Pillowcase Dress Instructions
How to make a Pillowcase Dress - new and improved instructions!
So, I thought it was high time that I updated these instructions. Now, let me make it clear - people have been making dresses like these since forever and I certainly don’t claim these instructions as my own - in fact, many thanks go to Mama’s Doodles (whose “easy peasy” image I redrew for clarity) and Rostitchery (whose instructions I slightly modified) but I have presented them here because I know there are a lot of people looking for these online.
So without further ado…
The traditional method of making pillowcase dresses creates a drawstring casing around the child’s neck, which makes the dresses adjustable for a growing child. This method eliminates the drawstring casing which can be a choking hazard (using elastic instead) while preserving the adjustability of ties.
Start with one pillowcase, cleaned and pressed. You’ll also need 12″ of 1/2″ wide elastic, and one package of bias binding (you get this in the notions section of the fabric store–look for double fold binding tape) or 60” ribbon. You’ll need a couple of safety pins for threading your elastic. Extra rick rack or ribbon is required to decorate the lower edge of the dress (optional).
Full instructions are provided below but here is a quick summary diagram:
step 1 Measure your child from the shoulder to the desired length of the dress. measure this distance on your pillowcase from the open end, and cut straight across. this cut edge will be the top of the dress.
step 2 On each side of the pillowcase, at the cut edge, draw armscyes (that is the dressmaker term for armhole). The shape is like a letter “J” with the top of the J at the cut edge of the pillowcase. For a small child, it should be about 3″ deep, for a larger child make it 4″ deep.
step 3 Fold the two top edges 1/4″ to the inside and press (don’t worry about making it exact–just get close enough). fold down and press these edges again, this time 3/4″. Doing this double turn makes the finished edge neat. Stitch along the first fold, from one end to the other, forming a tunnel (this is known as a casing).
step 4 Cut your elastic into two 6″ pieces. Attach a safety pin to one end of one piece and use that to thread the elastic through one of the casings. As you thread the elastic, the casing will draw up, forming a stretchy neckline. You’ll need to pin the other end of the elastic when it gets to the casing so that it doesn’t come all the way out. Stitch across the open end of each casing to hold your elastic in place. Repeat with the other elastic and casing. stitch across the open end of each casing to hold your elastic in place.
step 5 You’re almost done! Cut two pieces of binding, each 28″ long. You’ll notice that the binding is folded lopsided–one side is wider than the other. This is to help make sure you get both sides stitched. Always stitch with the narrow side of the binding facing up and you can be sure you’re catching the back side as well.
Slip one armscye edge into the fold of one of the binding pieces, leaving about 10″ or so overhanging the top - these form the ties. Pin as much as you feel you need to in order to keep things neat. Beginning at one end of the binding, start stitching along the free edge, continuing all the way around the armscye and to the other end of the binding. Repeat for the other armscye.
Instead of the binding, you can fold a casing (as you did earlier in step 4) and thread a piece of narrow ribbon 28” long into each of the arm holes, tying into a bow at the top. Once the ribbon is threaded through, sew a couple of stitches at the side seam to keep the ribbon from being pulled all the way out.
step 6 Sew some ribbon or rick rack approx 3 ½ - 4” from the lower edge, catching the original envelope opening of the pillowcase so that it doesn’t catch when your child puts the dress/top on.
That’s it! The hem is already finished for you.
Now you just have to tie the ties to fit your child and admire your handiwork.
Related Posts
tags: brindabella, bwg, class, martha stewart, op shop, pillowcase, pillowcase dress, sewing, teaching, thrifting, tutorial, wardrobe refashion
[...] I’m not the first person to make a dress out of a pillowcase. I might just be the first to do it without ANY SEWING WHATSOEVER. [...]
Please tell me where I can get a pillowcase doll pattern. I can’t seem to find one. thank you
Hi there,
I was wondering what I could alter to make these for my adult girlfriends as Christmas gifts (They would be worn as nighties)?
Thanks!!!
Tawny Novosad’s last blog post..A game of Tag
[...] bare klippet og sydd litt på måfå, men har lært av beskrivelsene jeg har lest! Her er en topp, her er en versjon av den velkjente Pillowcase Dress, og her er enda [...]
cool! I like this villge stye little dress, it is so simple but still so stylish!and the cloth for it shouldn’t be expensive! that’s simply great thing for hot summer days !
it is so cute!!! you know I’m so amazed that I myself can make a dress like this without any special difficulties and abilities! that’s super! I like it
I love your tutorial! (And your entire blog for that matter!) Thank you for the detailed instructions! Can I link back to your post in my variation of the pillowcase tutorial? Thanks!
Stacey’s last blog post..Have you ever wondered?
[...] another variation of how the ribbon is around the neckline…or in the arm holes in this case. Pillowcase Dress Instructions - Red Instead BLOG [...]
great instructions.. sewing for dummies book look out! You everyone believe they can do it
So I make an adult version - would the armholes be maybe 6 inches?
I always have a problem where it’s too big…
joyce’s last blog post..shopping…hayes valley
Love these dress for little girls ! Linking you tues on my blog.
Thank you so much for the instructions.
You Rock!!
ginger’s last blog post..Slow White
[...] seen to get your imaginations going! maya*made upclose of her neckline version redinstead blog’s version baby chicks sells this cute [...]
I am so excited to make these for my little 10 month old Hazel. Another fun idea (I’ve been doing since high school) is using pillowcases as skirts for me. It’s so easy. All you do is cut the seam and use elastic. Of course you’ll have to fit a pillowcase but I love the skirts I’ve made. They’re really cute. It’s great that pillowcases come in such cool fabrics with patterns to die for. I love getting them from thrift stores. It’s great!! I love the ric rac on these. Too fun! Thanks for these cute ideas!!!!!
Rachael’s last blog post..thursday
I just made this dress, followed this pattern and another, guess I should have read this one better, having a slight problem with the armholes and ribbon casing! I can fix it, I’m sure, I can’t wait to make this again, I found some great old pillow cases with the old lace on them which will make a great decoration! By the way, I haven’t sewn in years, this will be easy for most. Thank you so much for sharing, I’ll pass this site along!
Had never heard of a pillowcase dress until here recently; so cute; Is this easy to make?
I was searching for Rostitchery’s and found yours. Why searching? Whilst shopping, a few of the big chains are selling these “tie-front dresses.”
They are pillow case dresses that tie in front!
Way easier to make for oneself and in prettier fabric! Thanks.
I have vintage pillowcases- I want to make a pillowcase dress for my granddaughter-Thanks. I love how the internet connects the world!! SBooth
Hi, I love your instructions, very clear and easy to follow! I made a pillowcase dress but had an awful time making a neat casing on either armscye…any tips for that? My problem was with the curves.
I made another pillowcase dress but this time used some of the leftover fabric cut off from the top to make seam tape/binding.
This looks like so much fun !!! I am a beginnger sower , if you could rate this project from 1- 10 what do you think it would be for me. I have had a sewing maching for 2 years now and only used it once. I think im afraid of it. hehe. But this looks like alot of fun and easy for the kids to learn as well !!!
[...] these sites and wanted to share. Children’s Boutique Sewing Patterns: Pillowcase Dress Patterns Pillowcase Dress Instructions ? Red Instead BLOG Pillow Case Dress Pattern - Pillowcase Dress Patterns for Girls - Sewing Pattern for Pillowcase [...]
[...] attention at some point during the afternoon. A huge thank you to Maya of mayamade and Jen of the Red Instead BLOG for letting us use their wonderful pillowcase dress [...]
Thank you so much for the great information. I want to give it a try for my two and three year old granddaughters. I am following your blog! Great info!
Lady Katherine’s last blog post..TOMATO CANNING CHOW CHOW
[...] Case Dress, And [...]
I certainly love the designs. Great stuff. Looks so cute. Thanks for the information. Cheers
I have just come across this blog and site, and I have a good giggle when I was this post, I thought I had seen every thing but this is a first making a dress from a pillow case what an idea who would have ever thought of this, clever extremely clever.
I think I am going to enjoy visiting here.
Great idea for little girls dresses. I have been sewing them almost nonstop for my 4 granddaughters. I have a few tips for binding the armholes: Make your own bias binding from an old sheet or pillowcase (See Matthew 9:16). Pin the binding from the center to the edges. Pin on the binding side, but sew with the dress side up. Clip v’s in the curves. Hope this helps those of you having trouble with those curves.
Great blog. I’ve really enjoyed it, particularly the ones on sewing. Jen, you are a very talented artist.
I’m currently working on a pillowcase dress for my daughter using your instructions. It’s turning out great!
I linked this tutorial in my latest blog entry at http://www.survivalmama.com
As these directions read, it seems that the binding tape will be visible. Am I reading them correctly? Thanks!
Thanks for posting these instructions…I found some pillowcases that my great grandmother had added crocheted ladies to and some that my mom and aunts had done stitching on…I can’t wait to make matching dresses for my daughter and niece from these family heirlooms!
I am having a baby girl due 01.01.10 and I am trying to penny pinch as much as I possibly can. I see the wonderful ability to create that you possess, and I am jealous, but more-so eager to learn. Would you take me under your wing? Just for a bit. I know you have a daughter that’s already under your wing, and many other important things to do, but I sincerely admire handmade pieces for children to wear, not only because of the originality and the satisfaction of saving money AND making my daughters own clothes, but because of the sentimental value of it all. If you can’t take me under your wing, at least know that I admire you and your craftiness (not geeky at all, PS), and that your page has been bookmarked. I am already starting on babygirl’s pillowcase dresses, she has four so far, but they are all for 3-6 months. I want to make a variety, in different sizes, and I live in a small town so I have hopes of selling these items at the local pharmacies and giftstores for reasonable prices once I become a master pillow-caser. :o) Thanks for listening and I’ll be keeping a watchful and curious eye on your site. Have you seen the little babygirl “bubble dresses”? I have some pictures of one, have no idea how to pattern it, and would love to know if your creative mind could figure it out. Email me if at all possible or if you’re interested in helping a young mother (okay so I’m 26, that’s still a little young) learn the ways of a crafty, foxy lady! :o)
[...] Jen at Red Instead Blog posted a pillowcase dress tutorial [...]
hi DeeAnne
Congratulations on your baby girl! I am glad to hear you are beginning to learn how to sew. You will find it a great skill for making kids clothes - remember, they won’t mind if they are not perfect! They won’t even notice but will just love that you are making things for them. I’m sorry but I’m really too busy to mentor you as such but I wish you all the success and best of luck!
Jen
The bias binding is visible, yes - use a contrasting colour for a great designer look!
Thanks a lot Paige - good luck with the sewing!
Great ideas Kay - there are many ways to do the same kind of thing.
I like your instructions. I didn’t have them when I tried my hand at making my own pillowcase dress. How do you like it?
I was wondering how to go about just using material to make a pillowe case dress.
OMG! This is absolutely adorable…what a great idea! I’m currently working on a pillowcase dress and also thinking of sending this idea out to my friends - in tough times, you can’t ask for much more than this for a cute, budget-friendly idea for a cute children’s dress. Thanks again for sharing this!
MERCIIIIIIIIIII
Thought you would like to know that your instructions have been provided to help a mission provide dresses for Haitian children. See http://haitirescuecenter.wordpress.com/. If you could pass the word to others that would be great.
Are we allowed to print this off for customers as long as we acknowlege you and your site? We would not sell it, but include with fabric purchase.
Sherry and Karen
Quilters Patch
What is the contact address for the lady getting the pillowcase dresses to Africa?
Thank you. Julie
I have seen lots of these style dresses and tops. I made one using cord, and did not care for it. I changed the straps and used the same material as the straps and I beleieve it turned out much better. Ribbons are nice to use for children, but adults and older people look better using something a little more sophisticated. Also, using seam binding for the straps might turn out interesting as well. Just a thought.