pillow case skirts

[milkmansdaughter]

I sew like I do most things, impulsively and without a real plan, certainly without a pattern. But these are super easy so I thought I'd share.
There's a little girl in our church who just started school. She's 5, and tall for her age, but skinny. Her mom has had trouble finding dresses for her that are long enough without being too big around the waist. Sooo, I'm making some (to her mom's delight.)

I went to a thrift shop looking for ideas, and found some cute pillow cases. Since most of the hems are already done, it's way less work for me. We measured her waist size, and the length wanted. Then I lay a pillow case down, measure length from the open end. (Add about 1 1/2 inches for a hem.) Cut to length. Hem. Cut a piece of elastic to the size of her waist. Put inside hem and you now have a little girls skirt. Works probably up to age 6 or 7.
Embroidered pillow cases are cute, and colored cotton works great. Here are a few of the first ones I finished.

 

[milkmansdaughter]

Btw, i have extra material for each pillowcase, and was thinking of making matching hairbands. Any easy ideas on how to make some?

 

[Mini Horses]

Cute skirts! And easy. I used to sew a LOT...after everyone grew up, did prom, did weddings, I got away from it. Now that I am serious about "retiring", would love to get back into sewing again. Have everything. Including fabrics. You know "the one who dies with the most fabric is the winner".

There was a time when I made my entire wardrobe & kids, too.
Now, I'd probably sew for self -- then do kids and donate to a church group, shelter, etc. It's a fun hobby. You seem to have found an outlet, kudos!

It's hard to find a GOOD fabric store now.

ETA: used to make doll clothes with extra cuts from the DGD dresses

 

[TexasLisa]

Btw, i have extra material for each pillowcase, and was thinking of making matching hairbands. Any easy ideas on how to make some?

Check this out:

http://www.aliceandlois.com/diy-fabric-headband-tutorial-handmade-gift-series/

 

[milkmansdaughter]

@Mini Horses, I've done lots of simple things over the years: hems, buttons, jumpers and skirts when my daughter was small, but never anything like pants, or shirts. I can't even imagine doing something like wedding or prom items, but i have two friends who did. I did help at the school costume department sporadically over the years with things like school plays. I've had almost no lessons ever so its mostly just looking at something and figuring it out by eye. But even I can make these!

 

[milkmansdaughter]

@TexasLisa Those are really cute, and perfect for what I had in mind! I don't know any of the sewing terms, but they look easy enough, and I have plenty of scrap to practise on. Thanks!

 

[TexasLisa]

I had a feeling once you looked at the pictures, you could do it! Don't forget to post pictures!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Cute!!

 

[Beekissed]

I was thinking too, that you could just sew the fabric into a pocket/sleeve for a piece of wide elastic, then stretch it and sew it much like you would make a waste band so that when released it had gathers. Then you could even make little fabric flowers to sew onto the finished band at the seam where you connected the two ends.

Sort of like the back band of these but make the scrunchie looking piece for the whole headband....sort of like a very large scrunchie.

And I really like the looks of this one, with the patchwork look.....

I love, love, love those little skirts, MMD!!! So easy, so simple and so sweet on a little girl. I'd probably incorporate tiny side slits so they could squat and move easier when they play. I bet you could make some mighty cute little pinafores or aprons for little girls out of pillow cases as well.

I may have to look for ideas for that for my two so they have little aprons they can put on in the playhouse. Aliza has one already I found at GW but it's adjustable and hard for her to put on by herself.

 

[milkmansdaughter]

Oh, Bee. Those are really cute! And thanks for the ideas. The girls LOVE aprons. Here's one I just finished using an old scarf instead of elastic in the waistband.