Pillowcase Nightgowns & Free Tutorial

We spend many summer time mornings staying in our PJs until lunch.  I decided to make some pretty nightgowns so the girls would at least look nice and sweet on these lazy days.  I have been shopping lots of thrift stores lately & found such pretty vintage sheets and pillowcases.  I listed a bunch in my other etsy shop gingercake.  Here are the night gowns I made from some of the ones I kept.

that one was from a sheet.  So pretty and delicate!  I used up most of that on trials until I finally made this one.  Here is from a pillowcase...

I love this print and this poly blend is SO soft.  Not as easy to work with since the cotton count is less but still fine.  I HATE doing the rolled hem on little girl sleeves and necklines so here I made a cap sleeve and used some lace hem binding as the neck.  Pretty!  I did a button on the back seen here...

 These were pretty easy and here is a quick tutorial for you to make one for your girls.  This is for a size 4T.  It wouldn't be hard to make adjustments for a bigger or littler girl but I'll let you figure that out for yourself!  HAHA!  Also,  This is a quick tutorial that i made assuming that you already know some basic sewing techniques ( like ruffles and attaching skirts to tops, etc.) and most is done with pictures.  In my etsy shop patterns things are WAY more detailed but that would have taken me forever so here is the bare bones free tutorial!

Download Nightgownpdf

Comments

[dress boutique]

OMG that is so cute. I thought pillow case clothing only existed in Harry Potter. This is actually a great idea!

[Gabrielle]

Thank you! I made one so that my daughter could be Wendy from Peter Pan. It fit her perfectly! Here are pictures: http://mamagab.blogspot.com/2012/10/my-darling-children-that-gap-between.html

[Janna]

Thank you so much for posting this pattern. I made a couple for my baby girl. Check out the post here. http://mustardseeds.typepad.com/my_weblog/2012/07/summer-nightgowns.html

[Leigh Ann Phillips]

Thanks for this! I made one and posted it here -http://jamesandleighann.blogspot.com/2011/03/pillowcase-nightgown.html

[Becky]

So sweet! I am a bit bummed that I can't seem to make the sleeves work but maybe tomorrow I will give it another whirl.

[Melanie M.]

Thank you for this pattern. I made one as a dress for my daughter and a matching skirt for myself for Christmas.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ckfEBcA9TNo/Tt9op-U7OzI/AAAAAAAAICs/As_uInEhG_0/s912/IMAG0130.jpg

[Neva_er]

Thanks! I made a few variations of this, but changed a few details. So far I've made two slips and a party dress. http://www.flickr.com/photos/mouse_song/6423564233/

[Patricia Clay Mackinnon]

Hello from Scotland and thanks for sharing this tutorial and making it easy.
I used a vintage cotton linen pillowcase as my daughter can't have polyester against her skin unfortunatley and used a cat button she chose and she really loves it...and your sizing template was spot of for my extra tall 3yo.

Thanks!

Link to my daughters new nightie
http://www.flickr.com/photos/layla-bo-bayla/6077321135/in/set-72157627511115316/

[Sarah]

I love it! I googled 'nightie pattern' and you popped up. I've got quite a little stash of vintage pillowcases and a girl who prefers nighties to pjs, so I'm going to give this a go. Thanks for sharing.

[Bethany 3SonsPlus1...&...]

Found this on pinterest...so pretty! =)

[Zachary Hirtle]

My grandmother had the same sheet as the first nightgown. I have been saving it for something special- this might be it!

[Emily Maruna]

Thought you might want to see the one I made for my 5 year old. I used your pattern and it fits her just fine. I just hemmed the neckline and added a little loop for the button hole to give her a bit more room. Thanks! http://emilyflippinmaruna.wordpress.com/2011/04/15/pillowcase-nightgown/

[Emily Maruna]

I'm going to make one of these! I've blogged about it here - http://emilyflippinmaruna.wordpress.com/2011/04/03/make-make-monday-vintage-sheets-upcycled/

[Kim]

These are so cute! Thank you for sharing your idea!

[Chris]

Thank you for the tutorial. My daughter needs a new nightgown, and I love the modest, simple details.

[Holly]

I have those exact sheets (from the last 2 pictures)!!!! They were mine when I was a little girl. My mom gave them to me in case I wanted to use them for something for my 2 girls. I was looking for patterns for pillowcase nightgowns and found your site. How weird!!!

[Candice]

I want to make one for my daughter, I didn't see the dimensions for the skirt part of the nightgown on your instructions and patterns. Please let me know what these would be Thanks!

[jen]

Would love to ad your tutorial to my blog: http://vintagesheets.blogspot.com. please let me know if that would be ok.

[saffiertje]

I FINISHED mine... It did not work great with the sleeves so I made my own .... I had to enlarge the pattern a little... You can find it onn my blog with a link to this post!

Thanx

Love Miranda

[Alice S]

Thank you for the tutorial. It was easy to follow and I'm very pleased with the results.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/45512681@N06/4667317128/

[Christy Kincaid]

Totally in love with this idea....my daughter is prob too old but I have have girlfriends with little girls who will love these

[saffiertje]

Started my own nightgown for my youngest!
will soon share it on my blog and n my flickr acount! will link to this post!
thanx for this awesome tutorial!

love Miranda

http://saffiertje.blogspot.com

[Andrea @ The Train To Crazy]

I love using old sheets for pajamas. They are so soft and worn in. Perfect. These ones are super cute!!

I have a weekly Thursday blog party especially for people to share things they've made to be worn. Stop by if you'd like! It is called Make It Wear It and I host it at TheTrainToCrazy.com

[saffiertje]

THANK YOU for this awesome cutie!!!
Gonna make my girls one!!! They ador handmade gowns...
Love Miranda

[Laura]

Just makes want to be MORE of a little kid than I already am.
oh, I want to be little and wear this.
haha.