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Tutorial: Little girl’s pillowcase dress

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Tutorial: Little girl's pillowcase dressIf you’re new to sewing, a little girl’s pillowcase dress makes a great first project.  Dolly from Dolly Creates shows how easy it is to make one.  The pieces are all rectangles so there’s no need for a tissue pattern.  It takes just a handful of easy, straight seams to put it together, and when you’re done you’ve got a little girl dress you can feel proud of. You can use an actual pillowcase, or do what she did and use some cute cotton yardage in two coordinating prints.  Go to Dolly Creates for the tutorial.

[photo from Dolly Creates]

Comments

  1. When I was thinner I used to buy up beautiful embroidered pillowcases in antique stores and cut them into tank tops.

    If the pillowcases were super-narrow, I’d add a rectangle of painted muslin to fill out the sides.

    I’m keeping all of them in case I ever succeed at losing those bonus pounds.

    Susan
    LadyFlowersbySusan

Have you read?

Sewing Pattern Saturday: Baby Bib Sewing Pattern (Mix and Match) Review

Baby bibs are one of those sewing projects that never go out of style — not because they’re trendy, but because they’re endlessly useful. This Baby Bib Sewing Pattern (Mix & Match) stood out because it understands real-life baby mess and real-life sewing time. Instead of a single bib shape, this pattern gives you options, which is exactly what you want when you’re sewing items that will be used (and washed) on repeat.

It’s the kind of pattern you bookmark knowing you’ll come back to it again and again — for baby showers, new arrivals, last-minute gifts, or simply to restock your own stash of practical baby basics.

Quick Pattern Overview

  • Pattern type: Baby bibs

  • Skill level: Beginner

  • Format: PDF sewing pattern

  • Sizing range: Baby / infant

  • Designed for: Everyday use, feeding time, gifting

  • Where to find it: Etsy (PDF sewing pattern)

Skill Level – What You Really Need to Know

This is a genuinely beginner-friendly sewing pattern. If you can sew curved seams and manage simple topstitching, you’ll be absolutely fine. There are no complicated closures or tricky techniques hiding in this design.

Because bibs are small and quick to sew, this pattern is especially forgiving. It’s ideal if you’re new to sewing for babies or want a low-pressure project that still feels satisfying to finish.

Fabric & Material Suggestions

Fabric choice matters with bibs more than almost anything else — they need to be soft, absorbent, and able to survive constant washing.

  • Best fabrics: Cotton, cotton flannel, terry toweling, muslin

  • For backing: Absorbent toweling or flannel

  • For trims: Bias binding or soft woven cotton

  • Fabrics to avoid: Anything stiff, scratchy, or non-breathable

This pattern works beautifully for using up fabric scraps, making it both budget-friendly and sustainable.

Fit, Sizing & Wearability Notes

These bibs are designed with baby comfort in mind. The shapes are practical, offering good coverage without being bulky or restrictive around the neck.

The mix-and-match element is especially helpful here — different bib shapes suit different stages, from milk feeds to messier solids. That flexibility makes this pattern far more useful than a single-style bib.

Before You Start Sewing This Pattern

  • Pre-wash fabrics to avoid shrinkage

  • Use soft thread suitable for baby items

  • Clip curves carefully for smooth edges

  • Press seams well for a neat finish

  • Check PDF print scale before cutting

These small steps help ensure a professional-looking result, even for beginners.

Customisation & Styling Ideas

This pattern is perfect for personalisation, which makes it ideal for gifts.

You could:

  • Mix prints and solids

  • Add simple embroidery or initials

  • Use contrast binding

  • Create themed sets

  • Sew coordinating burp cloths

Because the pattern is quick to sew, it’s easy to make multiple bibs in one sitting.

Who This Pattern Is Best For

This pattern is a great choice if you:

  • Sew for babies or new parents

  • Want a fast, practical project

  • Enjoy beginner-friendly sewing

  • Like patterns that use fabric scraps

You may want to skip this if:

  • You’re looking for a garment project

  • You dislike repetitive sewing

  • You prefer complex construction

Why We’re Sharing This Pattern

We love sharing patterns like this because they highlight the everyday usefulness of handmade sewing. Baby bibs might seem simple, but a well-designed pattern makes all the difference — especially one that offers flexibility and variety.

This mix-and-match bib pattern is practical, thoughtful, and genuinely useful, which is exactly what we look for in a Sewing Pattern Saturday feature.

About Sewing Pattern Saturday

Sewing Pattern Saturday is a regular series here on CraftGossip where we highlight sewing patterns by independent designers, with a strong focus on Etsy sellers and small businesses. It’s our way of supporting talented pattern makers while helping sewists find patterns they’ll actually use and enjoy sewing.

Find the Pattern Here

You can find the Baby Bib Sewing Pattern (Mix & Match) PDF on Etsy