How to make a pillowcase dress

Hello, I've written some (hopefully) simple instructions for making the Dress a Girl Around the World pillowcase dress. Thanks very much everyone for getting involved and hope you enjoy doing a bit of sewing. I would love to see photos of any extra dresses you make.

Here goes:

1. Cut along the top of the pillowcase (where it is sewn together). This will be the top of the dress.
2. Measure the J-shaped armholes using the template (see link to website for templates below). Draw around template and cut armhole shape.
3. Cut dress to length (see chart below), allowing an extra 2 cms for hem. Iron over 1 cm hem, then another 1 cm hem to tuck in raw edges. Sew this hem in place.
4. Make casing at the top of the dress: Turn cut edge at top under 1 cm and iron. Now turn over another 3 cm and iron. Sew close to the edge.
5. Cut 2 pieces of elastic (see chart for length). Attach a safety pin to one end of elastic and thread through casing. Pin both ends of elastic in place and sew across each end of elastic and casing (do this a few times to secure it).
6. Cut bias-binding to length x 2 (see attached for length). Needs to be long enough for armholes and ties on the shoulders.
7. Fold bias binding in half lengthways - iron. Pin the bias-binding to both armhole edges, centring it lengthwise so there are equal amounts on each end for shoulder ties.
8. Sew the tape around armholes, starting at the end of the binding. Tuck in raw edges at the ends of the tape.
9. Tie your ties and dress is finished!

Chart for sizes (in cms)

Size (age)      Finished length         Folded width      Bias-binding length       Elastic length

Baby                     36-40                         40                           76                                 15

1-2                        44-48                         43                           89                                 15

3-4                        51-56                         45                           91                                 18

5-6                        59-64                         50                           91                                 18

7-8                        67-72                         55                           91                                 18

9-10                      74-77                         58                           91-100                          20

11                          79-84                         58                          101                                20

12-14                     87-89                        58                           101                               20

see 'sewdelightful.blogspot.co.uk' for more information and photos.

Happy sewing.

xx

Click here for templates for armholes