Bride’s White Nightgown
When I got married, a dear high school friend gave me a beautiful, vintage style white nightgown. I still have it. It is the only nightgown I got then that I still have. It was made by Wild Mint out of a very soft and comfortable 100% cotton.
I wanted to purchase a white nightgown for the young girl from church who is getting married on Saturday. First, I went to the Wild Mint website. Now I know how special my gift was from my friend — their nightgowns are handmade and over $100 each! No way can I spend that. I shopped a little at the Vermont Country Store, too, but the few I liked would have been $40 at a minimum. I really can’t even spend that.
I decided I would sew her a nightgown instead. I looked for patterns last week but didn’t find anything I liked, so I used a dress pattern. I sewed it up in a larger size than she normally wears, so she will have plenty of ease for sleeping comfort.
I chose Simplicity 5046, View E. I changed the neckline to be more circular and I added eyelet lace around the arms, neck and at the bottom hem. A friend recently gave me bunches and bunches of eyelet lace and I’m so thankful because it really came in handy.
Close-up of bodice with eyelet lace.
Now I’ll tell you something that should be a secret. When shopping for fabric, I couldn’t find any soft, white 100% cotton that pleased me locally. But I did find a soft white sheet. So, yes, the fabric from this nightgown came from a sheet. Just don’t tell the bride. 
And I’m not blind to the fact that my creation is not on par with what I could have ordered from Wild Mint — but it didn’t cost $100, either.
Wild Mint or not - it’s a gorgeous gift and she’s quite lucky to receive it!
I looked at the Wild Mint ones - I’d prefer to see actual pictures, though - and I like the Nancy ones and, of course, the Lisa.
And sheets are often a lot softer then store-bought fabric so there’s no shame in using them - fabric is fabric
some sheets are super soft and wonderful fabric for sewing garments. i think the bride will be very pleased that you took the time to create something special for her.
what a sweet friend you are Wardeh..so wonderful and kind..warm hugs
Pretty, sweet & simple. If I were the bride receiving a gift, I’d much rather have your handmade one than the $100 one any day.
I’ve sewn lots of stuff out of sheets, and even out of cloth tablecloths.
I wish I had a white nightgown. It sounds kind of fitting for a bride….we have been married a while but my husband still calls me his “bride” & I hope that we will always act as tenderly to each other as newlyweds.