Pillowcase Dress

I absolutely love making pretty dresses for my Granddaughter. I found a beautiful embroidered pillowcase at a local antique shop. I paid less than $5 for it. This project didn't take very long at all! It's the perfect Summer dress for a little girl. My Granddaughter is 4 years old, but you can adjust this to fit any little girl age 2 to 5.

You will need an embroidered or otherwise embellished pillowcase, sewing machine, scissors, thread, measuring tape, straight pins, 1-2/3 yards (60 inches) double-sided satin ribbon and a large safety pin.

I measured 16" from the bottom of the dress to the underarm. I added another 5" above that so I cut it at 21". Cut about 2" in at the top for the armholes and the cut a curve for the neckline. If you want to make a pillowcase dress that is a little smaller or larger, adjust accordingly.

Using part of the fabric that you cut off the top of the pillowcase, cut 2" wide bias strips. Sew them together to make one long strip, about 28". Press seams open. Place the right side of the bias strip to the right side of one of the arm holes. Sew with 1/4" seam allowance. Turn fabric strip to the inside and turn under. Sew again, topstitching and securing in place. Repeat with other arm hole facing.

Using what is left of the fabric that you cut off the top. Cut a 3" wide facing for the front and back neckline casing, using the curved neckline itself as the pattern. place right sides together and sew to front and back. Turn over to the inside, topstitch at the top of dress. turn under the bottom of facing 1/4". Pin. Sew bottom of facing, front and back. Leave the sides of facing open for the ribbon.

Place a large safety pin on the end of the ribbon and thread it through the casing, tying it in a bow on one shoulder. I was surprised at how easy this sewing project was to make. My Granddaughter loved her new dress and wanted to try it on as soon as she saw it.