The Sassy Pillowcase Dress, Revisited
I finally made it! Kinda.
I recently flipped through the old Sassy from December, 1992 (thanks to the Internet Archive) when my entire sophomore year of high school flashed before my eyes...
I remember this article vividly, but then again — I thought Bjork had made the pillowcase dress! I swore she was on MTV’s House of Style saying “I made this dress out of a pillow.” But upon further research, she had made a dress out of a blanket. You can understand my confusion — it’s all bedding!
Via MTV.com:
We couldn’t clear the video because of the music, but we find Björk sitting on a white bed against a black wall at the Paramount Hotel in New York City. Without ever looking at the camera, Björk plays with a single red rose through four costume changes. There is a long-sleeved mohair, maxi dress; a patchwork tweed skirt with gigantic wood-heeled 8-hole black boots; a short A-line dress made of white fluff; and a long-sleeved, V-neck minidress made of a blue-and-white patterned blanket…
“I found this blanket in a market and I really liked it and I kind of wanted to wear it. So I kind of changed it into a dress, I guess.”
I know, I too am very VERY upset I cannot find a video or picture of Bjork in this blue and white blanket dress (though, in my memory, it is white with little red bows… or maybe she had little bows in her hair)!!!
ANYWAY, BACK TO SASSY + PILLOWCASES.
I didn’t have a single bed pillowcase I was willing to part with, but I did have an old throw/couch cushion cover I was ready to take a pair of scissors to (or pinking shears, as I was taught by Ramona Quimby).
Watch the “tutorial” in this video!
I think the pillowcase shirt (tank top?) turned out super cute. I did sew up the bottom (okay, I used iron-on hem tape) but haven’t worn it out in public yet because I am still afraid I’ll shed all over the place.
Do you remember the pillowcase dress? DID YOU ACTUALLY MAKE the pillowcase dress?!? If so, you’re my hero. (Bonus points if you also remember Bjork and her blanket dress.)
P.S. If you still need more Sassy, Check out last month’s episode of In Retrspect podcast where hosts Susie Banikarim and Jessica Bennett speak with editor-in-chief Jane Pratt.
P.P.S If you liked this post, you may also enjoy the time I made a sports bra out of men’s underwear.
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Of COURSE I remember the pillowcase dress and because I happen to have all my issues of Sassy somewhat intact, I can tell you that this was a reader-produced issue. So Sharon wasn't a regular staff member. I don't know if I should share her full name here on the public internet, but I'll DM you screenshots if you want.
The pillow case shirt you made is super cute!