Make a Dress from a Pillowcase {Little House on the Prairie}

My goal for our Little House on the Prairie Unit Study is to bring the American 1800s to life with hands-on projects. Our first is learning how to make a dress from a pillowcase. This classic sewing craft is beginner-friendly, budget-friendly, and creates an adorable pioneer-style dress perfect for pretend play, costume days, or reenacting scenes from life on the prairie.

Whether you’re a confident seamstress or a total beginner with a needle and thread, this guide walks you step-by-step through how to make a dress from a pillowcase that your child will love wearing as she steps into Laura Ingalls’ world.

Read More! Click here if you’d like to learn a bit more about our plans for this Little House on the Prairie Unit study and to see all the bits and pieces in our adventure box.

Why Make a Dress from a Pillowcase?

Before modern stores and ready-to-wear clothing, families often repurposed whatever they had on hand, including sacks, linens, and simple cloth, to make clothing for their children. This makes the pillowcase dress an authentic and meaningful activity to pair with your Little House on the Prairie Unit Study.

Here’s why this craft is a favorite among homeschooling families:

• Easy for beginners — No pattern required
• Budget-friendly — Pillowcase + ribbon + basic sewing supplies
• Quick project — Can be made in just 30–60 minutes
• Authentic to pioneer life — Repurposing household items
• Adorable & wearable — Perfect for dress-up, role play, or themed events

Another great DIY! Click here and learn how to make your own DIY prairie mattress to go in your little house.

What You’ll Need

To make a dress from a pillowcase, gather the following supplies:

• A standard pillowcase (vintage floral patterns look especially prairie-like!)
• Scissors
• Sewing machine or needle & thread
• Safety pin
• 1–2 metres of ribbon (½–1 inch wide)
• Bias tape (optional for armholes)
• Lace or trim (optional for decoration)

Step-by-Step: How to Make a Dress from a Pillowcase

1. Choose Your Pillowcase

Select a clean pillowcase in a soft cotton fabric. Florals, stripes, and muted colours imitate the look of pioneer clothing beautifully. For a more authentic Little House feel, aim for calico-style prints.

2. Measure Your Child

A pillowcase is usually the perfect length for toddlers and young children. For older children, you can shorten it into a tunic or pair with a petticoat.

Measure:

• Dress length: Shoulder to knee
• Armhole depth: Usually 5–6 inches for small children

3. Cut the Armholes

Lay the pillowcase flat. At the top (open end), cut a shallow “J” shape on both sides for the armholes.

Tip: Start small. You can always enlarge the armholes later.

4. Finish the Armholes

To prevent fraying:

• Fold the raw edge inward and stitch, or
• Sew on bias tape for a clean, comfortable finish

This step gives the dress a polished look.

5. Create the Casing for the Ribbon

Fold the top edge of the pillowcase (front and back) down about 1 inch to form a casing. Sew across the edge, leaving the ends open.

You’ll thread the ribbon through this casing to form the neckline.

6. Thread the Ribbon

Using a safety pin, thread the ribbon all the way through the front casing and then the back casing. When the child wears the dress, tie the ribbon into bows on one shoulder or at the centre.

This creates the gathered peasant-style neckline typical of pillowcase dresses.

7. Add Embellishments (Optional)

To mimic pioneer-era stitching and decoration, you can add:

• Lace trim along the hem
• Decorative ribbon across the bodice
• Simple hand-stitched flowers
• A small pocket on the front (great for storing “prairie treasures”!)

Let your child help choose the embellishments for a personalized touch.

Using Your Pillowcase Dress in a Little House on the Prairie Unit Study

Once you make a dress from a pillowcase, the fun really begins! This handmade dress becomes a beautiful prop during your Little House on the Prairie Unit Study, inspiring creativity and deeper engagement with the time period.

Here are a few ways to incorporate it:

1. Childhood on the Prairie Role-Play

Let children act out scenes from the books:

• Helping Ma in the kitchen
• Playing outside on the prairie
• Visiting town
• Attending school

Dressing the part helps kids internalize the daily life and culture of the 1800s.

2. Storytelling & Read-Aloud Sessions

Have your child wear her prairie dress during the read-aloud of Little House in the Big Woods or Little House on the Prairie.
It instantly brings the narrative to life.

3. Pioneer Crafts & Chores

Pair the dress with other simple unit study activities:

• Making butter in a jar
• Sewing simple cloths
• Braiding rugs
• Caring for pretend livestock
• Making corn-husk dolls

This helps your child understand how different life was before modern technology.

4. Prairie Photo Shoot

Snap a few themed photos outdoors, field, garden, tall grass, or logs, and create a keepsake portfolio for your unit study notebook!

5. Homeschool Presentations

If your child shares their Little House on the Prairie Unit Study with a co-op group, the pillowcase dress makes a wonderful presentation outfit.

Tips for Success

• Choose soft cotton for comfort and breathability
• Secure ribbon ends with heat or clear nail polish to prevent fraying
• Add shorts or leggings underneath for active play
• Let children help with decorating their dress to build ownership and enthusiasm

Final Thoughts

Learning how to make a dress from a pillowcase is much more than a sewing project. It’s a connection to history, a confidence-building craft, and a hands-on addition to your Little House on the Prairie Unit Study that children will remember for years.

Simple, sweet, and charming, just like Laura Ingalls herself.