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4.22.2010

The Arlington Dress

This post is part of a month long series called 'Pattern Makeover Month.' I took a simple a-line, peasant dress and 'made-it-over' into many different styles. For more information, go here.


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Do any of you have a Grandmother that was like mine and created AMAZING things
BY HAND?!?!
How did they have time for those fabulous hand embroidery pieces? But regardless of how they did it, I can't get enough of those hankies, doilies and embroidered pillowcases. And instead of just letting them fill up my already stuffed full studio, I figured they might as well be repurposed into something useful. And what is more useful than a dress for K3?




Okay, I know she is my baby and all, so I am a little biased, but isn't she just the cutest thing you have ever seen? Her hair is starting to get darker and OH how I am going to miss her white-blond hair!!!





Sorry. Don't know where that came from. Back to the tutorial. Pillowcases vary in size somewhat, but you probably won't find one big enough to make a dress in a size 5T. Of course you can always make a shirt. . . ;0)



When cutting out, do not use the curved bottom line of the pattern if you want to use the decorative edge on the pillowcase. Just cut the sideseam, connecting to the bottom edge of your pillowcase. Depending on the size of your dress, you may not have enough fabric to make the sleeves from the pillowcase. I found a vintage sheet that went really well with the embroidered pillowcase and used that for the sleeves. Otherwise, complete the pattern as directed.



This is another thrifty little dress! The pillowcase cost $1, with a few cents for the portion of thrifted sheet used, pattern cost (divided by number of times used) and a little elastic-- not more than a $2 dress!
Not bad.


(all the good ones are!)


giveaways

36 comments:

Jenny said...

ive done a skirt by way of pillowcase, but not a dress. tahnks for the ideas.

Needled Mom said...

I can remember my mother making these dresses for my baby sister. Very sweet.

Beth Lemon said...

Of course I want to win. I love that shop. My SIL made my daughter the capelet from their crocheted pattern for Christmas. It's amazing.

Beth said...

What a great alternative to the usual pillowcase dress. I love it!

Angela C. said...

She's adorable! Thanks for the great ideas!

mel said...

Oh my. That is just too cute!

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Too cute - first the model and then the dress!!

Simone de Klerk said...

adorable!

Mellissa said...

perfectly lovely! What a sweet little model, too. :)

Peggy said...

Oh my goodness she is so sweet! Ummm, I really need to get over to Leila and Ben's for some patterns. I've been picking vintage twin sheet sets for $2 at yard sales to make dresses for the daughters of some friends. (being a mom to 3 boys, girl's dress patterns aren't a common staple here, ha ha!!)

Jessica said...

Great idea! I love pillow cse dresses, but I've neve "loved" the drawsting business at the top. Thank for this alternative.

Jamie said...

So pretty... I never seem to find pillow cases like this!

Amy said...

So cute! I have a pillowcase that would work perfectly for this. Great!

Michelle, Queen Behind the Lens! said...

Me again. ;) Sweet, sweet dress.

stacey said...

Oh I love the fabric used to make the sleeves - SO sweet!

Megan said...

This dress is absolutely adorable!!

this is love said...

How very cute, and a fun way to mix up the traditional pillow case dress.

Tara Celeste said...

just found your blog through sew, mama, sew... i love your quilts!

Jess said...

I have been wanting to make a pillowcase dress for so long and these pictures make me determined!- Jessica Martin

Lacey said...

I think is adorable as well!

Emily said...

Aaah, I need some little girls to sew for! These dresses are turning out cuter by the day. sorainima@gmail.com

Vickie said...

"Sweet" Dress!

Fran said...

The dress is beautiful !
( & so is the model ! )
Just found your blog via
SewMamaSew...what a
great find !

Barbara York said...

What a little cutie, my grandson had that same soft white hair. I sure wish I could win the pattern cause I love how you made that dress.

Jane said...

how gorgeous! I have two nieces who I am just as biased about and would love to sew them one of these fabulous dresses!

Tringali Family said...

Super cute!

Heather said...

I have too many vintage pillowcases to even count, and this would be a lovely way to use them!

Natalie said...

My son's hair would darken up a bit through the Winter, then Summer would come and it would be white blonde again, if that gives you any hope lol. She is adorable and so is the dress!

Steve and Katrina said...

Cute little girl and cute dress. I want to win that pattern!

coastie.wife@yahoo.com said...

She really is just adorable!!!

Ange Moore said...

Another gorgeous dress modelled by a beautiful little girl - thanks for sharing!

yasee said...

Way too cute!! Love the pattern!

Mama Lusco said...

I love vintage pillowcases, too! Great idea :) luscofamily@ortelco.net

Darla said...

I love this fresh new idea for the pillowcase dress! I have just started making some for my 3-yr-old daughter who looooves to wear dresses. I will try some with sleeves now so her closet has some more variety. Thanks for the ideas!!
P.S. Love the photography too!! Cute little models. ;)

Ana @ Don't Fear the Ripper said...

You made that with a pillowcase? Amazing!
acwink@cox.net

Anonymous said...

i always want to use those sweet embroidered things, too! thanks for the idea!