Pillowcase dresses are so quick and easy to make! They are cool and comfortable, perfect for warm weather! You can make them from an actual pillowcase just by following the instructions for armholes and casing below. Or create a dress to match a personality with cute and colorful fabric. Pillowcase dresses are so easy a beginner can make one. Buy one yard of 42" - 45" sturdy fabric, and 2.5 yards of 1" wide grosgrain ribbon for each dress you plan to make. All dresses are made from the full width of the fabric. I used a full yard for the dresses I made. However, if you want to customize the length: Measure from the base of the child's neck down to the point on the leg where you want the dress to end. Add 5 inches to that number to allow for casing and hem ... [Read More]
Search Results for: pillowcase dresses
How to make a bandana dress — tutorial
Bandana dresses are another version of the pillowcase dress -- but faster and easier! They're really cute, too! Bandanas are available in so many great colors and fun designs. I picked this classic design for the tutorial, but setting on my sewing table are polka dot, plain, chevron and party print bandanas. Can't wait to make them into cute dresses! A bandana makes the perfect sized dress for a toddler. The dresses are about the equivalent of a 24 month or size 2. They are full and loose around the body which any mom knows makes the size matter less. The ribbon ties make the arm holes adjustable so the bandana dress fit is even more forgiving. Growing girl just means add tights under the shorter dress and, eventually, the dress becomes a top with jeans or shorts. Big bang ... [Read More]
Busy Monday #63
At four o’clock the mail used to arrive in the small town where I spent part of my growing up years. People would begin to gather at the post office early and, while they waited for the mail to be sorted, would exchange the news of the day. Most of it was the “how’s your cold” variety, but when there was news of a more serious nature, people would go into action. A funeral and food would appear at the door, illness and transportation for treatments were quickly arranged, broken leg and someone was there to mow the lawn. Our internet “town” is bigger, but people still want to help. A few months ago, Mallory Fundora asked for help in providing dresses for girls in Uganda. Danielle of Peanut Life Adventures saw the request and included making pillowcase dresses on her 14 projects ... [Read More]
Twelve Most Viewed Posts of 2015
2015 has been a very busy year -- and so was the last part of 2014! -- as Chez Charlene Ohio underwent extensive makeover and sold. We relocated 1000 miles away to a new Chez Charlene that also has undergone an extensive makeover. I've been taking photos of everything along the way so you know you will hear all about it. Beginning soon! We are down to 2.5 rooms that need painting. Woo Hoo! And then we are done --- until garden season. I thought it would be interesting to share the top viewed twelve posts in 2015. None were written in 2015 -- what with moving and all, that would be asking for the moon! But just in case you missed some of them along the way -- here's the classics . Wicked Good and Easy Pork Chops I wrote this shortly after I began blogging four years ago and ... [Read More]
Fiesta Skirt for 18″ doll using fat quarter
A brief visit to Mexico a couple of years ago gave us the opportunity to see some spectacular traditional Mexican dancers. I have some pictures but they are all a blur because of the speed and intricacy of the dances. One set was particularly eyecatching because of the beautiful full dresses worn by the women. The Fiesta Skirt is modeled after those dresses. Each tier is double in fabric to the one above it -- a lot of swirl! A fat quarter from the quilter's corner of your favorite fabric store will yield one two tiered skirt. Cotton fabric usually comes in 45 inch widths. If you buy a quarter yard you end up with a skinny piece nine inches wide by 45 inches long. Instead: Cut a yard from the bolt, then divide that yard into fourths. Each quarter is 18" by 22.5 inches. ... [Read More]
Party Dress for 18 inch Doll
This gorgeous party dress was intended for Samantha who was retired from the American Girl lineup several years ago. Samantha is a dead ringer for a little one I know and I was thrilled to find a Samantha doll in excellent condition for the little sweetie pie a couple of years ago. The dress is true to the turn of the century historical period Samantha depicted -- but it is classic style that any modern doll mama would love her 18 inch doll to have! The original source of this pattern is the delightful AGPlaythings. In addition to this and other clothes for Samantha there are a number of free pdf patterns for other retired dolls on this site. If you or someone you know loves AG -- check it out! I followed the pattern, but made some changes in the directions. Some sewing ... [Read More]