A Pillowcase Dress is a perfect beginner sewing project! Learn how to sew a Pillowcase Dress with this free pattern & tutorial. The printable pdf pattern fits girl’s size 2 to 16.
What is a Pillowcase Dress?
When it comes to sewing, I really like projects that are quick, simple and cute. A Pillowcase Dress is an excellent example of a “quick and cute” type sewing project.
Pillowcase dresses are designed to be kind of a “one size fits all” type dress for little girls. The way the dresses are made (loose-fitting and gathered around the neckline), the dress will “grow” with the girl, eventually becoming more of a top than a dress.
This style of “dress” has actually been around for years and years. These little dresses are fast and simple to make and originally were a great way to recycle a set of pretty pillowcases when one of the sets was lost. You can easily make this dress with an old pillowcase, but the trend now is to make the pillowcase style dresses with bright pretty fabrics.
If you do use a pillowcase, the instructions are basically the same except the sides and bottom hem are already done! (You would just use the included bodice pattern to cut the armholes.)
A basic, one fabric, no-frills pillowcase dress, made with store-bought bias tape should take a beginning sewer no longer than a couple of hours to make.
I often refer to my style of sewing as “instant gratification sewing.” To me, there’s nothing better than spending no more than an hour or two at the sewing machine and creating something my little girl will love (and look super cute in, lol.)
I will say, I’ve learned (the hard way) to listen to her opinions and sew with fabrics she likes– nothing more disappointing that her refusing to wear something I made!
When I first got back into sewing, I remember being nervous about sewing without a pattern or having to make my own pattern. So, if you’re new to sewing or just picking it back up after many years, I know exactly how you feel!
Learn How to Make a Pillowcase Dress:
The good news is, for this tutorial, I’ve included a printable pillowcase dress pattern that you can download and print. This post includes step by step instructions on how to sew the pillowcase dress, with photos for you to follow.
Since Pillowcase dresses are designed to grow with the girl, the patterns tend to be “one-size-fits-all.” I wanted my pillowcase dress to fit a bit better, so I created three different pattern sizes: 2t to 5, 6 to 10 and 12 to 16.
See the version I just sewed for a 14 to 16 girl here and my adult version here.
Variations of this Pillowcase Dress Pattern
In this pillowcase dress tutorial, I’ll show you how to make a basic pillowcase dress with a ruffle bottom. At the end of the tutorial, I have included 5 simple options to “dress up” your pillowcase dress, including the contrasting top (which is what I did for these photos), a solid dress, solid with banded bottom and a different tie/strap option.
Fabric requirements (found in a chart on the tutorial page) will vary based on the style you choose and size. For a bigger girl, (dress size 6 and up,) you might wish to add width to your pillowcase dress, which will double the amount of fabric needed.
Notice how our size 6 dress is kind of narrow in width? I opted not to use extra fabric and could only make the skirt as wide as the fabric, which was about 42 inches. Don’t worry though, I’ve included a little chart along with the tutorial to help you determine how much fabric is needed.)
Products used and recommended in this pillowcase dress tutorial:
- My favorite shops fabric are Fabric.com, girl charlie and Stylish Fabrics. (My fave for knits is Funkalicious Fabrics.)
- My Sewing Machine: SINGER 9960 Quantum Stylist 600-Stitch Machine with Extension Table, Bonus Accessories and Hard Cover
- My Serger: Brother 1034D 3 or 4 Thread Serger my coverstitch: Janome Cover Pro 1000cpx
- Pinking Shears
- Rotary Cutter
- I love my large ruler and large cutting mat, but you may prefer to start of with a smaller Cutting set
- Dritz Dual Purpose Marking Pen
- Fray Check
- Wonder clips (I didn’t use these in the post, but they are just awesome!
Materials Needed to Sew a Pillowcase Dress with a Ruffle:
- Fabric (see chart below)
- Free Pillowcase Dress/Bodice Pattern
- 1 package of single fold bias tape that coordinates with your main fabric
- Scissors, ruler, iron and other basic sewing supplies
Fabric Chart for Pillowcase Dress Pattern
Size Chart for the Pillowcase Dress Pattern
Size Height Weight2t: 34 inches 283t: 36 inches 324: 39 inches 365: 42 inches 426: 47 inches 487: 51 inches 608: 53 inches 6610: 55 inches 7412: 57.5 inches 8414: 60 inches 9616: 62 inches 110
Tips/Pattern info:
- *** Important pattern printing tip*** When printing the pattern, do not print directly from Google docs. Download the pattern to your computer and open it in the free adobe reader program. Choose auto/portrait landscape and select “print actual size.” (If you use any other pdf printing program, I can’t guarantee your pattern will print to the correct size.)
- Seam allowances are 1/4 inch unless otherwise stated.
- The fabric chart includes 1/4 yard for fabric ties. For Faster assembly, you could use store-bought bias tape. (You need about 66 inches.)
Ready to make the Pillowcase Dress? Add the pattern to your cart here and then go here for the instructions.
Anne Weaver says
I love all the options for making the design your own! I've scheduled a link on Craft Gossip to go live tomorrow morning that links out to your tutorial.
leighlaurelstudios.com says
Finally! I've been searching around for a really good pillowcase dress pattern and tutorial and was just about to suck it up and devise one myself. And here it is in my Bloglovin' this morning. The variations are genius. Thank you! When I make one I'll put it on my blog (www.leighlaurelstudios.com) and of course link to you with all sorts of kind comments. 🙂
Cheers!
Karin
Cathy says
I love this dress – it is so versatile and so cute…. I have made these for my granddaughter and you just can't get too many of them with all thier design options… great tutorial….
Jamie says
Thanks, Cathy! Can't wait to see your version!
~Jamie
Robin says
What type of fabric do you use and if it is %100 cotton do you wash it first. I have quilted some but have never sewed any clothing and my 6 yr old granddaughter keeps asking when I am going to sew her a dress help please! Thanks R
Jamie Sanders says
Little girls are so sweet, If you get the fabric print right she’ll wear it all the time, lol! Cotton works fine for this pattern and do prewash it.
Life With The Crust Cut Off says
This looks awesome!!! We would love it if you would link up at our linky party Parrish @ Life with the Crust Cut Off
Linda Young says
So cute! Thanks for your clear instructions and my granddaughters will be happy to have a little dress or two! Your little models are very pretty and did a great job too!
Have a wonderful summer! Linda
A Thrifter in Disguise says
This is such a good idea. I love the ruffle. I'm totally going to do this! Your instructions and pics are amazing. Thanks so much! | Kristen
Theresa says
Hi Jamie, I love pillow case dresses. Yours turned out great. Visiting from DearCreatives.com Theresa Happy Summer
Marla says
Very cute! love the top with the leggings. My 5 year old has told me she no longer wants to wear pillowcase dresses…but maybe I could get her to wear one like that! 🙂
Faye Hadfield says
I love pillowcase dresses and I especially love yours with all the extra bits added in, a new dress every day! Fabulous! Thank you for sharing x
Rachel @ The Philosophers Wife says
Oh my gosh, this is fantastic! After our big move I will be making some of these for my daughter!
Heidi @ Happiness is Homemade says
These are fantastic! I might have to make a couple of these for my niece!
Jean Poylini says
What a lovely dress. Like it.
Lauren says
Thanks for this tutorial! I'm going to alter it a bit to have a ruffle on the neckline, but the rest of it is exactly what I was looking for! Glad your site came up in my google search 🙂
American Girl in Japan says
I am so thrilled that I found your site! Thank you for your tutorials. I'm making the chevron quilt now :). This pattern is just so cute for my daughter. Thanks again!
randi h says
A little bit of confusion here. When you take your ruler and measure the length of the dress, your cut out fabric shows it goes straight for about 6 inches and then angles outward. But the picture with the ruler shows that the dress is angled from the armhole. Could you clarify this please. Thanks so much.
Jamie says
Measure fom the bottom of the arm hole to get the correct measurement. But follow the shape of the bodice pattern and just angle the cut. The longer the dress, the more pronounced that angle will be. (My daughter is very tall) The design of a pillowcase dress is very flexible/forgiving so dont worry too much about it…
Good luck,
Jamie
ziemkes says
I had one question about attaching the contrasting band at the bottom. Are you to make a large circle as you show with the ruffle and then stitch it to the dress at the end? Or do you add the band one side at a time before sewing up the side seams? Thanks for your help!
ziemkes says
When you attach the contrasting band to the bottom of the dress, do you sew the ends together and attach at the end, as you do with the ruffle? Any help would be appreciated!
Jamie says
Hi, I attach the contrasting band to the main fabric before sewing the side seam. It makes it a bit easier this way. Let me know if you have any more questions.
~ Jamie
Carolyn Hueston says
What a great pattern! What size do you think I should make for a little girl about to turn 2? She lives overseas and I can't get measurements. Thanks!
Jamie says
Hi Carolyn, make the smallest size and use the approximate finished length measurements found in this chart:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-anuQarF1_sk/Uc3zc-hGaQI/AAAAAAAAQQg/vsNniI8BYfA/s1600/fabric+requirements.JPG
If you are adding a ruffle or contrasting band, don't forget to subtract out the height of the band/ruffle and add in seam allowances. (It always helps me to draw a little diagram. Good luck!
~Jamie
Richie Lou says
How much did you take off for the length of the shorter one, or do you have a pattern for the top/tunic length?
Kirsty says
Hi what material did you use?
Can you use poly cotton
Thanks
Jamie says
Definitely- almost any fabric will work with this style dress.
Veritable Lodge Southeast Alaska says
I used your tutorial to make a pillowcase princess dress for my daughter today. Thank you so much.
Christy Shields says
Im a little confused the width of fabric that would be what is across the dress soo 44″ across but folded in half so that would be 22 inches across is that correct 22 for the front 22 for the back? Now is that for a child whose age is 10 would that 22″ be wide enough?
Jamie says
The instructions state: “Fabric requirements will vary based on the style you choose and size. Â For a bigger girl, (dress size 6 and up,) you might wish to add width to your pillowcase dress, which will double the amount of fabric needed.
Notice how our size 6 dress is kind of narrow in width? Â I opted NOT to use extra fabric and could only make the skirt as wide as the fabric, which was about 42 inches.”
For a size 10 child, you will definitely want to double the amount of fabric used, so you can make a wider dress. This tutorial does not calculate the width for a size 10 dress. I found this pattern for sale on etsy that goes up to a girls size 14: http://tidd.ly/1d33879
Good luck!
Jamie says
At some point in time, I might redo this pattern to include larger sizes, but I have no plans to do this in the immediate future.
jantucker1958 says
Thank You so much this pattern looks fabulous. Can’t wait to try it.
charitywhite12 says
Thanks for the detailed instructions, I am going to give it a try.
Jamie says
You can do it!
Iris Hasis says
Thank you for sharing!!!
I maid it!!! So easy!!!
Jamie Sanders says
Yay! I love hearing that!
Doris says
I made these dresses for four of our granddaughters in no time at all using scraps in my closet! Simple and cute!
Debbie says
My Granddaughter and I are making this dress for her. I’m going to make the straight band at the bottom. Is that a 4″ wide cut by the length of the front and then another 4″ length for the back, sewn to the main part of the dress with a 1/4″ seam and then sew down the sides, joining the front and the back together. Is the bottom finish hem a double 1/4″ turn up ?
Thank You,
Debbie
Jamie Sanders says
Yes.
Margaret Van Zee says
Thank-you, I had made pillowcase dresses a couple years ago using your pattern, but needed to have refresher on the how. Pleasant surprise to find the larger size, just what I needed. I am making them to go with Christmas shoe-boxes to go for needy children. I do not know what country.