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Home » Free Sewing Patterns

Pillowcase Dress Pattern {Free PDF Printable}

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When you are a beginner sewer, one of the easiest dress patterns for girls to start with is a pillowcase dress pattern. There are no tricky zippers or buttons to worry about and you will be so proud of your achievement when you are finished. What better project to get you hooked on sewing?

pillowcase dress pattern
Pillowcase Dress Pattern

Contents

  • Pillowcase Dress Pattern and Tutorial
    • What is a Pillowcase Dress?
    • Pillowcase Dress Pattern - Options
    • Size Chart
    • Supplies for the Pillowcase Dress Pattern
    • How Much Fabric Do You Need for a Pillowcase Dress Pattern?
  • Pillowcase Dress Pattern - Download
  • Free Pillowcase Dress Pattern - The Video
  • How to Make a Pillowcase Dress - Cutting and Layout
  • Pillowcase Dress Pattern - Step by Step Instructions
    • Step 1 - Decorate the Front (Optional)
    • Step 2 - Sew the Side Seams
    • Step 3 - Sew the Armholes
    • Step 4 - Sew the Casings
    • Step 5 - Sew the Hems
    • Step 6 - Sew the Fabric Tie
    • Step 7 - Thread the Strap
    • Step 7: Stitch Strap
  • Pillowcase Dress Pattern - In Conclusion
  • More Free Patterns
  • Pillowcase Dress Pattern for Girls
    • Tools
    • Materials
    • Instructions

Pillowcase Dress Pattern and Tutorial

If you are a beginner sewer then a pillowcase dress pattern is a great way to showcase your favorite designer fabric and sew up a pretty dress for your little girl in record time.

What is a Pillowcase Dress?

A pillowcase dress is a type of dress that is loose and plain through the body and tied at the neck with a strap through a casing. They are popular for girls and were originally made with actual pillowcases.

So are you ready to start sewing your pillowcase dress pattern?

pillowcase dress pattern
Pillowcase Dress Pattern

Pillowcase Dress Pattern - Options

This free pillowcase dress pattern has 2 options. You can make this dress with or without the border at the bottom. The border is ideal for showcasing a contrast fabric or adding a trim into the seam like lace or ric-rac.

Size Chart

This downloadable pillowcase dress pattern has sizes 2 to 10 for girls.

Pillowcase Dress Pattern Chart
Pillowcase Dress Pattern Chart

Supplies for the Pillowcase Dress Pattern

  • FABRIC - The best fabric to use is light to medium weight woven fabric. Quilting fabrics and cotton fabrics are ideal and you can find a nice selection of designer prints.
  • LARGE SAFETY PIN - This is to thread the strap through the casing.
  • BAIS TAPE - ½ inch (12mm) wide single fold bias binding for under the arms.
  • OPTIONAL - lace to decorate.
  • SEWING SUPPLIES - Sewing machine, needle, thread, pins, measuring tape
  • CUTTING TOOLS - Scissors or rotary cutter and cutting mat.

How Much Fabric Do You Need for a Pillowcase Dress Pattern?

You will need 1 yard (0.90m) of fabric for view A which is plain. View B needs an additional ⅜ yard (0.35m) of a different fabric as a contrast for the border.

The fabric requirements provided are for 44-inch (112cm) wide fabric. You may need more if your fabric is narrower or if you have a fabric with a one-way design or a pattern that needs matching.  

Pillowcase Dress Pattern - Download

Download your pattern pieces from my website. Just add them to your cart. They are absolutely free so you won't need to add any credit card details unless you'd like to stock up on some of my other premium sewing patterns 🙂

>>>DOWNLOAD PILLOWCASE DRESS PATTERN

If you are new to downloading and printing pdf patterns, read my article on how to print PDF patterns.

Free Pillowcase Dress Pattern - The Video

If you are a visual learner then please check out my YouTube video below. It sometimes helps to watch how something is done first and then refer to the individual steps below.

If you've enjoyed this free pattern video tutorial and would like to see more like it then please share, subscribe and give it the thumbs up! I'm new to making videos so I hope you enjoy it.>>Subscribe to my youtube channel 

Pillowcase Dress Pattern Video Instructions

How to Make a Pillowcase Dress - Cutting and Layout

Before cutting your pieces of fabric, fold it lengthwise with the 2 selvages meeting as shown below. This way you are cutting through two layers of fabric. All seam allowances are included in the pattern pieces so there is no need to make any alterations.

This is how it will look when the pattern is pinned to your fabrics ready for cutting. Check you are cutting the correct hemline for view A or B.

Cutting Instructions for Pillowcase Dress Pattern
Cutting Instructions for Pillowcase Dress Pattern

Pillowcase Dress Pattern - Step by Step Instructions

Step 1 - Decorate the Front (Optional)

If you wish to decorate the front it may be easier to do it now. In my video, I decorated with the lace after the side seams were done but it is just as easy to do it now before you start. (read how to sew lace trim)

Other decorative ideas include sewing pockets, fabric yo yos or applique.

Add lace to the right side of the dress.

Embellishment for Pillowcase Dress Pattern
Embellishment for Pillowcase Dress Pattern

Step 2 - Sew the Side Seams

Put the FRONT and BACK with right sides together and straight stitch the side seams with a ½ inch seam allowance (12mm).

Finish the seams with either a serger or a zig-zag stitch. This will make your dress withstand lots of washing. Don't worry if you don't have a serger, here are 6 easy seam finishes without a serger.

DESIGN IDEA - Instead of plain seams, you could sew a French seam so that the raw edges are enclosed. This is best for thinner fabrics that fray.

Sew the Sides of the Pillowcase Dress Pattern
Sew the Sides of the Pillowcase Dress Pattern

Step 3 - Sew the Armholes

Finish each arm hole with your bias tape. If this is new to you and you'd like extra help read -  how to sew bias

Open up one pressed side of the bias binding. On the RIGHT side of the armhole, pin the open edge of the binding along the armhole raw edge.

Stitch in the crease of the bias about ¼ inch (6mm) from the raw edge.

DESIGN IDEA – If you wanted the bias to show on the outside of the finished dress, sew it to the wrong side in this step. You can see that I have done this for my black and pink sample. You could also use double fold bias which would show on both sides.

Armholes for Pillowcase Dress Pattern
Armholes for Pillowcase Dress Pattern

Bring the bias tape all the way to the wrong side so the seam is on the edge of the armhole. Press and pin carefully.

Top stitch around the edge of the bias tape close to the folded bottom edge.

Armholes for Pillowcase Dress Pattern
Armholes for Pillowcase Dress Pattern

Step 4 - Sew the Casings

With the dress the WRONG way out:

On both the FRONT and BACK of the top of the dress press over the top edge of the dress by ¼ inch (6mm).

Press over the casing again by 1 ¼ inch (3cm) and stitch close to the edge.

Casing for Pillowcase Dress Pattern
Casing for Pillowcase Dress Pattern

Step 5 - Sew the Hems

Now on to the hem at the bottom of the dress. You can create 2 styles of hem  - simple or with a border.

Simple Hem: On the wrong side of the dress, press up the bottom hem by ¼ inch (6mm) then ½ inch (12mm) again, and stitch across to form a double fold hem.

Hem for Pillowcase Dress Pattern
Hem for Pillowcase Dress Pattern

View B - Border Hem: Stitch your band pieces together at the side seams with the right sides together and a ½" (12mm) seam allowance. Fold the band so the wrong sides are together to form a tube.

Border for Pillowcase Dress Pattern
Border for Pillowcase Dress Pattern

Banded hem continued: With the dress, the RIGHT way out, match the raw edges of the band to the raw edges of the hem. Stitch across with a ½ inch (12mm) seam allowance. Finish the seam.

Border for Pillowcase Dress Pattern
Border for Pillowcase Dress Pattern

Fold the hem down and press the seam up towards the body of the dress. If it doesn't sit flat you can always topstitch the seam in place. In this black sample, I added a piece of lace over the seam to add a pretty twist.

Border for Pillowcase Dress Pattern
Border for Pillowcase Dress Pattern

Step 6 - Sew the Fabric Tie

Put the 2 strap pieces with RIGHT sides together. Stitch along one short side of the straps. Press open the seam.

With RIGHT sides together, fold the strap in half lengthways and stitch the sides and long edge of the bottom leaving a 2 inch (5cm) opening in the center.

Clip both the ends. Turn your strap the RIGHT side out and press well. Topstitch all the way around the strap close to the edge.

Strap for Pillowcase Dress Pattern
Strap for Pillowcase Dress Pattern


Step 7 - Thread the Strap

Thread the strap through the neck casing with a safety pin.

Gather in the front and back casings then tie a bow on one shoulder.

Strap for Pillowcase Dress Pattern
Strap for Pillowcase Dress Pattern

Step 7: Stitch Strap

Try the dress on your little girl and put a few hand or machine stitches to secure the strap and to prevent it from pulling out.

IMPORTANT - Make sure the strap is stitched in place, for the safety of young children. It should also be shortened if it is too long.

Pillowcase Dress Pattern - In Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed this free pillowcase dress pattern. Be proud of what you have made and share your photos with my Facebook group. Please also add your thoughts and comments below.

pillowcase dress pattern
Pillowcase Dress Pattern

Make your pillowcase dress pattern look professional by adding a DIY fabric label. Learn how to make your own clothing labels great for all crafts.

Shop for my premium girls dress patterns

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Pillowcase Dress Pattern

Pillowcase Dress Pattern for Girls

Get this free printable PDF pillowcase dress pattern for girls sizes 2 to 10.
5/5 - (22 votes)
Print Pin
Difficulty: Easy Beginner
Keyword: Sewing Patterns
Total Time: 1 hour

Tools

  • Sewing machine
  • Sewing Supplies Thread, pins, tape measure
  • Large Safety Pin

Materials

  • 1 Yard Light to Medium Weight Fabric
  • 2 Pieces ½" Wide Single Fold Bias Tape

Instructions

  • Step 1 - (Optional) Decorate the front of the dress with lace or ric-rac.
    Pillowcase Dress Pattern
  • Step 2 - Put the front and back with right sides together and stitch the side seams. Finish the seams with a zig-zag stitch or serger.
    Pillowcase Dress Pattern
  • Step 3 - Open the bias tape on one edge and pin it to the armhole on the right side. Stitch in the crease ¼" (6mm) from the edge. Press the bias tape to the inside and stitch the edge.
    Pillowcase Dress Pattern
  • Step 4 - On the wrong side, press over the top of the dress by ¼ inch (6mm) and then 1 ¼ inch (3cm) to form a casing. Stitch the bottom of the casing.
    Pillowcase Dress Pattern
  • Step 5 - On the wrong side, press the bottom hem by ¼ inch (6mm) then ½ inch (12mm) again. Stitch the hem.
  • Step 6 - Put the 2 strap pieces right sides together and stitch the short ends. Press open the seam. Fold the strap lengthwise with right sides together. Stitch the sides and bottom leaving a 2 inch (5cm) gap. Turn to the right side and topstitch.
    straps
  • Step 7 - Thread the strap through the casing.
    Pillowcase Dress Pattern
  • IMPORTANT - Stitch the strap at the ends of the casing so it cannot pull through.
5/5 - (22 votes)

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. carrie

    August 06, 2021 at 12:36 am

    thanks for your generosity.

  2. Katie Horton

    June 13, 2019 at 3:10 pm

    Dress turned out so cute! I used white eyelet fabric with a cotton lining and used a blue silk ribbon instead of making the fabric strap. My 7yo is chunkier so I made a size 12 and hemmed it up more just below the knee. perfect for our beach pictures! Thanks for a great pattern.

  3. treasurie

    June 17, 2017 at 9:40 pm

    Hi Irina, Thanks for all your comments. I hope you enjoyed the free pattern. The seam allowance for the whole pattern is 1/2" (12mm) - side seams and the band. If you are new to bias binding it can be a little daunting. Always just do a little practice on a scrap first. I've added a link to my detailed bias binding tutorial for the newbies and added the seam allowance for the band for clarification. There is a sizing chart in the printable pattern for double checking too. Thanks for your great suggestions to improve the instructions.

  4. treasurie

    June 17, 2017 at 9:40 pm

    Hi Irina, Thanks for all your comments. I hope you enjoyed the free pattern. The seam allowance for the whole pattern is 1/2" (12mm) - side seams and the band. If you are new to bias binding it can be a little daunting. Always just do a little practice on a scrap first. I've added a link to my detailed bias binding turtorial for the newbies and added the seam allowance for the band for clarification. There is a sizing chart in the printable pattern for double checking too. Thanks for your great suggestions to improve the instructions.

  5. irina

    June 17, 2017 at 8:48 am

    Hi there, i just wanted to ask re step 1
    Step 1: Put the FRONT and BACK with RIGHT sides together and stitch the side seams with a ½ inch (12mm) seam allowance.
    Why is there a 12 mm seam allowance? I did this and the dress turned out way too narrow. Shouldn't it have been 6 mm?

    Also with the hem it says: View B – Border Hem: Stitch your band pieces together at the side seams with right sides together. Fold the band so the wrong sides are together to form a tube.

    But it didn't say what the seam allowance was. I presumed it also was 12 mm but it was a bit confusing, I wasn't sure if it had to be 6 mm here or not.

    I did find this dress a lot trickier than some of your other dresses, the bias binding was very tricky for a novice. It looked a lot easier that it was, lol.

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