Today I’m excited to share with you a Pillowcase Dress tutorial that I created for BERNINA’s WeAllSew blog. This little dress would be PERFECT as an Easter dress, as it is quick to sew (I’m always leaving Easter sewing until the last minute) and can be easily customized.
If you’ve been a follower of this blog for a while you may remember that a few years ago I was on a pillowcase dress “kick”. I was stitching them up left and right because they were so easy to sew. (You can find a bunch of them in the archives, just type “pillowcase” into the search box on the right). It was my “go to” baby gift back in the day when my friends and I were having babies (that’s how you can tell you are getting older, no more baby shower invites *wink*).
Pillowcase Dress Tutorial:
At the time I did the “math” for each pillowcase dress as I made them, depending on who I was making it for and how old they were. When I sat down to make these dresses it occurred to me that a size chart for making pillowcase dresses would be very helpful!
I did the math and created this size chart for you to use when you sew a pillowcase dress. Also, did you know they are called pillowcase dresses because they are many times made from actual pillowcases?? That’s why the width of the fabric is the same for each size of the dress. It’s pretty common for people to make them from embroidered or vintage pillowcases.
Pillowcase Dress Size Chart:
You can find the FULL tutorial (with lots of “how to” photos) over at BERNINA’s WeAllSew.com blog!
I’m proud to be going on my 3rd year as a brand ambassador for BERNINA (I sew on a 770QE). As a part of my job as ambassador, I write articles for their website several times a year. This pillowcase dress tutorial kicks off my first article of 2016!!
HOP on over there and check it out!!
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Thank you so much for your beautiful patterns and ideas! I can’t wait to start sewing for my daughters! Quick question – how much material do you suggest for a size 8 dress? I’d really like to try and make a dress for my 8 year old, and am too new to sewing to know how much material to add to the size 5 measurements in your chart. Thanks so much!
Where may I buy the beautiful fabric please?
I love the tutorial and the size chart.
Watch this page: https://www.polkadotchair.com/fabric I keep it updated when I know vendors have the fabric!
Thank you so much for sharing the sizing chart. It is very helpful. I just wanted to ask a quick question for those who may be making these dresses to sell to others at local craft shows or online sites. Do you have a modified pattern that complies with the Federal government neck drawstring safety requirements mandated by the Consumer Products Safety Information Act for infants and childrens clothing? I love these dresses and have made many of them; however, I am hesitant to make more to sell with the drawstring style neckline as CPSIA considers these a choking hazard. Any ideas of help would be greatly appreciated.
My personal suggestion would be to fit the drawstring so the neckline is as you want it in the front and the back and then stitch it in place in several places. I would think with good stitching in several places that should accomplish the purpose. You could also draw the neckline up and stitch it in place when you have the gathers as you want them. Stitch that into place and the CUT IT. Then stitch your shoulder ribbons on separately from the neckline but of course in the appropriate locations.
Thank you so much for the tutorial on the Pillow Case Dress!! The size chart is of great help also.
Oh, I love this! And, thanks for the size chart which will make it easy to size it up as she grows! : )
Thanks so much for making a chart with all of the sizes. We are making these pillowcase dresses at our church to be sent to the Caribbean or some of the other places where the hurricanes hit and devastated the area. We did not have any measurements for little ones – so again, thank you so much. I love to sew and think these dresses are adorable.