As promised, here is the simple pillowcase nightie tutorial I use to make my daughters’ nightgowns each year. Keep an eye out for sweet pillowcases when you are out thrifting, but don’t use the ones that are starting to tear from age. I always check the corner seams for signs of deterioration.
The ones with pretty edges are my favorites.
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One of our sweetest Christmas traditions is a pillowcase nightie in each of the girls’ stockings.
Hopefully, you will find them easy to make and you will have as much fun with this tradition as we have.
They only cost a few dollars and take 20-30 mins to sew, making them a fabulous gift idea for any little sweet hearts in your life.
Enjoy!
Supplies
- one standard pillowcase
- don’t use ones that are starting to deteriorate from age
- pretty edges make great hemlines
- 3 yards 7/8″ satin ribbon
- don’t use wired ribbon
- matching thread
- sewing scissors
- sewing machine
- fray check
Pillow Case Nightie Tutorial
1) Fold the pillowcase in half lengthwise.
2) Start cutting 2 inches down from the top edge on the fold and cut an arch up to the corners of the pillowcase. Then measure down 5 inches from the corners and cut arm holes. You don’t need a pattern, just cut two arches out.
3) Open up the pillowcase and mark the center of the top layer with a pin.
4) Fold back and forth to create pleats, no pattern, just make three and get the whole set centered. You are making the neckline, be sure to keep the raw edges in a straight line. You are going to wrap ribbon around them and you don’t want any edges hanging out.
I like to make my necklines about 8 inches across.
5) Cut a piece of ribbon the same length as the neckline.
6) Iron it in half, satin side out.
7)Pin the ribbon along the neckline, catching the raw edges inside the fold. Use your smallest pins so you don’t snag the satin. (I apologize for such a blurry photo.)
8) Stitch in place, remove all the pins and trim any extra ribbon at the shoulders. Double check to make sure you got all the raw edges tucked inside the ribbon.
Repeat on the back neckline.
9) Cut 1 yard of ribbon for each armhole, iron the middle section in half like you did for the neckline. Leave about 1 foot on either end that is not ironed.
10) Find the center of the ribbon and pin it to the seam in the arm hole.
11) Finish pinning the ribbon up around both sides.
12) Stitch ribbon in place around armhole. And repeat for other armhole.
13) Iron all the ribbons and pillowcase.
14) Trim the ribbon ends on an angle, and apply Fray Check.
I was secretly planning to put this in her stocking,
but while we were taking pictures, she asked if she could have it.
I figured it could be her payment for modeling and
she skipped off into the sunset in her “non-Christmas present” pillowcase nightie.
Here is another neckline I have been wanting to try.
And if you find a set of pillowcases this would be sweet,
night gown on top and pajama pants on bottom,
using the second pillowcase.
For more ideas on how to up-cycle your thrifted finds see
10 Ways to Repurpose Vintage Linens
Sharing at these parties!
These looks so beautiful and it such a sweet tradition to gift them to Christmas each year. I wish I knew how to sew to make one for my little niece. Thank you so much for sharing this!
Author
This is a pretty good project to start with if you have access to a sewing machine and some Youtube videos. But, I wouldn’t expect it to take 20 mins, if you haven’t used a sewing machine until now. Let me know if you try it!
These are so sweet. I am going to make some for my babies (24 & 19) I think they will love them and look very cute in them. Thanks for this post!!!!
Author
Are you girls 24 months and 19 months? Toddlers look completely darling in these little nighties/ dresses.
They are so cute! How do you go about cleaning these items prior to making them. Yes I am a germaphobe.
Author
I just wash the pillowcases. Washing machines are very effective, in my opinion. But, you could wash them on “sanitize” if it makes you feel better.
I was gonna say such sweet little gowns. But then I saw the pics of your daughter. Oh my goodness. Pure sweetness. Love the chicken girl!
Thanks for sharing. Very fun.
Author
What a nice thing to say, I will tell her you said so.
These are precious little gowns! Thank you for sharing!!
Author
You bet, Meg, thanks for stopping by!
Ava has wanted one for awhile. I need to attempt. Thank you for this tutorial.
Author
I can’t wait to see what you design!
I just searched out finding a sewing class in my area. I have been wanting to learn and already have a sewing machine. I love these sweet pillow case gowns. Your version with the pleats are so gorgeous and sweet. Thank you for inspiring me to learn to sew! It’s something I have wanted to do for a long time. Seeing this project was the icing on the cake!
Author
OH my goodness, you don’t know how happy that makes me. I love that you are taking a class on sewing! And thank you for your sweet compliments.
Darling!! So cute!
Author
Oh my goodness! What a sweet thing to say.
Thanks so much for posting this. I just love these.
Author
Oh, you are so welcome, I am glad you like them!
xoxo
These are just so adorable and precious.
Author
Oh, Mary, thank you so much, you sound like such a kindred spirit.
Pillowcase nightgowns – lovely! Excellent instructions! Thanks for sharing!
Author
Oh good, I hope I was clear, email me if you have questions!
Some friends of ours have a ministry that has schools in poor areas of Nicaragua & Mexico. They have women from all over the US making dresses similar to yours out of new pillowcases. Children in these areas don’t have much, so the little girls are delighted to get a pillowcase dress of their own. They love them. It’s an inexpensive but darling gift and a great way to bless the young girls. Great idea!!
Author
Oh my goodness, I totally forgot about that till you mentioned it. But, my daughter and I made a whole bunch of these a couple of years ago and sent them to Africa. It was for a ministry that does just pillowcase dresses, how sweet is that? I love you found another group doing this.
That is THE MOST adorable little girls nightie! I’m going to share it on my FB page, it’s too cute not to share. Thanks for linking up with us at the DI & DI Link party, so glad to see you each week.
Author
Thank you, Christine! You are always so supportive and encouraging.
xoxo
Do you have instructions or a tutorial on how to do a pillowcase nightgown/dress with the tie in the back like the green one pictured?
Author
I don’t. I found that on pinterest, I’m so sorry.
So cute! Love all the step by step examples.
Author
OH good, I’m so glad. Thank you, Maria.
Would this fit a 7 yr old or would I have to get a king size pillow case? These are beautiful!
Author
I think I would use a King size for a seven year old. Good question!
Hi,
How would you convert the size for: i intend to use a blanket-case as pillowcases are to small
7 year old
14 year old
woman XL size clothes
Thank you very much
Lovely ideas. My difficulty is that my granddaughter is small for her age (we all are) and she lives in another state. So difficult to make something the proper size, either too small or way big.
Did you discover how to do the casing for the one with the bow in front? That looks a little challenging.
Thanks.
Author
I find that the length of the pillowcase barely changes, if you had your grand daughter’s height, it would probably be fine.
Also, I haven’t tried the casing one yet, but it is so sweet!
Hi! I’m working on this pattern now! Did you pleat the back as well? If you did not pleat it did you cut the back so it fits across the back better? Thanks!!