Easy Nightie Tutorial

           I’ve been seeing a lot of pins on Pinterest about how to make adorable little dresses and nightgowns for little girls out of pillowcases.  Since I don’t have a little girl to make on for, I decided why not make one for myself?  Turns out a pillow case would yield a teensie weensie little nightgown, maybe more of a nightie shirt.  Turns out, pillowcases are really just 2 rectangles sewn together, so why not just cut two larger rectangles out of an adorable fabric and make myself and cute little nightie?  This is exactly what I did.

            As always, my mistakes will be noted as well as other hints that may help you along.  Enjoy!

Step 1:  Gather your supplies.  You will need enough fabric to make yourself a nightgown (I used a little less than a yard), a rotary cutter or scissors, a self-healing mat, a ruler, coordinating thread, ribbon, accent lace.

Step 2:  Measure.  If you have nightgown you already love, grab it as a template for the width.  Be sure to add an extra inch to each side (2 inches total).  The height can be measured by starting at your collarbone and measuring to your desired length.  Add an extra 5 inches to this measurement for the hem and the top.

Step 3:  Cut your fabric.  Using the measurement from step 2, cut out your rectangle.  

Using your self-healing mat, ruler and rotary cutter or scissors, cut the top corner off at a 60 degree angle on both sides.

Step 4:  Iron and pin.  Iron your two pieces.  Place them right sides facing and pin along both sides from the just cut corner to the bottom.

Step 5:  Sew the sides.  Sew along both sides  ½ inch from the edge.

Step 6.  Prep the arm-holes.  Fold both sides of the 60 degree cut inward ½ inch, leaving the fabric right side out.  

Iron and pin this.  Sew each section ( a total of 4 ) using a zig-zag stitch.

Step 7.  Finish the top.  Fold down the top edge ½ inch and iron.  

Fold down another 2 ½ inches.  Iron and pin down this section.  Sew at both the top and bottom of your fold to make a “sleeve.”  You will insert your ribbon there.

Step 8.  Hem it.  Fold the bottom of the dress in ½ an inch and iron.  

Fold it in another 1 ½ inches, iron and pin.  

Using a top-stitch, sew along this edge.

Step 9.  Add the lace (if desired).  Flip your nightgown right side out.  Line the top of your lace to be even with the top stitch at the bottom of your nightgown.  Pin down the lace. 

Stitch along the top edge and the bottom edge of the lace, securing it to the gown.

Step 10.  Add the ribbon.  Cut a length of ribbon to act as the strap.  Using a safety pin, pull the ribbon through the top two sleeves so that one side of the gown has each ribbon end showing.

Step 11.  Make a bow.  Tie the ribbon into a pretty bow.  To secure this bow, stitch and “X” in the center of the bow.  

This will ensure the bow does not come undone.

Step 12.  Stand back and admire!!!