Back to Basics - Pillowcase Shirts & Dresses

Next on the Back to Basics Sewing List is the ever so popular Pillowcase Dress and Shirt.

Pillowcase Dresses are truly fantastic for a few reasons.

Firstly, these things are perfect for beginner sewers. Simple, straight line sewing that yields fantastic results! And if you really are using a pillowcase - you don't even need to worry about hemming!

Secondly, these dresses take under 20 minutes to make once you get the hang of it. Short on time with a newborn in the house? Or worse, you have just been informed that you were 'chosen' to make all the little dresses for your daughter's dance recital which is *ahem* tomorrow?! Lol - pillowcase dress!

And lastly, these beauties last, and last, and last! Most things only fit your little girl for a Season before she grows out of it - but not so for a pillowcase dress! Make it for a 2 year old, and you will be surprised that at age 5 you are still pulling it out of the closet for long term wear - just as a shirt this time. Furthermore they span the Seasons, being worn by itself in the Summer, with a Cardi for Fall, or with a long sleeve shirt underneath it for Winter!

Could this be magic? Lol. I don't know, but what I do know is that whoever created this sewing miracle has my eternal gratitude.


Was there anything more fun than a punching balloons when you were a kid?


She was one happy camper :)


She even gave me her Project Runway pose...


Made with some remnant white eyelet fabric picked up from the clearance bin at our local fabric shop, this is the perfect top for Summer! I didn't bother to line it because I thought it could be used as a super cute swimsuit cover up, or as a regular shirt with one of her tank tops underneath! Heck - I would wear this top if it was big enough!!!

And of course Pinterest is a fantastic source for more beautiful Pillowcase inspirational pieces. Pinterest, oh Pinterest...how I love thee. Let me count the ways...

1. Double Layer Pillowcase Dress Tutorial by Aesthetic Nest, 2. Children's Bubble Top by Kate Emerson, 3. Pillowcase Dress Sewing Pattern by Little Lizard King, 4. Pillowcase Dresses by Oh So Lovely, 5. Polly Pillowcase Dress by A La Modish, 6. Pillowcase Dress Tutorial by Prudent Baby, 7. Tiered Pillowcase Dress Tutorial by The Polkadot Chair, 8. Fat Quarter Pillowcase Dress Tutorial by The Mother Huddle

Thanks so much for stopping by everyone, and until next time...

Happy Sewing! :)