Trim corners, turn right side out and press.
Finish: 12) Using a bodkin or large safety pin, pull ties through casing and adjust with even amounts showing out each end of casings. Tack in center to keep ties from slipping through.

And voila', you have a pillow case dress!

Please feel free to post comments, or if you have any questions regarding these instructions I will be happy to try and answer! I would love to see a picture of your intrepretation of a pillow case dress! Happy Sewing!