The Amazing Pillowcase Dress Sew – Along

For our summer sew-along I thought we’d make some pillowcase dresses. Before you roll your eyes click off this post, hear me out. 
As I thought about projects that are fit the parameters that I want to keep for a summer sew along I believe that the pillowcase dress and variations of it will fit all of them.

One shoulder tie for a more grown up look.

What are those parameters?  

• Simple enough for an early elementary child to do with assistance and an older child to do without assistance (although sewing with mom or grandma is much more fun)
• Teach a variety of skills like making a French seam, putting in elastic (2 different ways), using elastic thread, sewing on bias tape, hemming (up to you) and sewing and turning tubes, etc.
• Be useful. There’s nothing worse than spending lots of time working on a project only to never use it because it really isn’t useful. 
• Allow the sewer to use her (or his) creativity to make the project uniquely hers (or his)

ok, now I’ve convinced you that this will be fun let’s move on.

Here’s the nitty gritty: 

• Summer Sewing School will go from June 14rd to July 19th.
• We will be doing our project on Fridays but you are free to pick whatever day works for you. I would suggest deciding ahead of time what day of the week you are going to sew and then honor that time.
• I’ll post the tutorial for that week’s lesson on Thursday. That will give you an opportunity to look it over before you work with your child on it. These will have step by step instructions and pictures.
• I will also try really, really hard to check comments late on Thursday night or early Friday morning to answer any questions.
• Last year I tried to set up a Flickr account and well, I’m really just not cut out for that much technology…so, please leave links to your creations in the comments for us all to ooh and aah over.

The girls Easter dresses – no tie shoulders

Here’s some ideas about learning to sew and teaching your child to sew. These are things that I’ve learned over the years of teaching myself and then teaching Phoebe to sew. Some I’ve learned from others. And some, I’ve learned the hard way!

So what are we going to do with six pillowcases dresses?  Each project will be somewhat different. Some will be pretty simple and some will be fancier. So you can use them for day dresses, swim suit cover ups, or even church dresses.

What if I don’t have a daughter or granddaughter to give these to?  I think you should still participate because you’ll learn a lot of great techniques. And you can give your  dresses away. I’m sure there’s some little girl in your life that would love a new dress. Or you can donate them to Little Dresses for Africa.   We’ve gotten a group of girls together before to sew for them. It was really great.

Now go ahead and get your machine out and make sure it’s dusted off and oiled. If you’re just starting here’s some ideas about Basic Sewing Supplies. And here’s some thoughts on being frugal. On Monday I’ll post a supplies list for the projects.

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If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments and I’ll answer them there.

Have a lovely weekend.

P.S. I’ve made a button so if you want to you can put it on your blog. Just look at my sidebar and just copy that html code under the button and you can put it on your blog.

Here’s a great place to purchase all kinds of fabric at a fantastic price. (read our affiliate disclosure here)

Thanks for sharing with your friends!