- 1). Measure the girl from her shoulder to the desired hemline and add 7/8 inch to the measurement. This will be the length of the dress.
- 2). Spread the pillowcase flat on a work surface and measure the length of the dress from the open end of the pillowcase upward. Cut horizontally across the width of the fabric at the top of your measurement, removing the stitched end of the pillowcase. Discard the excess.
- 3). Fold the pillowcase in half lengthways, bringing the right edge of the fabric to meet the left edge.
- 4). Measure arm-holes at the top left corner of the pillowcase and pencil them lightly onto the fabric. They should be 3 inches long from the top of the fabric and 1.5 inches wide from its left edge for a small child, or 4 inches long and 2 inches wide for a larger child. Your arm-hole measurements should look like the letter "J" sketched onto the corner of the material.
- 5). Cut along your measurement to create the arm-holes. Cut through both layers of fabric, making both arm holes at once. Unfold the pillow case and hem the rough edges with a sewing machine if you have one and a needle and thread if you do not.
- 6). Fold the top front of the dress down 1/4 inch, and stitch it lightly into place. Fold it again 5/8 inch and sew it closed to create a small tube. Repeat this on the top back of the dress.
- 7). Cut two 1 yard pieces of ribbon. Thread one through the tube at the front of the neckline and the other through the tube at the back, using a bobby pin or safety pin to guide them through the fabric. Tie small knots at the ends of both ribbons.
- 8). Tie the ribbon ends together on each side, making a decorative bow and creating straps to hold up the dress.
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