Is your team or small group looking for a mission or service project?
Or maybe your group is getting burnt-out on craft projects for themselves.
Pillowcase dresses are easy to make and provide a much-needed resource in many countries.
Despite my lack of sewing ability, several years ago I attended an event at our church to help create pillowcase dresses.
If you don’t sew, have no fear, those who can will, and those who can’t can iron, cut fabric, coordinate ribbon, and fellowship.
Before I get into the details of the event, I want to share something startling I learned.
Pillowcase dresses provide protection for the girls that receive them.
“Over one million children in Malawi alone have been orphaned to HIV/AIDS. Because girl orphans are among the most devalued and abused in their culture, and face such oppression, it is the mission of Little Dresses for Africa to plant in the hearts of these little girls that they are worthy. It is reported that girls wearing a new little dress are much less likely to be abducted, abused or molested because the new little dress shows that someone cares about them, ” shares the team for Little Dresses for Africa on their website.
Oh. my. goodness.
Are you ready to protect a young girl? I am.
So here’s the basics:
You will need women to:
- Iron pillowcases
- Cut ribbon ( 2 – 1 yd. pieces per dress)
- Cut armholes
- Sew dresses
- Match ribbon with fabrics
You will need these supplies:
- Pillow cases (thin fabrics not recommended)
- 5/8 or 7/8 spools of patterned, textured ribbon (smooth ribbon will not stay tied)
- Sewing machines and thread
- Cutting board – a rotary cutter makes for easy work
- Scissors
- Irons and ironing boards (multiples)
- Patterns for the arm holes (you can find some here)
The two sites below have great detailed directions for how to cut the pillowcases and how to transform them into a dress.
Bumblebee Linens Pillowcase Directions (simple and straight forward)
Little Dresses for Africa Pillowcase Pattern
You will want to collect pillowcases prior to your event.
Once finished, you can:
- Send them with a team from your church taking a mission trip
- Ship them to a missionary that your church supports
- Pack the dresses in Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes
- Send your dresses to Little Dresses for Africa or Dress A Girl Around the World
I’d love to hear from you if your church takes this project on! Let us know how it goes!
Looking for other mission project ideas? Be sure to check out:
60 Service Project Ideas
Bless Them With Band-Aids
No-Sew Fleece Blankets
Blessing Bags
For more ideas from around the internet, follow me on Pinterest:
Visit wmtoolbox’s profile on Pinterest.
They now recommend not to use ribbons as they don’t hold up in tropical climates. They ask for elastic at the front and back and bias tape for the ties. <3
Thanks for the tip, Lisa! 🙂
Little dresses for Africa has patterns for these dresses, boys shorts, and women’s menstrual pad. Check them out.
Thanks for the tip!
Are there any groups in or near Covington, GA 30016 who make the dresses for your mission?
Nancy, I’m sorry, I don’t know. This was done for a project almost 10 years ago. Please check with your local church to see if they support any missionaries that may be able to use them.
Hello, we loved your patterns and made a few last year to send with the shoeboxes. We were wondering is there a Pillow Case shorts pattern for the boys?
thank you
Hi Benita, I’ve never searched for one. I hope you’re able to find one!
I have several pillowcase dresses made from fabric. I used to sell but not anymore. Would like to donate them. Many sizes from infant to around 10 years old. I have emailed several groups and received no response. I don’t want to just drop off at a goodwill. Please advise
Danita, I’m so sorry you haven’t received a response from the groups you’ve emailed. They would be a GREAT addition to Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. If you or your church aren’t packing boxes, check other churches in your area – especially those that are serving as a drop-off site. You should be able to find a list on the Operation Christmas Child website. What a blessing they will be to those who receive them! <3
I have fourteen dresses finished and ready to donate and many more to come. I need a place to send them. Helen
Helen, how wonderful! Please follow the suggestions and links in the posts for sending the dresses. Thanks!
thank you
You’re welcome, Lori! Glad you found this post to be helpful.
If anyone has pillowcases they would like to donate I am collecting them to make dresses to take to the Dominican Republic in early March on a mission trip to build a home there. They can contact me at gunn.loretta@gmail.com
Loretta, thank you for offering to take some additional dresses with you! I hope you’ll get a good response!
I have made 2 dresses but don’t know where to post them too
Regards Pam
How wonderful! As noted in the post above, you can send your dresses to Little Dresses for Africa or Dress A Girl Around the World. Both are Christian organizations that will make certain your dresses are put to use. Please click on the links for shipping information for each group. I know they’ll be a blessing!
Looking for a home for about 50 pillowcases gently used and some new, and bags of lace trim. Any ideas?? Thanks! Carol
Carol, I wonder if there’s a sewing ministry in your area that would be willing to take them… Or see if you could organize a pillow case making night at your church. Hope that helps!
I am very interested in making these dresses for Honduran children. Our church is making a trip to Honduras the first of the year and will take them there. Could you give me pertinent info concerning sizing, fabric type (ladies have offered fabric, but I wonder about cotton fabric drawing up when washed and being a wrinkled mess) are pillowcases the best way to go? My email is carolyn@jrsribsark.com for you to answer. All suggestions will be appreciated. Thank you
Carolyn – saw your message and I will email you. If anyone has similar questions – I am no gifted in the area of sewing. Please check out the links referenced above for more info. Thanks!