Rectangular or square pieces of fabric, known mostly as covers for fluffy pillows on which we rest our weary heads, and usually accompanied by matching bed sheets; the modest pillowcase.
The 1940's 'make do and mend' culture encouraged working class women to
recycle textiles, and pillowcases were often used to sew into clothes such as white shorts.
We are lucky to live in a society today where we are not reliant on rations, however, much of our resourcefulness is non-existent as a result. Wouldn't it be great if we all continued with a make do and mend mentality, and used our existing textiles to make new, rather than throwing away usable fabric.
Is it still possible for us to be resourceful with a pillowcase, in a throwaway culture that exists today? Can the humble pillowcase be made into a piece of clothing or accessory that we can wear with pride? I think so!
I'll give you some examples:
A dragonfly top was my own first venture in transforming pillowcases into clothes:
More here
This inspired a second summer top, made from another thrifted floral pillowcase:
Before: Pillowcase, elastic, lace
After: Summer Top
More here
You may or may not be familiar with a project called Dress A Girl (Around the World), a global campaign which encourages individuals with sewing machines to create dresses which are sent to underprivileged little girls, all over the world. Each dress is based on an original dress design, usually made with a pillowcase.
Pam of Threading My Way, used pillowcases and a strip of curtain
for her gorgeous little Dress A Girl project dresses:
More here
Jillian aka the awesome ReFashionista made a dress for herself,
using a pillowcase from Goodwill:
More here
Pao of Project Minima made a Tunic from a King Size Pillowcase
More here
Debbie of On The Banks of Stony Creek,
made a summer top from a jersey pillowcase, which looks super comfy:
More here
Bag Again's Large Tote Bag is made from a re-purposed pillowcase
Listed here
Picked Green's Vintage Inspired Full Apron is made using
upcycled geometric pattern pillowcases:
Listed here
Mena made a sassy yellow pillowcase dress, based on an idea seen in a magazine she saw 20 years ago,
it took her less than 30 minutes to complete:
More here
A tutorial by Rain Blanken can be found on DIY fashion,
how to make a skirt out of a pillowcase, her skirt includes cute little side ribbon ties.
More here
Thrift stores, opportunity shops, jumble sales or even our Mother's or Grandmother's linen closets (ask first before rummaging!) are often filled with good quality cotton pillowcases with pretty patterns, and intricate embroidery. Maybe it's time we all start thinking about ways to restyle our pillowcases into fashion pieces, we can start a thrifty pillowcase fashion revolution!
Have you made a pillowcase fashion piece? If so, feel free to provide a link below, I'm sure we'd all love to see!