Gathered “Pillowcase” Dress

Gathered Pillowcase DressYou’ve conquered the OG “Pillowcase” Dress, what’s next? This slight variation adds an elastic neckline and belt, giving the dress a more-fitted, gathered bodice. The scrunchie version! My mama sent me this zany vintage food fabric and the girls went ga-ga over it. They have been begging for their “food dress” every day so I knew this needed to be a quickie.

Gathered Pillowcase DressThis is a great way to turn a couple yards into a cute frock. If you’ve mastered the pillowcase dress, this will be a cinch!These measurements are for a 3/4/5. Cut 2 rectangles 26″ wide x 22″ tall. Fold them in half together and cut the open side at an angle so that the top width is 10″ and the bottom is 13″ wide just like the pillowcase dress. Through all 4 layers, cut the curved armhole in a “J” approximately 2.5″ wide and 4″ tall.

Gathered Pillowcase Dress

Follow the instructions for the Pillowcase Dress to sew up the side seams and add single fold bias tape to the arm holes.
Gathered Pillowcase Dress

Cut 2 strips of coordinating fabric 3″ x 44″. This is Jenean Morrison’s Grand Hotel, Mezzanine Gold, The entire collection is gorgeous.

Gathered Pillowcase Dress

Sew the short ends of one strip together right-side-facing.

Find the center of the strip, opposite the seam, and pin it to the top edge of the dress neckline with right-sides-facing. Sew layers together along top edge of neckline with back stitches at start and finish to secure.

Center seam of strip on the center of the back side of dress and pin together with top edges aligned. Sew layers together along top edge of neckline with back stitches at start and finish to secure.
Gathered Pillowcase Dress

Wrap the strip of fabric up and around to encase the seam of the neckline Fold 1/4″ under and overlap the stitch line slightly.
Gathered Pillowcase Dress

Pin the strip closed all the way around, folding the edge under 1/4″ as you go. Leave 2″ at the inside of the back of the neck open.

Gathered Pillowcase Dress

Stitch in the ditch starting at the edge of the space on the back of the neck, make sure you are stitching through the fabric edge on the other side.
Gathered Pillowcase Dress

When you get to the strap, continue sewing very close to the edge to stitch through the 1/4 allowance.
Gathered Pillowcase Dress

Stop when you get all the way around to the opening at the back.

Cut a piece of elastic for the neck. Approximately 16″. Run a safety pin through one end and pull it through the neckline.

When the 2 ends meet at hole, sew them together with some good solid stitches and tuck inside.

Gathered Pillowcase Dress

Once again, tuck under the edge, place it below the previous stitch line and stitch in the ditch to close up the hole. Use forward and back stitches to secure. Trim unsightly threads.
Gathered Pillowcase Dress

At this point you have a pillowcase dress with an elastic neck. You could hem the dress and be done and it would be totally cute but I love how the belt gives this dress a totally different look.

Fold your second strip of fabric in 1/2, the long way right-side-facing. Sew along the long edge. Turn your fabric tube right side out.

Gathered Pillowcase Dress

Run elastic (the length of your child’s waist circumference) through the tube. We did 22″.Gathered Pillowcase Dress

When the elastic meets at the openings, sew the ends together securely.

Gathered Pillowcase Dress

Fold the end of the tube inside and tuck the other end in there.
Gathered Pillowcase Dress

Sew through all layers to secure.
Gathered Pillowcase Dress

Add the belt to the dress. We positioned our right under the armhole.

Gathered Pillowcase Dress

Pin in at least 4 places and stitch vertically through all layers of belt and the top layer of the dress fabric at those spots.

Gathered Pillowcase Dress

Hem the dress by either folding over twice and stitching all the way around, or serge the edge and then fold over 1-2″ and sew all the way around.

Gathered Pillowcase Dress
And that’s it! Pull out that fabric she has been begging for and make her a quick ‘lil dress!

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10 Comments

Federica

salve! E’ carinissima questa versione con elastico del pillow case dress! Penso proprio che la farò anch’io!! Grazie per le buone idee!!!
Federica!

Reply
jan

thanks so much!!! i have wanted to try and think of a different top finish besides ties……this is perfect and i don’t have to think!!!
i appreciate your sharing……..

Reply
Kelly F

I love a variation on a theme! This will add new umph to a simple style! Thanks!

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heather B

I love this, thank you for sharing! My girls love pillowcase dresses and this is great since it doesn’t require a grownup to do the bow.

Reply
Lori

could you tell me what the measurements might be for a girls size 14 or adult 0/2? i think this version would be great for “big girls” too.

Reply
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