Pillowcase Dress Tutorial

Pillowcase Dresses are so adorable and fun to make! Learn how to make one for your little girl, as gifts, or to sell with our tutorial by Sweet Mama J’s Boutique.

Hi Ribbon Retreat readers!! It’s me again, Ashley, from Sweet Mama J’s Boutique!

Come check out my new blog, Project Bazaar. Fun tutorials, recipes and great photos!!
I would love to see you stop by!

I am SO excited to share with you one of my FAVORITE items to make!
They are SO quick and easy and are just adorable as well!

Pillowcase Dress Tutorial

Let’s gather our supplies and get started!

I am making approximately a size 3T.

My little princess niece measured in with a 19 1/2″ chest and 21″ from neckline to shin.

Adjust your pillowcase dress as necessary for your princess.

I used:

3/4 yard Half Moon Modern – Ruby by Moda in Ruby Leaves
1/4 yard Half Moon Modern – Ruby by Moda in Ruby Novelty Writing
56″ Moonstitch Grosgrain Ribbon in Cranberry with White
So Fine! Superior Thread in Scarlet

I always start by prewashing my fabric.

Cut 2 rectangles of fabric.

I measured the 1st one out of the Ruby Novelty Writing at 5″ X 37″.

The 2nd rectangle measured at 19″ X 37″.

To get the measurements of your rectangles if you are making a different size:

Decide on how big you would like the contrasting band of color to be at the bottom, then add 1″ on the height. ( I wanted mine 4″ + 1″ = 5″) For the width, take the chest measurement and almost double it.

For the larger rectangle, take the neckline to shin measurement and subtract how big you WANT your band to be, then add 2″. (Measurement was 21″ – 4″ = 17″ + 2″ = 19″) Same width.

Fold both triangles in half with right sides together. Sew a 1/4″ seam right down the fold. This seam will balance out the seam on the other side.

Place your smaller rectangle on top of your larger rectangle with right sides together. Line up your middle seams and pin into place. Sew a 1/4″ seam along the edge where they meet up.

Zig-zag or serge your raw ends to prevent from fraying.

Press your seam down, towards the bottom of your fabric.

On the right side of the fabric stitch below the seam you just made, to hold the seam down on the back. Make sure you are close enough to the seam to hold it down.

You should now have 1 large rectangle.

Fold that in half along the seam you did before so the sides match up with right sides together. Pin in place. Sew a 1/4″ seam along that edge to make a wide tube. Zig-Zag or serge the raw edge to prevent from fraying. Press your seams down.

Make a hem on the bottom of your contrasting band by turning your tube inside out.

Fold over 1/4″ fabric and iron the fold. Continue all the way around.

Repeat, by folding your fabric again 1/4″ and ironing. Continue this all the way around.

Pin the double fold so it is straight and ready to sew. Sew down the hem. Press to lay flat.

Now you have what resembles a pillowcase with the top chopped off!! We’re getting really close.

Fold your tube in half.

To cut the armholes you will start at the top, outside corner (along the 2 seams.) I measured 2″ along the top and 5″ down along the side.

I marked those measurements with a pencil, and then cut a backwards J connecting them.

Open up your tube and starting with one armhole at a time, fold over 1/4″ and iron down. Repeat 1/4″ fold over, and iron down.

Pin into place.

Sew along armhole hem, approximately 1/4″ from the outside of the fabric. Press to lay flat.

Repeat with other armhole.

Now for the neck casing and the ribbon.

Starting with the front of the neck. Fold down fabric 1/4″, and iron. Just like on the hem.

Then fold over again leaving enough room for your ribbon to pass through. Pin into place. Sew the ribbon casing down.

There should now be a place for your ribbon to thread through for your straps.

Take your Moonstitch ribbon and heat seal the ends, to prevent from fraying.

Attach a safety pin to one end and thread it through your casing on the neckline. Repeat through the other casing continuing so you have one large loop of ribbon.

This is so your dress ties on only one side.

You did it! Enjoy!

For the coordinating hair clip I used:

7/8″ Moonstitch Grosgrain Ribbon in Cranberry
5/8″ Solid Grosgrain in Black
5/8″ Solid Sheer Ribbon in White
7/8″ Damask Ribbon in Black with White
3/8 Saddle Stitch Ribbon in Black with White

I used the Spikey Minnie Mouse Hair Clip Tutorial.

Thank you SO much to The Ribbon Retreat for letting me share this tutorial with you today!! I had a blast!

Thanks Ashley, as always, for the wonderful tutorial! Every little girl needs a pillowcase dress, and with how easy they are, she can get her wish!

Also check out the beautiful fabric selection that is available at The Ribbon Retreat.
Gorgeous fabrics from your favorite designers!

And finding matching ribbon is so easy with our huge selection!

If you have a fun blog and wonderful tutorials, we would love to have you on The Ribbon Retreat as a contributor! Check out our Project Submission Page for more details and to apply.

Have a great day! ~ Shirley, The Ribbon Retreat Blog Editor