The moment I saw someone turn a pillowcase into a tank top on Instagram, I was completely inspired. It was such a cute and creative idea that I just knew I had to try it for myself!
And guess what? It turned out adorable.
I actually ended up making three, two of them in the same fabric as my housedresses (click here to see those, and the patterns I used) and one just for funsies. Now I’m a little obsessed, and I think you might be too by the end of this post. These tops are comfy, lightweight, oh so airy and perfect for summer. Plus, you’re essentially making a wearable top out of something that was probably going to either the dump or get thrown in the bins at the thrift store. Wins all around.
Here’s exactly how I did it.
What You’ll Need
- A pillowcase (cotton or a breathable fabric works best for summer)
- A tank top you already love the fit of
- Fabric scissors
- Pins
- A sewing machine
- Bias tape (store-bought is totally fine — I bought mine!)
- Chalk or a fabric marker
- A seam ripper (just in case)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Create Your Pattern
Grab a tank top that fits the way you want your new shirt to fit. Lay it flat on your pillowcase and trace around it with chalk or a fabric marker. This is your pattern.
Want a cropped look? Shorten the length when you trace. This is the fun part — you’re fully in charge of the fit and style.
One great built-in shortcut: the opening of the pillowcase becomes your bottom hem. That means one less edge you have to finish. The sewn side of the pillowcase also doubles as one side seam of your top. So really, you’re already halfway there before you even cut anything.
Step 2: Cut It Out
If your pillowcase is large enough for your size, you may not need to cut the sides at all — lucky you! If you do need to trim, add a ½ inch seam allowance to any side you’ll be cutting. Also add ½ inch to the tops of the straps so you have enough fabric to sew them together cleanly.
Step 3: Sew the Seams
Place the fabric right sides together, pin, and sew along the straps and the sides of the top. Take your time here, especially on the straps — those small seams matter for the final look.
While We’re Making Everyday Things Feel a Little More Enjoyable…
There’s something about a project like this one that makes the ordinary feel worth your time. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how that same idea applies to other parts of home life — not just the fun creative stuff, but the everyday tasks too.
That’s what led me to build my Domestic Daydreams Radio membership. It’s a collection of podcast-style cleaning routines you can follow along with in real time. You press play, and I guide you through each step in timed increments — no standing in the middle of your kitchen wondering where to start, no decision fatigue, just a friend (me!) walking you through it. (Click here for 14-day free trial!)
Some of the routines are paired with classic audiobooks — Anne of Green Gables is a favorite — and others play vintage radio shows from the 1940s and 1950s in the background. It’s still real work. But the experience of doing it feels different.
If you want to try it, there’s a 14-day free trial right now — click here to sign up.
Now, back to that pillowcase — let’s talk about making adjustments and finished the raw edges.
Step 4: Try It On and Adjust
This step is so important — don’t skip it. I put mine on after sewing and realized two things pretty quickly:
- It was tighter than I’d like to pull over my head. So I had to adjust that.
- If someone has bigger boobs than my itty bitties, you’ll probably need to add darts.
For the fit issue I just made the neck opening deeper.
For the darts issue, you can put the shirt on, wore it while marking where you want the dart placement on one side with chalk, and then mirror it on the other side. Honestly, darts may look scary but with a few videos on YouTube I promise they are simpler than they seem— and they can be a major improvement.
Step 5: Finish the Raw Edges
Before you go too far, finish any raw edges on the inside. I stitched these together on the machine to keep everything neat and prevent fraying down the road.
Step 6: Add Bias Tape
The final step is adding bias tape around the neckline and armholes. This gives those raw edges a clean, polished finish and honestly makes the whole top look professionally made.
You can make your own bias tape, but I just bought mine — no shame in that. Match it to your fabric or go for a contrast color to make it a design feature. I personally ADORE the contrasting look, and did it with two of mine!
The Result
Three wearable, cute, airy summer tops made from pillowcases. I’m not exaggerating when I say I’ve gotten compliments on both of them. You can also sew matching accessories if you have two pillowcases in the same fabric. I sewed hair scarfs to match mine!
I actually went to the store wearing the top and matching hair scarf and a sweet older lady nudged me in line and told me she adored them! Honestly, that was the best kind of compliment I could get! I loved it.
The best part? This project is totally forgiving. You don’t need to be an advanced sewist. You just need some patience, a willingness to try, and a pillowcase you’re ready to repurpose.
Would You Try It?
These pillowcase tops might just become my go-to summer sewing project. They’re fast, budget-friendly, and you can make them in any style — cropped, flowy, fitted, whatever you’re feeling.
If you try this yourself, I’d love to see how it turns out. Drop a comment below or tag me on Instagram or Facebook @DomesticDaydreams so I can cheer you on. And if you’re eyeing that stack of pillowcases in your closet right now — yes, go for it!