Pillowcase Skirt
I've made myself a few skirts to take
on vacation - actually dipping my toe into the big pool of making my own clothes. I picked a very basic pattern that has only two pieces and an elastic waist, thinking that it can't get any easier than this... but then I found out that it actually can! I was going through my stash looking for fabric that my daughter might like for a skirt when I came across this vintage pillowcase I had found thrifting awhile back. I love the border print and thought it would make a cool looking skirt so this is what I did:
1- cut open the end of the pillowcase;
2 - try on and decide what length you want it; trim any excess from the end you just cut open but leave an extra 1" or so for the casing;
3 - fold over the raw edge to create
a casing for the elastic (I fold over ¼" first and then ¾" so you don't see the raw edge) and press, then stitch the casing closed leaving a 1" opening to insert the elastic;
4 - insert the elastic (I used ½") through
the casing and sew up the ends;
5 - stitch the opening in the
casing closed and you're done!
Super-de-duper easy :)
I'll be back in about a week, take care 'til then!
How cute and unique! I love the recycling aspect of the pillowcase skirt. Precious!
Posted by: Kellie Van Es | 07/04/2009 at 12:37 PM
This is great! I am a useless seamstress - I can do everything else (embroidery, papercraft, collage, mixed media etc) but "proper" sewing has never been my thing. I am definitely going to try this though. I think I could actually manage it! Thanks.
Posted by: Ms Moops | 04/12/2008 at 06:29 PM
i bet it would be just as easy to use a drawstring waist. also, it would be easy to make alterations to, thinking a soft inward curve toward the knee to fit better to the body. it's really simple, there's a lot that can be done with it.
Posted by: Ralph | 09/30/2007 at 04:19 PM
Ingenious, and very pretty! Such a fantastic and simple idea...
Posted by: Iris | 07/22/2006 at 06:17 AM
wish I could fit into a skirt like that. In my dreams. You can also make a child's sundress- open up closed in- measure from shoulder to under arm add 1 1/2" Cut down that far- fold over top to make casing- run ribbon through- both sides. Tie at shoulder. Cute and cool too.
Posted by: Linda | 06/30/2006 at 07:25 PM
What a great idea! Love the print and colors, too.
~~Jessica~~
Posted by: Jessica | 06/16/2006 at 11:20 PM
That skirt is so clever! I love it. I think I'll go raid the linen closet for pillowcases now. :)
Posted by: Jennifer | 06/12/2006 at 01:27 PM
fantastic.
Posted by: k8tykat | 06/11/2006 at 05:03 PM
fun! what a great idea! that might even get me to try making my own clothes!
Posted by: shoofly | 06/09/2006 at 09:47 AM
a pillow case would never be big enough to fit my bum into! Great idea though.
Posted by: weirdbunny | 06/07/2006 at 12:35 PM
brilliant! lovely print and colors too.
Posted by: carol | 06/06/2006 at 11:42 AM
How KOOL is this ???
The timing is unbelievable. I just yesterday bought a pillow case from the thrift store - pink roses- and I was wondering...what creative thing can I do with
this ?
Thank you for such a great idea !
I was going to use overdye technique on the pillowcase- did you see the latest issue of
Martha ?
So ! you and Martha....and ME !
XXO- S.
p.s.I gotta keep an eye on your blog !
Posted by: arttealife/onecrabapple | 06/06/2006 at 10:56 AM
Hey, I was looking at some of your Flickr photos today--I had no idea you were from Idaho! I grew up there and miss it so much!
Your skirt is great--looks so nice and cool for summer!
Posted by: Chef Messy | 06/06/2006 at 08:35 AM
Great minds think alike. I have been making skirts out of pillowcases for the past ten years. I now a business base on the pillowcase skirts. I love the pillowcase skirt. The vintage ones always make such good ones.
Posted by: Melody | 06/05/2006 at 04:37 PM
Fantastic skirt. Have a great vacation.
Posted by: Wren | 06/05/2006 at 12:36 AM
Brilliant! Have a good trip!
Posted by: Kristin | 06/03/2006 at 04:44 PM
So good idea!! what a pitty I don't have any cute pillowcase at home!!!
Posted by: Lolita Blahnik | 06/03/2006 at 08:52 AM
the pillowcase is FAB! such a cute skirt:)
Posted by: lori | 06/03/2006 at 08:11 AM
are you kiddin' me?? this is so cool! Have fun on vaca!
Posted by: jes | 06/03/2006 at 04:24 AM
lovely! that pillowcase translates to a skirt perfectly!!
Posted by: tracy | 06/02/2006 at 12:24 PM
lovely!
Posted by: mary | 06/01/2006 at 09:22 PM
Hi ! I haven't checked in for a while! Pillow case skirt! Pretty clever! I hpe you have a lovely vacation! Pam
Posted by: Pam | 06/01/2006 at 06:42 PM
WOW! I'm freaking out because I had those exact pillow cases on my bed when I was a kid - this must have been mid 70's. I remember staring at the multiple levels of border along the edge on summer evenings when it was my bedtime, but it was still light outside. MAN, did I hate those things. My sister's going to flip when I show this to her.
Posted by: ballookey | 06/01/2006 at 02:24 PM
That will look great sauntering around the poolside. It looks so slim and trim...my elastic waisted skirts always come out so frumpy! Did you include any side/back slits?
Posted by: quenna | 06/01/2006 at 10:31 AM
that's what I call recycle! and the results are pretty sweet!
congrats...
have a nice trip.
Posted by: Paula | 06/01/2006 at 07:27 AM