I've had several requests for instructions on how to make the ruffle on one of my little dresses that I have sewn for Little Dresses for Africa. I call the ruffle a Clown Collar! It does make me smile:-). I decided to use a solid pillowcase for the body of the dress, and a printed fabric for the collar, just to make it easy to follow in the tutorial. I'd like to claim this Clown Collar for my own...and the name Clown Collar is mine, although I'm sure if I Googled it, there would be others. ..but I actually saw a little dress in Wal-mart that was so cute, I just had to have it....only to study it, so that I could duplicate it. And then I quickly returned it!


You will need:

•  a pillowcase or fabric for the body 
•  fabric for the Clown Collar
•  1/4 inch elastic
•  bias tape (optional)
•  rick rack (optional)

First, cut your fabric for the Clown Collar. In this example, my fabric is 4" x 40". With right sides together, stitch about a 1/2" seam. Press. 

Then, make the casing for the elastic by simply turning edge to about 1/2", and turning again, so there are no raw edges. Perfection is not required. Press.

Stitch around the casing being sure to leave an opening of about 3 inches to feed the elastic through. Once you have done this, stitch the elastic together, and then close the 3" opening. 

Attach bias tape to edge of collar, or just hem it.

I finish off the bias tape using a zig-zag stitch.

Once you have cut armholes on body of pillowcase/fabric, finish with bias tape. You may choose to simply turn armholes under and stitch, but I have found that using the bias tape is easier to handle and very quick.

You are ready to attach Clown Collar to body of pillowcase/fabric. Simply slip the body of pillowcase into the pressed casing. I start my stitching at the back seam and work my way around. Don't forget to leave an opening of about 3" in order to insert the elastic. I would work with 20" to 25" of elastic. You'll need enough to be able to work it through.

This is how it looks before inserting the elastic.

And this is how it looks afterwards!

I usually finish it off with rick rack along the pillowcase hem line, or use the same fabric as the collar, and I usually add a little pocket. Girls love little pockets!

The finished length of this is about 22" and it was made from a standard pillowcase.


This is a picture of the four dresses I've made with the Clown Collar. The pink one is my favorite. I love polka dots!


Feel free to email me if you have any questions @ reneemooresmith@gmail.com