I make these dresses with ladies from my sisters' church- Trinity Lutheran in West Sand Lake, NY. They are quick and very easy, even for non-sewers. We even have a young boy and girls sewing. I make pillowcases from stash so we have even prettier- and more opaque- dresses than from the usual pillowcases. I also haunt the town's very supportive thrift shop for nice sheets and curtains and lace from table cloths. We put pockets on all the dresses, and it's nice to tuck in some extra hair ribbons or clips. Nothing too heavy or bulky because of mailing costs. We make the top casing of the dress a bit wider and use 1/2" elastic for a nicer look. For boys shorts we use a purchased pattern with an elastic waistband. I don't like the knit shorts pattern for making shorts from T shirts some sites have posted. Have Fun!