Released June 23, 2009
by Judy Roberson
After many requests, here without further adieu is how the pillowcase dress came about & how to make it.
Pillowcase dresses are so easy to make, as well as being fun to wear. I originally got the idea from my mother, who is 80 years old. She told me, that they originated from when she was a child, since so many folks back then had a hard time clothing their children, they often just used what they had on hand due to shortages of supplies, funds and time.
One such instance is that of the pillowcase dress. People would cut the sewn ends off of their worn pillowcases, then cut arm holes, turn under, stitch and add strings, thus a pillowcase dress was made.
Today, the pillowcase dress has returned, but with many more options for us than there was in our parents day. You can still make them out of beautiful pillowcases or you can make them from purchased fabric, it’s your choice. If you use a pillowcase, you will be cutting the sewn end off.
My granddaughter loves Curious George. When I found this fabric, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it! A cute pillowcase dress for Callie.
Here are basic instructions for this simple dress using purchased 45″ wide fabric:
Step 1) Determine the size you need for your child by measuring from her collar bone to the knee (or whatever length you want the dress to be) this measurement is the length you will need to cut your fabric from 45″ wide fabric. Don’t forget to consider how deep you want your hem to be though.
Step 2) Right sides together, sew up the open side using a 5/8″ seam.
Step 3) Keeping fabric folded, you are now ready to cut out your arm holes, so at the top of the fabric, on each side, cut out a strip of fabric to form a backward L (in other words, from the top of the fold, cut in about 2″ and down about 7″. Once the armholes are cut out, clip the curves.
Step 4) Now cut 2 strips of fabric 2″ wide x 18″ long (this is to bind your armholes with). Around each arm hole, pin one of the 2″ strips of fabric to the armhole area (right sides together) and stitch together, clip curves again, double fold the raw edge of the strip over to the inside of the dress and sew, easing in as you approach curves. Congratulations! You’ve just finished binding your arm holes (note: you can use pre-packaged bias tape if you prefer, in place of making your own binding).
Step 5) Fold the top front down 2.5″ and stitch (this is going to be the front casing for the shoulder ties). Do the same on the top back to create the back casing for the shoulder ties. Now insert gross grain ribbon in the casings for the front and back (hint: you can attach a safety pin to one end of the ribbon to help you feed it into and through your casings).
Step 6) You’re now ready to hem your beautiful little pillowcase dress. Or you can take it one step further, as I did on this cute little Curious George dress. I added a matching yellow check border and topped that with red rick-rack. I then found a cute generic embroidery design from Designs by Sick from a set named Fruit”. I chose design no. 02 (bananas):
http://www.designsbysick.com/buydesigns/fruit
and then added the words Curious George above the banana design (we all know George has to have his bananas).
This adorable little pillowcase dress is so easy to make. It can be worn in the summer as a sun dress or in fall with a long sleeved t-shirt and leggings for another adorable look. So you see, our ancestors stretched their dollar and so can we.
Such a cute little dress. I think my mother (age 90) maybe would like one of these to sleep in. bring back old memories. thanks for sharing.
Comment by ABN — June 23, 2009 @ 6:02 am
Thanks so much for the simple dress option. Will try this out on my 2 year old great niece.
Comment by Rosalyn — June 23, 2009 @ 9:51 am
Little girls have been wearing these dresses to church for many years, and they were a big hit. Although my grands are teen, I plan to use the same directions to make tops for them. Luckily I have a grand niece and she will be getting a pillow case dress real soon. thanks
Comment by linda parker — June 23, 2009 @ 10:18 am
The dress is adorable thank you so much i have alot of fabric remenants that will work great for them and my cousins both have toddler girls Darla from Indiana
Comment by Darla — June 23, 2009 @ 10:28 am
Just wanted to thank you for the instuction on your pillow case dresses .I had saw them and made one for my GreatGrand daughter I embroidery on front of mine to match the ribbon that I used
Thanks Again
Comment by norma porter — June 23, 2009 @ 10:49 am
That is absolutley adorable! I’m headed to my sewing room right now to make my 2 little grandaughters one! Thanks for sharing!
Comment by Jan Battles — June 23, 2009 @ 10:57 am
What a delightful idea. Know a litttle girl who will love one of these! Where does all the spare time go;-)
Comment by Eileen weiblen — June 23, 2009 @ 11:04 am
So wonderful for my granddaughter; cute and easy!
Comment by Ruth — June 23, 2009 @ 11:06 am
Darling Dress!!
Comment by Clarice — June 23, 2009 @ 11:14 am
This is adorable…thank you for sharing!
Comment by MK — June 23, 2009 @ 11:23 am
Just love this little dress and little ones will love it too…sooo comfy…
Comment by Gail — June 23, 2009 @ 11:39 am
This is adorable, I can’t wait to try it
Comment by Sheila — June 23, 2009 @ 11:46 am
Thank-you sew much for this wonderful pattern. It was sew intersting learning about how mother’s saved money and using pillowcases.I know about making cutains from sheets.I once made a crochet bodice and attached it to a eyelet trim pillowcase for the skirt part. I love your ribbon and trim and the way you embellish the finish dress! Sandra
Comment by sandra — June 23, 2009 @ 12:05 pm
Cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good instructions, too. Now I just need a little girl to sew it for!
Comment by G'ma Pamela — June 23, 2009 @ 12:09 pm
Cute!!!!!!!!!!!! Good instructions, too.
Now I just need a little girl to sew it for!!
Comment by G'ma Pamela — June 23, 2009 @ 12:11 pm
The first explanation of a pillow case dress with clear pictures I could follow. As I am very new to sewing this looks like a project I can do…:)
Thank you for the explanation and work in putting it together.
Comment by Claudia in Alabama — June 23, 2009 @ 12:13 pm
Adorable!!! I should make one for my niece!! Great job!
Comment by Lisa — June 23, 2009 @ 12:44 pm
Thanks for a great news cap.I’m sew happy you responded on our desire for this little dress. I will be printing out the instructions. And as always your letters go into a special file i set up so I will always have your information handy.Thank Design By Sick Frances
Comment by Frances — June 23, 2009 @ 12:46 pm
Adorable. Would love to see Callie in the dress. Now I want to make one for my Ale.
Comment by Barbara — June 23, 2009 @ 12:50 pm
Too cute, great instructions. Going to try it for my granddaughter… Thanks a bunch for sharing.
The photos are a big help…
Comment by Jolene — June 23, 2009 @ 12:50 pm
Thank you so much for providing these instructions!! I can’t wait to make this for my baby daughter!
Comment by The Beaton Path — June 23, 2009 @ 12:52 pm
that dress is really cute . thank you for submitting it.
Comment by flora — June 23, 2009 @ 12:54 pm
This is so easy!!!Esp. using an odd pillowcase, or a vintage one… because the embroidery or trims are too lovely to throw away or not use…”ironing…ugh! Let the gathering ribbon loose for washing and ironing and you have a flat item.
Comment by ItsAKip — June 23, 2009 @ 12:59 pm
How simple is that? I have been wanting to make one for my 2 year old GD. Thanks for the info.
Comment by Gretchen — June 23, 2009 @ 1:11 pm
Your dresses are so cute. Thank you for taking the time to post the directions.
We can learn a lot from our parents.
Comment by Dorothy McCann — June 23, 2009 @ 1:33 pm
very pretty little dress but my grand daughters are too old now for the dress. I don’t remember ever having one of these myself, but I know Mama used to get flour sacks that were printed and would try to get the same design until she got enought to make us dresses.
Comment by Edna Tollison — June 23, 2009 @ 1:36 pm
this is so cute, I just love it, I think I will make one for my granddaughter this summer
Comment by mimi's needle and thread — June 23, 2009 @ 1:39 pm
Just precious…. how I wish I had a small one to make a dress for…my gran will be 21 this year..
Comment by sjwnana — June 23, 2009 @ 1:41 pm
That is absolutely adorable. I wish I had a grandaughter to sew that for, I have 4 grandboys. I use to sew my 2 girls dresses and different things all the time though. THANKS FOR SHARING, MAYBE I CAN FIND SOME LITTLE GIRL TO SEW THIS FOR!!!!
Comment by Jo Ann Lawrence — June 23, 2009 @ 1:50 pm
That is absolutely adorable. And it is so easy to make. I will definately keep these instructions. My niece has a baby girl and I would love to make one for her when she gets a little older.
Hugs, Patty
Comment by Patty L — June 23, 2009 @ 2:14 pm
Love the little dress and instructions are simple enough but a list of supplies would have helped. How many yards of 45″ fabric? How many inches of grograin ribbon? What size child will this dress fit? Thank-you
Comment by Mahala — June 23, 2009 @ 2:20 pm
This is so cute. I am going to make this for my granddaughter and embroider on it with her initials. Thanks so much.
Comment by Sandra — June 23, 2009 @ 3:04 pm
these are great for the missions. see
http://www.littledressesforafrica.com
Comment by Jean — June 23, 2009 @ 3:23 pm
Thank you so much for the great idea. The pillowcase dress is adorable and I can’t wait to make one for my granddaughter!
Comment by Patty Pascoe — June 23, 2009 @ 3:39 pm
Thanks so much for giving us the directions. This is such a cute project. Can’t wait to make one for my granddaughter. Loved hearing about the history of this style dress - thanks to your mom!
Comment by Marsha G, — June 23, 2009 @ 4:02 pm
Yea! Fabulous! My daughter just asked me to make pillowcase dresses for my granddaughters. What perfect timing. Thank you so much, Judy, for submitting this article. Your dress is darling. Many pillowcase dresses to come.
Comment by Irene — June 23, 2009 @ 4:05 pm
I have never herard of pillow case dresses but what a neat idea. The one you made is so cute, you sre did a great job!!!
Bre
Comment by Anonymous — June 23, 2009 @ 4:29 pm
thank you so much for the beautiful idea!! my great-granddaughters loves pillow-case dresses, and this gives me a whole set of new ways to make them!! thank you again
Comment by rosalen brown — June 23, 2009 @ 4:33 pm
very cute GRACE
Comment by GRACE — June 23, 2009 @ 5:03 pm
Such an easy way to make a lovely sun dress for a little girl and with the ribbon ties an added bit of bling, instead of the folded up hem I put a frill around the bottom, my granddaughter Zoe loves to dance and have her dress spin out and she likes to wear it all year round even in our snowey winter but with a skivvy underneath.
Great one
Comment by Christina Wilke — June 23, 2009 @ 5:41 pm
Cute! I love the fabric. My four year old would love one with the Disney princesses. Have to try that one
Comment by Sharlyn — June 23, 2009 @ 5:51 pm
Very Cute !!! Thanks for the instructions and pictures. I put this on my to do list for my Grandaughter.
Comment by Tina — June 23, 2009 @ 6:48 pm
Going to make this for my granddaughter right away. Love this idea.
Comment by Ardith — June 23, 2009 @ 7:08 pm
That dress is just adorable !! Thanks so much for the great instructions.
Dorothy
Comment by Dorothy — June 23, 2009 @ 7:22 pm
VERY CUTE
Comment by lynda byrd — June 23, 2009 @ 7:56 pm
How cute! I can’t wait to make this adorable dress for at least 3 of my granddaughters! Thanks for the great idea!
Comment by Paula — June 23, 2009 @ 8:33 pm
Thank you for sharing..will make these for our Charity Sew In.
Comment by Jan — June 23, 2009 @ 8:55 pm
Thank you so much for the instructions AND PICTURES! I have been hearing about these on many of my online groups. I think they are just adorable. I can hardly wait to make some for my grandaughte!
Comment by Shelia — June 23, 2009 @ 8:58 pm
That dress is soo cute. I have been wondering how to make one for a long time and here you are giving use directions and pictures. She will love this outfit. Thank you for the knowlege and pic.
Great job
Comment by Tanya — June 23, 2009 @ 8:59 pm
Judy, the dress is adorable. Thanks so much for the directions. I’m thinking it would even make a cute top for a grown up, I may try that (although I would probably need a little more fabric than a pillowcase). Patti
Comment by Patti Peterson — June 23, 2009 @ 9:31 pm
I have enjoyed reading and preparing to make the pillowcase dress - it looks so easy and adaptable too - my grand-daughter will enjoy wearing it - I am sure - I will let her choose the material from my stash.. many thanks
Comment by Marianne — June 23, 2009 @ 9:46 pm
Thanks bunches for the instructions for the pillowcase dress. What great fabric and design you chose!
I think it’s just adorable and I bet Callie loves what her grandmother made. Curious George is one of my favorites.
Comment by watermelon — June 23, 2009 @ 10:33 pm
This is the cutest little dress! I can’t wait to make some for my girls. Thanks for sharing this awesome design!
Comment by Tami — June 23, 2009 @ 10:34 pm
I love this idea for a cute, quick dress. Thanks for the instructions.
Comment by Donna Gatlin — June 24, 2009 @ 6:41 am
Hi, thankyou all so much for the wonderful commments, I appreciate it. Let me add the supply list for the lady who wanted them.
List:
1—45 in wide fabric X however many inches long you need it to be [measure your child from collarbone to knee or wherever you want it to come to] .Note this width of fabric will fit a child up to a size 10/12.
2—-Grossgrain ribbon for shoulder ties–2 1/2 yds
3—Ric rack for border–45inches [one prepackaged pack will do 2 dresses]
4- optional border fabric -1/4 yd of 45 inch wide fabric.
Hope this helps. Judy ROberson
Comment by Judy Roberson — June 24, 2009 @ 10:51 am
Thank you for this great article, Judy. The instructions are very clear and it seems like an easy project. My granddaughters are sure to love this. I can’t wait to get started. They are perfect for summer.
Comment by Juanita in Cozumel — June 24, 2009 @ 2:46 pm
Thanks for showing how to do that dress. With the heat and humidity here in Florida I’ll try one for myself to be at home or in the garden.
Thanks for all the good ideas.
Comment by Maria — June 24, 2009 @ 8:32 pm
Thanks Will try it My mom also made her dresses from flour sacks
Helen from Clarksville, TN
Comment by helen — June 24, 2009 @ 10:18 pm
Great idea… Will make one of these in terry for a bathing suit cover for my granddaughter. Perhaps my daughter would like one for herself in a larger version??
Comment by Marjorie — June 25, 2009 @ 9:03 am
My sweet daughter-in-law had ladies she worked with that wanted to dot his project to send to children in Africa. It turned out none of the gals new how to sew, therefore, they purchased all of the pillowcases and my dil made 21 of these one weekend!! I was so proud of her knowing how busy she is on weekends volunteering her time for archery for kids. It is a precious dress
Thanks so very much for sharing.
Comment by Melinda Cieslinski — June 25, 2009 @ 2:15 pm
Thanks so much good & easy summer project
Comment by Maria Soledad Pinto — June 27, 2009 @ 8:13 am
When Christmas times is here this is a good way for quick costume without the fitting — can be long or short. One year we wanted to have 10 little Christmas trees. Someone found tne lights that use small AAA batteries and the pillow cases were Green and we carefully draped the lights around the children.
Comment by B J. — July 1, 2009 @ 9:32 pm
I love this dress. But I really want to make one for myself. I have searched the web to no avail. Any help will be wonderful.
Comment by Sharon — July 25, 2009 @ 9:07 pm