Pillowcase Dress - how I did it

There are instructions out there from more experienced sewers than I. I include the photos mainly for my own purposes, to show off to family that I DID do it all by myself, an maybe also to show other newbies that they can do it too.

First, compile your materials:

Okay, it's missing the elastic and the thread. But that's it - an old pillowcase and two straps that came from a pair of pants and matching skirt. I'll use those for shoulder straps and trim.

Then, measure your child from shoulder to knee, or wherever you want the dress to fall. Add an inch or so. Cut off the closed end of your pillowcase leaving your dress length left. I am not explaining this well. The open end of the pillowcase will be the bottom of your dress.

Cut arm holes from the cut end and fold over the neck line twice - once a quarter inch, then again a full inch or so. This hides the rough edge and forms a casing for the elastic.

I really did the arm holes way too big, but I mostly guessed and there is plenty of room to grow.

I'm missing some photos from the process, but I believe I fed through 6.5 inches of elastic in the casing and sewed down both ends. Then, I spent forever trying to figure out how to sew a casing on the arm holes. I could have used bias tape but I didn't have any, and ironing sucks so I wasn't going to make some. Eventually, I decided to try a rolled hem.

And I did it! Both sides.

Now, when your toddler wakes from her nap, give her some pencil crayons and flip your cardboard measuring board thingy over and let her have at it. You can use those pencil crayons later.


Don't forget her brother:


Now, most people use long ribbons and bows for the straps, but that seemed like it was just asking for a certain toddler to constantly pull the bows out and strip naked so I decided fixed straps were a better choice. I wanted to leave some excess in case I wanted to make them bigger later.


Then I noticed some worn holes at the hem, so I attached the rest of the brown straps all the way around the hem.


And I was done! Except then I tried it on the kid.

Obviously too big. So I shortened them up and created a loop at the front. They're still fastened with hidden safety pins and I might leave it that way - easier to let out some length later.

Et voila!