amitymamaThe Attachment Parenting Community

arasmama · 04-08-2002, 01:05 AM

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.

arasmama · 04-08-2002, 01:08 AM

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.

arasmama · 04-08-2002, 01:09 AM

Another armhole picture

arasmama · 04-08-2002, 01:12 AM

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.

arasmama · 04-08-2002, 02:33 AM

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.

arasmama · 04-08-2002, 02:37 AM

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

arasmama · 04-08-2002, 02:39 AM

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.

arasmama · 04-08-2002, 02:40 AM

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

arasmama · 04-08-2002, 02:44 AM

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.

arasmama · 04-08-2002, 03:00 AM

Picture of casings

arasmama · 04-08-2002, 03:01 AM

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!

~Jo~ · 04-08-2002, 10:23 AM

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!

Sacha · 04-08-2002, 12:12 PM

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...

mommy2maya · 04-08-2002, 12:26 PM

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

04-08-2002, 01:30 PM

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!