Dress A Girl pleated pillowcase dress

LBG studio

When Vanessa first contacted me about her Dress a Girl Around the World sew along, I was so excited to participate. What a great charity-and browsing through the website made me so excited to sew up a dress (or two or three!) for a darling little girl somewhere!

So here’s my take on a pillowcase dress-with a pleated trim and sash. ๐Ÿ˜€

Sadie’s best little friend Rayne was kind enough to model it for some pics, and doesn’t she look so cute?

Alright, so let’s get to the pleated detail on the bottom of this pillowcase dress!

Click below for more!

First I cut two strips selvage to selvage, 6″ wide. I then sewed the short ends right sides together.
(I used my serger but obvs a sewing machine would do the job)
I then pressed the seams, and the whole band. Then I folded it in half lengthwise, with wrong sides in.
Starting at one of the seams, I used a ruler and marker to make a mark every 1 inch. I went about 12 inches at a time.
Then you make your pleats by bringing two of the marks together, pressing, and pinning. Like so!
Continue doing that…then when I got to the other seam I checked out how it was measuring up to my pillowcase. (which was 19″ across the bottom) It was matching up pretty well, so I kept going with that size of pleats.
I adjusted the size of the pleats here and there a bit to hide the side seams and make it fit the pillowcase…it’s not too noticeable I hope!
Once I finished I checked-perfect fit! Well, almost perfect. The pleats were a little wider than the pillowcase but I was able to ease it in while sewing.
Next, sew a basting stitch along the top where your pins are.
Then pin it to your pillowcase, right sides together of course, and sew that together! Finish that seam by serging or zig zag stitch.
I then finished my pillowcase dress using my Easy breezy tank tutorial. It really is easy!
It didn’t have a lot of shape (of course, it IS made from a pillowcase!), and I had extra fabric, so I made a quick sash by cutting strips of fabric 6″ wide and piecing them together.
I added a bit of ribbon detailing too, by sewing a wide piece of grosgrain ribbon to the end of the fabric…(right side)
Then ironed the seam flat and sewed it right sides together down the long side. Turn right side out, and press well.
A quick and easy tie with a cute accent!
Now this picture is more like Rayne’s personality. hehe!
Thanks Vanessa, for asking me to sew along for a great cause!

Comments

  1. Adoreable!!

  2. What a pretty girl! I love the pleats!

  3. so cute Jess, love the pleats!! ๐Ÿ™‚

  4. That is sew pretty!!!

  5. How did you figure the length etc. for the shoulder straps? The pleats are adorable!

  6. LOVE it. The ribbon on the end of the sash is adorable.

  7. Just a quick note to let you know that a link to this post will be placed on CraftCrave today [13 Mar 12:00am GMT]. Thanks, Maria

  8. Hi Jess,
    I made my dress last week and posted it off for dress a girl around the world – it’s a great cause and I found it through your site – thanks, and check mine out if you have time! http://www.sewpony.blogspot.com
    Suz

  9. Looks so super cute and great step by step I think even with my limited sewing skills I can pull this one off.

  10. How sweet!! I love it!!

  11. Just a quick note to let you know that a link to this post will be placed on CraftCrave today [13 Mar 11:00pm GMT]. Thanks, Maria

  12. Love the ruffle and the sash! I linked to your tutorial on Craft Gossip Sewing:
    http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-pillowcase-dress-with-pleated-ruffle-and-waist-sash/2011/03/13/

    –Anne

  13. That is seriously so stinkin cute!!

  14. Thanks so much for the tutorial. I popped out a cute dress that my 11 year old is wishing was her size! Thanks

    http://www.tootsquared.com

  15. oops, somehow that was my husbands account…Thanks so much for the tutorial. I popped out a cute dress that my 11 year old is wishing was her size! Thanks

  16. oh goodness, 3 times a charm. (hopefully you can delete the others) Thanks so much for the tutorial. I loved the dress and my 11 year old is wishing I could make her one in her size.
    Thanks

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