Pillowcase Dress: Free Easy Pattern For Beginners!

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These pillowcase dresses are very FAST and very EASY to make!

They’re a great way to repurpose old pillowcases.

(Yes — they’re made from actual pillowcases!)

​If you’d prefer to watch me make these in a Youtube video, you may do so here!

This pillowcase dress pattern is the easiest way to sew a little dress, and is perfect for the beginner sewist.

A simple pillowcase dress is a great first dress to make!

There are no seam allowances to keep track of, no mastering the French seam — bias tape isn’t even required!

It’s a dress in its simplest form. The main dress piece is a pillowcase!

It’s the perfect beginner sewing project, wonderful for building up your new skill, and makes a great gift! 

If you want to sew along with me, be sure to check out the video I made for this project!

Let’s get right into how to turn pillow cases into sweet little dresses or nightgowns!

An important note before we begin:

Many people use ribbon or a fabric tie instead of elastic for this project to gather the neckline. I strongly encourage AGAINST this as I can’t bear the idea of having long ribbons around a child’s neck, especially if these are going to be used as sleepwear. The elastic I use is very, very cheap. I buy it in bulk, and the roll I currently have is the same roll I’ve been using for nearly a decade. (And I mean, I have a sewing blog, so that’s saying something!) You can find cheap bulk elastic for this project by using this link.

Sizing suggestions: 

For the smaller version of this dress, I cut 8″ long armholes, and cut two 7″ pieces of elastic.

For the larger version, I cut 10″ arm holes and cut two 9″ pieces of elastic.

When making these dresses for a very little girl, you’ll want to take off a little height so that she’s not tripping over her dress. Do this from the end of your pillow case that you’re cutting off anyway, NOT from the natural opening of the pillowcase, otherwise you’re just making extra work for yourself!

Virtually any old pillowcase will work for this project.

If you’re hoping to make this nightgown for a girl older than 9 or 10, it’s a good idea to look for a king size pillowcase instead of standard size pillowcases for this project.

Cut an opening at the top

First, you’ll want to cut an opening on the end of your pillowcase that is closed.

Just cut out the seam in a straight line.

If you want to shorten the length of this dress, now is the time to do so — just take away a little extra fabric on the top of your pillowcase.

Cut openings for arm holes

Next, cut openings right at the top for arm holes.

For an older child, I would suggest making a cut that is 10″ long.

For a younger child, I would suggest making an 8″ cut.

Use a zig-zag stitch on every raw edge of the fabric to help prevent fraying.

Hem the arm holes

Next, hem the arm holes. 

Create a gathered top with elastic

At the top of your dress, fold over the top of the dress about 1/2″ up to 1″ — just enough to pull 1/4″ width elastic through it.

Sew your seam towards the bottom of the fabric you have just folded over so that it makes a “tunnel” for your elastic to go through.

Attach a safety pin to the end of your elastic, and use it to guide your elastic through this “tunnel.”

Sew both ends of the elastic in place.

Repeat on the other side of your pillowcase.

(You will have two pieces of elastic to attach, one to the front of the dress, and one to the back of the dress.)

Sew the shoulders

Next, turn your pillow case inside out so that the right sides are together.

Sew about 1″ down the side edges so that you’ve created some shoulders on your dress. 

(OPTIONAL) Add extra length to the dress

If you want to add some length to your pillowcase, make a ruffle for the bottom of the dress.

Cut a rectangle about 2-3 times the width of the entire circular bottom of your pillow case (so, 4-6 times the width of you’re just measuring the bottom edge of your pillowcase while it’s lying down flat.

Hem each end of this long rectangle (the shorter ends).

Use a basting stitch to gather it to the same width as the pillowcase (making sure the width is what goes all the way around!), and sew in place.

(Also optional) Fancy-up your pillowcase!

Embellish the dress with lace, satin ribbon, whatever you wish! (just make sure there are no “dangly” ribbons on the dress! please make them safely!)

Happy Sewing!

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