Easy Sew Ladies Pillowcase Nightgown from a Vintage Sheet

If you are looking for a nightgown actually made from pillowcases, click here for my tutorial for an easy nightgown made from a pair of pillowcases.

This ladies nightgown in this post reminds me of the little girl's style of pillowcase dresses.

When my parents recently moved out of my childhood home, my mom gave me a big box full of sheets.  I love upcycling, and sweet girly sheets are perfect for making nightgowns, in my opinion.  I made this from  Simplicity 9505, and I just love it.  

The nightgown pictured above is version E.  I also made another nightgown in version C, with elasticized short sleeves, but I don't like that nightgown nearly as much as this one.  The main reason is because of the fabric I chose.  I got some bargain cotton fabric on a mini bolt on black friday from Hancock, and it is too sheer for me to be comfortable in.  If I make that version from a sweetly printed sheet, I will probably like it a lot better.  

I know I will be making this version (E) pictured here again; I have lots more girly sheets to upcycle and this pattern was super duper easy to make. This is the kind of easy pattern that even a beginner sewist can make without trouble.  It says Simplicity 2 hour pattern on the front, but I am certain this took much less than 2 hours to make.  Mr. Green has looked at me and said "That's pretty," every night that I have worn this to bed, so like I said, I will make this sweet nightgown probably several more times. 

More Jammies and One Yard Wonders

Have ya'll seen this book?

It's pretty awesome.  There are 101 projects, all of which can be made from just a yard of fabric.  There are things you might never think of, like a cover for a 2 drawer file cabinet, and also basic things like purses and other bags.  There are things for you to wear, clothes for babies and children, toys, gifts, aprons, even a collar and leash and coat for your dog.  Or, if you are a cat lover, there is a pattern for a darling little teepee for your feline friend.  The book is hardcover, with the pages mounted on a spiral, and all the pattern pieces store in an envelope inside the front cover.  If you haven't gotten this book yet, I encourage you to order it now.  It's perfect for stash busting!

I plan to make lots of the projects in this book, including more than one for our holiday gift making next month.  I thought I would show ya'll the short jammies I made following two of the patterns found here.  The top was designed by Rae Hoekstra, and could also be worn with jeans.  The "perfect fit" shorts pattern includes a handy-dandy formula for measuring and making shorts that fit exactly right.

I actually made these from a vintage sheet, and have enough fabric left over to make something else, too.  They were super simple and fun to make.  Don't you want to order this great book and make some for yourself too?  I appreciate your ordering through Amazon by following links on my blog.

I will see ya'll tommorrow.  Have a great night!

Recon: pillowcase pair to nightgown

This must be the absolute easiest possible way to make a nightgown.  I started with a pair of pillowcases.

Someone gave me these and I love the print, but I have already made plenty of pillowcases for my bed, so these will become a nightgown instead.  I also found part of a coordinating pillowcase in my scrap bag, left over from a previous recon.

This is just enough fabric for me to use to make the chest band and straps for my nightgown.  You could use whatever you can find in your stash; you won't need much.

So, you start by cutting the pillowcases.  Remove the side and bottom seams to make two flat panels.
Then sew these panels together at the side seams, lining up the hemmed edges, which will be the bottom of your gown.

Then make your chest band.  Measure your chest, above the bust, under the armpits.  Make the band as you would binding, by pressing in half and then pressing the raw edges under 1/4", and then sew the short ends together to make the band.

Now set your machine to its longest stitch length and sew a basting stitch around the raw edge at the top of the gown.  Pull on the bobbin threads carefully to gather this piece to fit your chest band.  Encase this inside the band, pin, and then topstitch all around to attach the band to the gown.

The last steps are the straps.  Sew them right sides together and turn.  Then you will pin them to the gown and try it on to determine placement before you sew.  Once you are happy with where the straps sit, sew them in place on the inside, near the top of the band.  Clip your threads, and you're done!

Happy sewing!