Welcome to this week’s Live Session! I decided to try something completely spontaneous and fun today, which I’m calling the “Pillowcase Challenge.”

The idea came to me while I was decluttering and found a bunch of king-size jersey pillowcases I no longer needed.

Instead of throwing them out, I challenged myself to use their simple tubular shape as a base for creating unique, unconventional tops and dresses.

This session is all about breaking the rules of traditional pattern cutting and discovering interesting silhouettes by simply cutting holes for the neck and arms in unexpected places.

Demonstration Steps:

• Introduced the “pillowcase” concept, explaining that it’s just a simple, seamed jersey tube (mine was 47 cm wide and 98 cm long).

• Demonstrated the first design by cutting three strategic slits near one end of the tube—one at the corner for the neck, and two others for the armholes—to create a simple asymmetrical top.

• For the second, more successful design, I started fresh with a new “pillowcase.” I cut a neckline slit in the center and then opened up the side seams completely, from the hem all the way to the corners, creating dramatic, open armholes.

• Showed how the tension of the design pulls the fabric towards the back, naturally covering the side bust area and creating a very flattering and secure fit despite the open sides.

• Experimented with the back opening, first showing it tied for a keyhole effect, then cutting it deeper and tying it again to create a beautiful “butterfly” shape that was a huge hit.

• For the final look, I worked with a one-shoulder tube dress, cutting an unconventional opening across the front bodice to create a very edgy, Rick Owens-inspired look with a gathered high neckline.

• Demonstrated how adding an internal elastic waist stay helped control the drape and add shape to the slinky, one-shoulder design.

• To prove the designs worked, I moved them from my standard dress form to “Jessica,” my smooth mannequin, which showed how beautifully the final designs hang and move on a body.

This challenge was a fantastic exercise in creative, zero-waste design, showing how you can develop several cool, edgy, and very wearable pieces without a traditional pattern.

The winner of the session was definitely the open-side top with the butterfly-back detail, which I’m sure would look incredible in a fabric with a more fluid drape.

Let me know if you’d like me to turn these into patterns for next week