Basic Instructions to make pillowcase dress:
Step 1: Fold pillowcase in half lengthwise.
Step 2: Slice off the sewn-closed end of the pillowcase- leave the open end as that will be the hem of the dress.
Step 3: With dress still folded in half, find two corners of recently cut top & cut a curve off approximately 3” in and 4-5” down to form armholes.
Step 4: Serge raw edges all around top/armholes.
Two options from here...(1) Ribbon through casing for ties or use (2) Double bias tape for ties... (easiest to work with dress inside out now for both options)
Option 1: Ribbon through casing...
Step 5: Turn armhole edges in to wrong side of fabric and pin in place.
Step 6: Sew close to edge of armholes to hold fold over in place.
Step 7: Turn inside out & iron a casing down approximately 1/2”-1” on both the front & back top of dress.
Step 8: Sew bottom edge of casing to create a place in which to pass ribbon.
Step 9: Cut 2 pieces of ribbon approximately 36” each.
Step 10: Using threader, feed ribbon into each casing on front & back of dress.
Step 11: Center ribbons on dress front & back & gather to about 7” wide.
Step 12: Pin ends of casing to hold ribbon still and tack in place. DONE!
Option 2: Double bias tape for ties...
Step 5: Turn inside out and iron a casing down approximately 1/2”-1” on both the front and back top of dress.
Step 6: Sew bottom edge of casing to create a place in which to encase elastic.
Step 7: Using threader, feed 7.5” piece of elastic into each casing on front & back of dress-pin in place on each end making sure elastic lays flat inside casing.
step 8: Tack ends of elastic in place on each end of casing.
Step 9: Cut 2 pieces of double bias tape approximately 36” each.
Step 10: Fold one piece of bias tape in half to find center.
Step 11: Find wrong side of bias tape-will be slightly shorter than right side- and pin to wrong side on armhole starting at the center of tape and armhole. (Bias tape folds over the fabric encasing raw edges.) Pin to each side of armhole.
Step 12: Stitch on wrong side of bias tape from one end of tape to other near open ends. Repeat on 2nd armhole. DONE!
