How to sew a Tiered Pillowcase Dress (tutorial includes a free printable pattern in sizes 2 to 8.)
Pillowcase dresses are one of my favorite patterns to sew. They’re just so quick and easy! (My favorite type of sewing project, lol.)
A bonus aspect of a pillowcase dress is since they’re designed to be fairly loose and are put together with a tie and casing, they can grow with your little one to go from a dress to a top as they get older!
Today’s post takes on the standard pillowcase dress pattern and will show you how to add a tiered skirt to a pillowcase-style bodice to take your pillowcase dress making skills up a notch!
Last Monday, the kids and I were in a rush to get out the door for an appointment. I was trying to get myself ready along with everyone else, so I sent my 6-year-old son upstairs and told him to pick out a pretty dress for his sister to wear.
I have to say, the kid did a great job.
He came back downstairs with one of my favorite dresses! A pretty little tiered dress that I had made for my missy this past Spring. I’d always loved the fabric combination used in it. Complementary shades of pinks, greens, and browns that looked amazing in a tiered dress pattern.
The dress had been hung up in her closet and she hadn’t worn it all summer. I slipped it over her head and we were off to our appointment!
I have a great stash of summery fabrics, so I decided I should make just one more tiered pillowcase dress.
And why not create a tutorial while I am sewing it up?
(**update 1 ** – I made an adorable patriotic tiered pillowcase dress for the 4th of July. See that one here.)
(**update 2 ** – I made the cutest little free Pillowcase Dress Pattern for girls, in sizes 2 to 8. I call it the “Polished Pillowcase Dress.” The tutorial includes even more options on how to customize a pillowcase dress.) You can see the full post about that dress here.
So without further ado:
How to make a Tiered Pillowcase-Style Dress:
The tutorial below includes tier measurements to fit a 2 to 8-year-old. If you want to make a slightly larger dress, just add an inch or so from each tier for a longer/shorter dress.
Other simple patterns for girls you might like to sew:
- Knit Ruffle Skirt Tutorial
- Free Peasant Dress Pattern
- Simple Knot Dress Pattern and tutorial (free bodice pattern, sizes 2 to 6)
- How to Make a Stretchy Headband (+ video tutorial)
- Free Apron Pattern 3 sizes (toddler/tween/adult)
Sewing Instructions for the Tiered Pillowcase Dress Tutorial
Materials needed:
- Pattern (free pillowcase bodice pattern here) (add the pattern to your cart and check out <its free> and navigate back to this tutorial)
- Fabric: (amount listed below is based on 42 inch wide fabric and will make up to a size 8 dress.)
- 1/4 yard for the bodice, 5/8 yard for the 2nd tier, 3/4 yard for the 3rd tier, 1/8 yard for the tie)
- +/-28 inches of coordinating single fold bias tape
- coordinating thread
- Basic sewing supplies (scissors, paper, pen, ruler, iron)
*** Update 7/7/13*** I have made the pillowcase bodice pattern even better and uploaded it for printing here: Pillowcase dress bodice pattern. The pattern is just the bodice – you have to lengthen it into a dress, but it comes in sizes 2 to 8.) Be sure and turn off all scaling when you print.
*** Important pattern printing tip*** When printing the patterns, do not print directly from Google docs. Download the pattern to your computer and open it in your adobe acrobat reader. Choose actual size and the auto portrait/landscape option. (The pattern prints slightly smaller on the chrome and apple version of the pdf reader.)
Step 1: Print bodice pattern and cut pattern pieces.
Print, cut out and assemble the pattern. (Ignore the contrasting fabric cut line on the printed pattern- that is for the polished pillowcase tutorial.)
Fold bodice fabric in half, put the long side on the fabric fold and cut 2 pieces for the bodice.
Cut the two tiers:
Middle tier: fold fabric in half fabric in half. The middle tier measurement is:
2/3: 13.5 inches wide by 7.5 inches tall. (Cut 2 on the fold, and when you open it, your fabric pieces will be 27 inches wide.)
4/5: 13.5 inches wide by 8.5 inches tall.
6: 13.5 inches wide by 9.5 inches tall.
7/8: 13.5 wide by 10.5 tall
Bottom tier, fold the fabric in half and cut 2 pieces:
2/3: 21 1/4 inches wide and 91/4 tall. (you will have 2 pieces 42.5 wide)
4/5: 21 1/4 inches wide and 10 1/4 tall.
6: 21 1/4 inches wide and 11 1/4 tall.
7/8: 21 1/4 inches wide and 12 1/4 tall.
Fabric ties:
Cut fabric pieces to 3.5 inches tall by 62 inches wide. Depending on your fabric width, you will probably have to sew 2 pieces together. (I had to piece together scraps for mine, so I sewed together 4 pieces to get the length I needed.)
Here is what you will have. (ties not shown)
Step 2: Assembling bodice and finishing armholes with bias tape:
Let’s start sewing…
Right sides together, sew up the side seams of the bodice. All seam allowances are 3/8 of an inch.
Finish the seams with your preferred method. (Pinking shears, serger, or zig zag stitch on your sewing machine.) Press the seams flat.
I like to finish my armholes with single fold bias tape, so I am going to show you how to use it.
Cut 2 pieces of single fold bias tape 13 1/2 inches long each. Turn fabric right side out and open bias tape up. Align the edge of the bias tape up with the edge of the armhole like this:
Pin securely.
Sew along the crease removing pins as you go. Do the same for the second armhole.
Fold bias tape over to the inside of the bodice, iron down and sew.
Step 3: Create the casing.
Trim away any uneven bias tape. Fold the top edge over 1/4 inch and press. Fold over one more inch and press again. Sew as close to the folded edge as you can, creating about a 1 inch casing. This is where the tie will go.
Step 4: Assemble and add tiers.
Sew the short sides of the 2nd tier together to make a circle and finish the seam edges. Do this for the 3rd tier as well. Press the seams.
Time to gather the tiers. Set your sewing machine to the longest stitch length. (Mine goes to 7.) Sew a straight stitch all the way around, 1/4 inch from the edge. Leave the ends loose, no backstitching. Do this on both tiers. Go ahead and move the stitch length back to the normal length.
To gather the tier pull on the top thread while holding the fabric, you should see the fabric start to gather up.
Gather the 2nd tier to approximately 16 inches. (That is how wide the bottom of the bodice is.)
Gather the 3rd tier to about 23 inches.
Hold the 2nd tier to the bottom of the bodice and make any adjustments in the width of the gather.
Then, right sides of the fabric together, match up the side seams and pin the gathered part of the 2nd tier to the bottom of the bodice.
When you are done it will look like this:
Place the gathered edge under your sewing foot and sew just to the left of the gathering stitch. (When I sew gathers, I usually leave my pins in, but if you opt to leave the pins in, take care as you are risking broken needles and pins.)
Remove the pins and finish the seams.
Repeat for the third tier, lining up the bottom of the 2nd tier to the gathered edge of the 3rd tier. This takes a while… sorry!
Step 5: Create the tie.
Fold the fabric in half lengthwise and iron.
Then open up and fold both edges to the middle crease and iron.
Then fold in half and iron again.
Sew along all the edges.
Step 6: Hem the bottom.
Fold the bottom edge over 1/4 inch and press, then fold over another 1/4 inch and press again. Pin if needed and sew along the edge.
Using a safety pin, pull the tie through the bodice casing.
Now sit back and admire your work!
It is even more satisfying to find a sweet little princess to model your outfit…
I hope you are inspired to make something pretty!
If you do create something based on this tutorial, I would love for you to share it on my facebook page or tag me on Instagram using #scatteredmompatterns!
Don't miss any more posts!
Bev says
Having a problem finding the bodice pattern for the Tiered Pillowcase Dress – HELP!!
Jamie Sanders says
Use the bodice from the polished pillowcase dress here.
Bev says
What is the brand of the fabric &/or where can I find it – Thanks so much!!
Jamie says
I agree, isn’t it pretty! Unfortunately it was just a bunch of random premium quilting cotton that I had picked up online back in 2010, 2011 and 2012. So I don’t have it anymore nor do I remember where it came from, sorry!
teen32966 says
I have two young granddaughters and want to attempt this pattern. Thanks for sharing :).
Jamie says
You’ll love it. The fabric pattern combos are endless and they’ll look so cute!
Bev says
Very cute dress & fabric combo – can’t wait to make it for my granddaughter!! Having an issue printing the bodice pattern – I see that the width of the bodice is 8-3/4″ – could you possibly let me know the height measurement – hoping to be able to sketch out the pattern myself!!
Thanks so much!!
Jamie says
The 6 to 10 is 9.25 inches.
pikcat says
Thank you so much for the detailed tutorial!! Right when I’m thinking about sewing a dress for my little cousin, this is perfect because I don’t live with her so I don’t know exactly her size.
Jamie says
good luck!
Mary Lou says
Still having trouble finding the bodice pattern. Google re-directs back to your website. Help!?
Jamie says
Oops, sorry about that. I did some moving around recently. I’ll update the link. (It should take you here to download the pillowcase dress/bodice pattern: https://www.scatteredthoughtsofacraftymom.com/2013/06/how-to-make-a-pillowcase-dress-free-pattern.html/2
~Jamie
scormeny says
I am just finishing up sewing one of these — your tutorial is great and I've shared it with several sewing friends. Thanks!
toby and the munchkin says
hi, when I click on the link for the pattern pdf, the pdf appears to be empty. can you help please? thank you 🙂
Jamie says
here is the link: https://www.scatteredthoughtsofacraftymom.com/2013/06/how-to-make-a-pillowcase-dress-free-pattern.html/2
Recovering Sociopath says
I love this dress.
Do you think if someone were lazy/pressed for time they might skip fiddling with bias tape and armholes and cut the top off an old shirt of suitable size and sew the tiers onto that? If so, would a knit (like a tshirt or tank top) work? I'm not sure about sewing woven fabric onto a knit.
Jamie says
You could definitely do that. Just be careful as the t-shirt will stretch a tiny bit as you are sewing. You could try ironing on a strip of interfacing or stabilizer to the inside/bottom of the tee before you attach the tiers. It will help the t-shirt hold it's shape.
Good luck,
Jamie
Recovering Sociopath says
Thank you! I'll give it a try and let you know how it goes.
Vernelle Nelson says
Such an adorable dress shouldn't be reserved for children alone. Why not make larger versions for her big sister and mom as well? This dress is ideal for those casual late summer outings. Use a heaver fabric and put a blouse underneath and it's a jumper that can be worn year round.
http://www.sewinginsight.com
Cynthia T. says
This is beautiful! However, I am having trouble getting to the Pillowcase dress bodice pattern and the Simple Shirred Sundress Tutorial with the links that you have provided. They go to a google page for storage.
Could you pleae email them to me at [email protected]?
Thank you!
Cynthia
ursulamargrit says
That is adorable, thank you for the tutorial! I was looking for a really cute pillow case dress for a granddaughter's birthday, and I've found it now!
Iolanda Lopes - Verdades e Carinho de Mãe says
Lindo vestido.
Puro capricho de mãe.
bjus
http://verdadesdemae.blogspot.com
Pamela says
i cant find the pattern? i clicked on the link but it took me to Goggle drive?? pls help. thanks!
Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom says
Hi, try this link: https://www.scatteredthoughtsofacraftymom.com/2013/06/how-to-make-a-pillowcase-dress-free-pattern.html/2
Sarah Dawneé says
Oh my goodness!
That is such a sweet dress! Once I get back to sewing again I may have to make one of those for a little girl I know. =)
Thanks for sharing!
* ROSITA * says
Adorei o tutorial, fácil e prático de fazer. Parabéns e obrigada por compartilhar.
Crystal says
LOVE this! The dress is adorable (as is the model:)) and this is a super easy-to-follow tutorial! Thank so much for linking this up to my weekend Soiree! Have a wonderful weekend! 🙂
Crystal
Homemaker in Heels
[email protected] says
Featuring YOU over on my blog today. 🙂 Feel free to drop by & grab a button. Thank you so much for linking up to my {wow me} wednesday link party last week. 🙂
Ginger
Lindsay says
This is so sweet! I made a few pillowcase dresses this summer, but never a tiered one. I love it!
By the way, I have having my first link party now, and would love to have you link this up to it.
Misty @Creative Itch says
Thanks for sharing @'Sew Cute Tuesday'!
Faith, Trust, and a Little Pixie Dust says
So sweet! And you did a great job on the tutorial too. Thanks for showing my readers by linking up to Fab Friday.
Warmly, Michelle
Andrea says
Adorable! And the dress too =) Come link up to Make It Wear It! TheTrainToCrazy.com
Janet says
LOVE this! Def. gonna try it, thanks!!!
Visiting from-
http://www.iheartmygluegun.com
Paige says
This is so cute! Thanks for the tutorial. I love making clothes for little girls.
[email protected] says
amazing!
xoxo
Amy says
I love the fabric combo that you used! I have made Pillowcase dresses, but never a tiered one. This is a great dress, thanks for sharing!
Gwen @ Gwenny Penny says
Really cute, Jamie! I love the fabric combo… the polka dots look fantastic sandwiched between the florals.
Julie says
AW!! SO PRETTY! I love the last picture of her twirling in it barefoot!! Just adorable! Thanks for these great instructions 🙂 I have 3 boys but I this would be so much fun to make for one of my nieces. I love how girly it is!!!
AmieAnn says
Soo adorable! And what an amazing tutorial.. hopefully helpful to me the sewing challenged! Hope you will share with my Pink Hippo party @
Christine @ craftygeordi.blogspot.com says
This is so adorable! I love those fabrics together.
Jill says
GORGEOUS dress! And such a lovely clear tutorial too!
Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
Hope you have a great week!
Jill @ Creating my way to Success
Katy says
How cute is this! I'm really wanting to learn to sew dresses, so I may have to try this!
Ladybird Ln says
Thanks for the tutorial, I just LOVE tiered dresses! The colors are so much, thanks for showing off!
LaVonne @ Long Wait says
Now that is a great dress! Thank you for the link. I am going to have to pin this one to my Crafts board on Pinterest.
I found you via another Pinterest hop you linked up to. Nice to "meet" you. I can't wait to peek around at other tutorials you have.
Stop by and say hi anytime. I also have a new Pinterest hop that I'd love if you linked up to.
Blessings!
LaVonne
Melissa says
So cute! She is precious! I need to find a little girl to make this for!
Whispering Pines says
That dress is so cute! I noticed that you wanted to get all your sewing posts under your sewing tab using labels. To do that:
1. Delete Pages
2. Move the "label gadgets"(which are currently on the sidebar) to the place where your "Pages" gadget used to be.
3.Click edit.
4. Click the button "Selected Labels" and then click the labels you want to show, such as "sewing".
5. Un-click "Display as Cloud." Click "Display as List."
6.Un Check "Show number of posts per label".
7. Enjoy your new tabs!
Angie says
Love the dress! (and the model is super cute…wink,wink) I found this on Whipperberry's link up, but I already follow your blog 🙂
Adrianne says
This is beautiful! What a great tutorial (and a lovely model)! I'd love for you to come link this up at my Freestyle Friday link party!
happyhourprojects.blogspot.com
Happy to be your newest follower ~ Adrianne
bec @ smallbirdie.com says
so cute! gorgeous colours! thanks for sharing!