Sorry, I know I am posting them early, but I just realized that tomrrow is really booked, I don't know that I will have typing time. I took pics, but some turned out too glared to use, so hopefully my instructions are clear.

If you are starting with a peice of fabric that is 36 - 40 inches long, fold it in half, right sides together, and stitch up one side. Then hem the bottom.

Instructions for everyone:

Step one: Cut the pillowcase off, leaving the hemmed end, using the following measurements:
6 months - 14 1/4"
12 months - 16 1/4"
18 months - 17 1/4"
2T - 18 1/4"
3T - 19 1/4"
4T - 20 1/4"

Then cut a strip from the leftover pillowcase that is 1 1/2" tall. See picture for visual. Cut the strip open and then in half, so you have two strips, 1 1/2" tall by about 20" long.

Step 2:
Cut out an armhole on each side. I folded the pillowcase in half and cut one armhole so that they would be exactly the same.

For sizes 2T and below cut 1.5" in and 3" down.
For sizes 3T and 4T cut 2" in and 4" down.

Another armhole picture

Step 3: Finishing the armhole

Take the 1 1/2" strip and place it on the inside of the armhole, right side of strip to wrong side of dress. Fold down the top of the strip about 3/8". Meet the top of the fold with the top of the dress. Stitch the strip all the way around the armhole. When you get close to the end of the armhole, stop and cut off the extra strip, leaving enough to fold down 3/8". Fold down the 3/8 and finish off the armhole.

Picture of strip sewn on. Notice how it is folded and sewn down a little on each end, sewn from the top of the front of the dress, down the armhole, to the top of the back of the dress.

Next, you fold the strip twice, once so that the raw edge is touching the raw edge of the armhole...

then fold that piece over to the other side of the armhole, binding the armhole. Here is a picture of the end, showing how it is folded.

Fold like that along the entire armhole, pinning as you go. You could also iron if you are the ironing type.

Then stitch along the binding. Don't stress about trying to stitch the outside and inside perfectly, I would just concentrate on the outside. The inside is already stitched and it won't show anyway :)

Do the same to the other arm.

Then, fold the top of the front and back, first 1/4" then 5/8" to form a casing with no raw edges showing. Stitch this closed.

Picture of casings

Thread 1 yd of ribbon through each casing. Now just tie small knots in the end of the ribbons, gather the front and back, and tie bows on the shoulders. Viola!

WOW!!!! Your instructions are really easy to follow and the pics are a great help!

This dress looks soooo easy to make!!! Have to go back to the fabric store now! ;)

pic attached. Next time I will use bias for the arms if I use such thick fabric. It was hard to get the edges of those casings...

Wow, what an easy project! I only did one thing differently- I have one of those bias tape thingys, and I used that to do the tape before I attached it. Even DH was impressed with how quick & easy it was, and how cute it turned out! Also, if youare making a size smaller than 18 months, you can make a pair of bloomers out of the rest of the pillowcase!

I will post a picture later tonight, my camera is at my moms.

Mary :butterfly

great idea using the bias tape maker....I didn't think of using that :)

I'm almost done w/ my dress - I forgot to buy ribbon; maybe I can get out today and pic some up!

I want to do this RIGHT NOW! and I can't I'm at work for another 4 hours.
(I work one full day every other week when dh has the day off)
I'm so excited to do this... I love the self binding idea I was going to get
co-ordinating bias binding but I'm off the hook now. I do plan try to make
my ribbon with part of the pillow case instead of ribbon because on the
one that I had I found the ribbon slipped alot so I'm hoping useing the same
material will eliminate that.
I found a white pillow case at the thrift store for 45 cents!!!! I was trying
to decide if I should do the artwork on it first or after but in light of the
self binding I think I'll wait and do it after...

BOY I want to be at home instead of here... especially since I have a
quick serging project that has to go first.

I'm so jealous of those who have already completed the project.(((((

Sacha! What a happy model! LOL

What fabric did you use?

This was so easy! I loved it! I used fabric b/c I didn' have any cool pillowcases. If I do it again I won't make it as wide (at least not for a little baby), but all in all it came out pretty good! I sewed matching ribbon at the hem just to pull it all together.

oooh Renee, that is some really beautiful fabric! Now I need to get moving and make mine :)
Sarah

I used some OLD fabric I had been given by a friend. It is almost a denim. LOL It is a vintage fabric. Really nice print. pretty. LOL Also I used bias for the straps since I couldn't find any ribbon in my house. LOL Just stitched it shut. heehee....

oh pretty everyone!

LOL! yeah, Sacha, I chuckled at the mood of your model, too!

I am determined to do this, sew...

I started cutting last night...
(No extra pillowcases here, I am doing patches!)

I am getting offline today and sewing :)

Hope

Thanks for posting the instructions and photos Allison!

I made one for Kenna last night. I'm glad I used an extra pillowcase instead of the Pooh fabric she chose though... thought it would be a good idea to practice :) I cut this one at 22" and it was a bit too short, so I'll be sure to cut the next one longer. Hopefully I'll have enough material to do a pair of bloomers too!

bizzy was sooooo mad at me.....

I will share a pic once I take and develop one...alas no digital camera here. But, I had the perfect scrap of fish print fabric to use, and yellow ribbon just laying around waiting for something like this! It came out sooooo cute, and I did it in an hour while Katie played with her friend. Awesome!

Now we just have to see if Katie likes the ribbons at the shoulders, she wasn't sure about that but is wearing it happily now. Oh, and next time I would like to make it 22" as it's a bit short.

I love the idea of using a chambray with a finished embroidered edge. This would also look gorgeous in eyelet! Also, the ribbon at the hem looks lovely.

I have all these small pieces of calicos laying around that aren't suitable for patchwork because they don't match anything else I have. I think I just found a use for them!

Thanks for leading, Allison. I haven't sewn for fun in a long time and this was the perfect project to start with.

Everybody's dresses look great!

Renee, I love that fabric! You always have such cool batiky fabrics.

I've got all the supplies for mine. Hopefully will get some sewing time when ds goes down for a nap. I'm sewing mine for someone's daughter. We'll see how it turns out.

I love these sew alongs. I feel like I learn so much!

Chenning

Thanks Missy for finding and linking this for me!

bumping for myself.

LOL I'm glad I'm not the only one who needed this bumped!!

Renee, you're fabric is beautiful!! Lydia will look smashing!

Sacha~we have the same couch! ;)

I have my fabric all picked out now I just need to sit down and *do* it!

I can't believe I didn't share a pic of the dress I made! LOL!!!!! ;)

So here it is! :)
http://wahmommy.com/members/krunchy/pillowdress.JPG

Here's the 2nd one I made for Kenna...
http://members.cox.net/aimeef/kennaafter.jpg

oh how cool!!! I wish i had a girl! I guess i could make one for my niece;) thanks!