I've chosen to make pillowcase dresses as my first dresses for Hopeful Threads April sew-along: making dresses in support of Dress A Girl Around the World.
Pillowcase dresses are SO easy to make, especially if you have a pillowcase to begin with. The dresses are basically a rectangle, with armholes cut out, casing for the elastic and bias for the armholes and straps.
I began with two, ever so cute, monkey pillowcases. Because I wanted to alter the position of the monkey, I cut a strip off the bottom and sewed it to the top. I varied the width of the strip for the two dresses.
Here's the finished dresses.
The third dress was also made from a preloved pillowcase. All green was too boring, so I added a little ruffle at the neckline and a band at the bottom to brighten it up. The band was once part of a curtain, and I've added orange ric rac.
For the first two dresses, I used store bought bias binding. I didn't have any bias in a suitable colour for the green dress, so I made my own from the original ruffle on the pillowcase.
As the name suggests, bias binding should be cut on the bias, to accomodate curves. I only had one very long rectangle from the ruffle on the pillowcase, so I thought I'd try cutting the binding not on the bias. I was lucky and it worked.
- Cut two pieces of fabric 2" in width by the length you need. I use the measurements from Dress A Girl Around the World.
- Fold in half lengthwise and press (make sure you keep your fingers away from the iron and the steam)
- Open out so you can see the crease
- Fold each half in to meet the crease and press
- Fold in half again and press
Not bad: three little dresses from three pillowcases and a strip of curtain. Thanks Mum, for finding the original items at the opportunity shop... a good find!
If you would like to join me making dresses in support of Dress A Girl Around the World, head on over to Hopeful Threads:
Kristy has lots of links to free pillowcase dress tutorials. If you are new to sewing, 402 Center Street Designs has a pillowcase dress tutorial written for the sewing novice. If using this tutorial, Dress A Girl Around the World gives more specific lengths for the bias binding used for the armholes and ties.
Kristy's goal for the month is: Let's sew 100 dresses together!
Kristy's goal for the month is: Let's sew 100 dresses together!
I am thrilled that six Threading My Way readers will be joining in with this very worthwhile project:
- Christie from Joyfoolery
- Kate from My Very Own Happy Ending
- Becky from Creatively Content
- Amy from A Home Made
Will you join us? Every dress makes a difference...
... Pam
Edited to add: Also joining in
- Mary from Ms Redo
- Ros from Sew Delicious
- Sherry from What I Made Today
- Cass from Cass Can Sew
- Heidi from Grizz 'n' Dove
- Tash from Little Ladybird
- Kate from My Very Own Happy Ending
- Annie from Peaches and Bees
I've based my dresses on the measurements from Dress A Girl Around the World.
Also, read the Dress making guidelines from Dress A Girl Around the World.
I am joining in - finally got my fat quarters last night, starting sewing this morning. Very excited about this project! Hugs ~ Mary
ReplyDeleteThose are smazing! I love those monkeys!!
ReplyDeleteThey are great!!!! Love what you make, also de refashion stuff!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful! Your dresses are beautiful and your support and enthusiasm for Dress A Girl is such a blessing! Thanks Pam!
ReplyDeleteOh I knew those monkeys would come up well and you haven't disappointed.. They are lovely!
ReplyDeleteI love the ruffle on the other dress as well!
Any little girl would be lucky to wear them!
I love your pillowcase dresses...the little girls who receive them will be so happy. :)
ReplyDeleteI wish I could join in but by the time I go back home, it will be almost the end of the month. :( May be I can join next time on the next project. This one really looks do-able for someone who has never sewn clothes before though. I'm really missing out on a great opportunity.
they're adorable. i like how you sewed the strips from the bottom onto the top for variety, thats a cool idea. the green is my favorite though, that curtain piece just gives it something extra. great job!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the monkeys!
ReplyDeleteThose dresses are adorable. Sure to make the little girls happy.
ReplyDeleteThese dresses are great! I love how you added the strip to the top of the pillowcase... it turns that dress from oh cute, to Oh Wow!!! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is sucha great project. I love the monkeys!
ReplyDeleteOh wow, these turned out so sweet. I love the monkeys. Okay, I have to get my courage up and give it a shot. :-)
ReplyDeleteI just love your Monkey dresses, they are so happy and fun!
ReplyDeleteLovely dresses, i did not read for which country those dresses are intended.There might be countries where girls need at least a short [if not longer] sleeves.
ReplyDeletemirjam
For countries where sleeves are needed, they put a t-shirt under the dress. I'm also sewing some t-shirt dresses.
DeleteBeautiful dresses!
ReplyDeletePam they are awesome. I love that vintage green floral from the old curtain!! I will have to join you I think! I'm have been a bit pressed for time - Lucy has been really unwell lately - but I think I can manage one dress! Either way I'll be sharing this over on my blog and facebook later in the week - see if we can get some more people to sew some dresses!
ReplyDeleteSuch cute dresses Pam - love the monkeys!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
Hope you have a fabulous week!
Jill @ Creating my way to Success
http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/
This looks so easy..maybe even a "non-sewer" like me can do it....gonna add it to my list of things to try! Thanks for linking up at Reasons To Skip The Housework! Our regular party, Tuesday Time Out - will be up and running tomorrow so come visit again!
ReplyDeleteSmiles,
Melanie
Reasons To Skip The Housework {The Blog}
Tinker B Boutique {The Shop}
{azparis@me.com}
Came here from Made by You Monday! Very nice! I especially love the blue with the flower border.
ReplyDeleteHere are the Easter dresses I made Bunny, her cousins, and her dolly.
http://likemamalikedaughter.blogspot.com/2012/04/keep-calm-and-craft-on.html
These turned out so cute! I look the light teal one! Can't wait to try it out!
ReplyDeleteRobin@ garagesalesrus.blogspot.com
The dresses look great I'm keen to give this ago
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see any dresses you make.
DeleteI've just put them up on my blog.
DeleteHi! I saw you link on Adventures of a DIY Mom. I love pillowcase dresses! They are so easy and cute! I've never heard of Dress A Girl Around The World. I'll have to look into it.
ReplyDeletehttp://sarahsworld-sarahsworld.blogspot.com/
Oh these are so sweet! Love the little monkey too. xo p.s. leaving a comment from my other blog today
ReplyDeleteI remember my mother made us dresses out of pillowcases but so sad my Mom was not as talented as you. I do love these especially the monkey. I am hopping over from homework:the inspiration board and am now following you on LInky Followers
ReplyDeleteWhat sweet little dresses and I love the way you added the band to the green one! Thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteQuilting at the River Linky Party Tuesday
Oh my goodness those are adorable! I love the monkeys!! I would love for you to share this (and any other creations) at "Pin It and Win It Wednesday" @ www.cheapcraftymama.com!
ReplyDeleteLove the monkeys! Thanks so much for linking up to Terrific Tuesdays.
ReplyDeleteRachel
adventuresofadiymom.blogspot.com
These are so cute!! Thanks for linking to Things I've Done Thursday!
ReplyDeleteThese are very cute indeed.
ReplyDeleteVery nice work!
ReplyDeleteThese are so cute! I will have to try this out! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAdorable-love the monkeys. I think this is such a great idea and I'm sending in 2 dresses myself.
ReplyDeleteI always LOVE your projects! Those monkeys are so stinkin' adorable! Thanks for sharing at oopsey daisy! Have a great week!
ReplyDeletethe cutest pillowcase dresses ever! thanks so much for sharing on craft schooling Sunday!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for linking this great post up to my Say G'Day Saturday Party.
ReplyDeleteI hope you will be able to join in and link up another fabulous post this weekend!
Best wishes,
Natasha in Oz
Darling dresses, I have been looking everywhere on line for a pattern to make a pillow case dress that ties in the front or back, can anyone help me locate a pattern.
ReplyDeletesincerely
dana seals
Thanks, Dana. I'm only aware of pillowcase dresses that tie at the shoulders...
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