Pillow Case Dresses

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My girls love wearing dresses.

My girls love wearing matching dresses.

I love it when my girls wear matching  dresses.

I don't like paying for matching dresses.

Pillowcases to the rescue!

Pillowcase dresses have been around forever and I've looked at countless ways to make them.  This is my version of the classic - it's simple....and easy!

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MATERIALS

Standard pillow case

Ribbon (optional)

Sewing machine

STEPS

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Fold the pillowcase in half lengthwise, with the opening at the bottom.  Decide how long you want the dress. Measure from your daughter's clavicle to where you want the hem to hit, add 2" and mark the fabric.  Cut across the fabric at this measurement.

Measure from her clavicle to where the underarm of the dress should be, add two inches, mark it on the fabric and cut it out in the shape of a J.

Starting at the lower corner of the pillow case cut a slight taper up the case until you reach the bottom of the J, this will add some shape to the dress.

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Unfold the two dress halves.

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Add a 1/4" hem to both of the J's

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F0ld over 2" of the top and run a seam along the edge to create a pocket.  Repeat on the other half. Lay the two halves right sides together and sew a seam from the bottom edge up to the under arm.  Turn right side out.

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Take a length of ribbon and slide it through both pockets. I cheat and tape it to a popsicle stick to make threading easier.  If you don't want to use ribbon, use the scrap from the pillowcase to create your own matching ribbon.

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Gather the neck of the dress, tie the ribbon into a bow and trim the excess ribbon.

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From here you can either be done or add some embellishments.  Little felt pockets, ric-rac trim around the bottom, or, as Margot likes, a gross grain ribbon belt.

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