Preppy Paper Bag Styled Dress Size 4T

I absolutely LOVEEEEE this dress!!

My baby ROCKS the hell out of it!

Alright, I am going to explain how I started out. I didn't take pictures of the supplies needed, but there is nothing that you shouldn't have already... Besides maybe elastic?

The fabric I chose for this dress, is a solid mint that was purchased at Joanns, as well as a light pink with white polka dots, also purchased there.

 

I let her choose her own fabric, and it was a cluster of all pinks, so I took it upon myself to throw in a solid color. I don't use solids as much as I should. Or hell, want to. LOL.

Start by pressing your fabric. I had to do this on the floor, as my lovely, handsome husband, hasn't built me a proper cutting table. Honey do list is getting quite long!!

This dress once finished will be 28" long. It will skim the her ankles. If you don't want it to the ankles, that's fine, just measure accordingly. Just remember there will be an added panel at bottom (light pink dots for my dress)

So, I laid out my fabric and cut, using pinking shears, 22" (selvage to selvage) by 36". Press your fabric once more.

 

I also cut out (of the pink polka dot fabric) 2- 6" x 22" strips. (selvage to selvage). Two strips for the bottom band. At the end you should have two long strips of 6" x about 45" pink polka dot fabric.
 

So you will end up with TWO (mint pieces) 36" WIDE x 22" LONG. Right sides together, sew up one side seam. Please remember that the side seam is the 22". Press open.

 

Do the same with two of the polka dot pieces. Just on one side seam only.

 

Now open the dress part (mint for me) with the one sewn side seam in the middle. Right side up. Line up the pink polka dot band side seam, wrong side up, to the seam on the dress. Basically right sides together and side seams matching.

 

Now to the long ass part of sitting at your machine for a tad bit longer than usual. You are going to pin the hell out of the dress. Pinning the whole bottom band to the main part of the dress. Pin and pin, and keep pinning!

Head to the mean machine, and stitch all the way down. Connecting the two pieces. I used a straight stitch, but if you are more comfortable zigzagging, go ahead! Just don't forget to backstitch!!

 

 

Alrighty, you should have one long piece of mint and pink polka dot fabric. Time to stitch the second side seam.

 

Make sure to match up the band seam (pink polka dot) before stitching. Using a straight stitch and backstitching.

 

After pressing open the side seams, you should have a dress that will be about 70" AROUND.

 

Lets get to making the top of the dress, including the elastic casing.

 

Start by folding down 1/4" and pressing or go ahead and use your serger. Lucky you, but a serger is on my Christmas list!!! Please Santa, please!

 

After folding down and pressing (or serging), fold down another 2" and press.

 

Sew a straight stitch along the bottom of the 2" but make sure to leave a 1" opening in order to insert the elastic. We are creating a casing.

 

 

Now after we are done with another session of long ass sewing, we are going to sew a another straight stitch 1" from the first. BUT don't leave a 1" opening (like we did for the first line).

 

 

At the end, you should have a 1" casing for your elastic. Making the top of the dress the "paper bag style".

 

Lets create the straps!!

 

So, I cut two 6" x 11" strips of the polka dot fabric. I pressed them flat. Then right sides together, stitch a straight stitch all the way down the entire length of the strip. Leaving both ends open.

 

Turn straps and press with the seam open in the middle. This will be on the back side of the straps.

 

To attach the straps to the dress, we have to find the center of the dress.

 

 

Mark center with two pins. Now pin the straps at an angle 8" apart. Each strap should be 4" from the center of the dress.

 

 

Now using the casing stitch as a guideline, use a straight stitch to attach the strap to the dress. Stay on the same stitch line as the casing. This is why there is no need to stitch the ends of the straps together.

 

 

 

 

Alright, alright, alright! Time for the elastic, to make it look like a dress, and not some HUGE mumu, that would swallow your child whole.

 

Cut 3/4" elastic the size of the bust of the child the dress is for. Mine is 20"

 

Attach a safety pin to both ends, and start fishing it through the casing. Super difficult, as its a huge amount of fabric, but its works in the end.

HOLY CRAPAZOIDS!!!

 

That was intense!!!! Yet, it has an amazing turn out!

 

After connecting safety pin to safety pin, hurry and zigzag stitch like 6 times, to connect both ends of elastic. You do NOT want to lose a piece of elastic in the dress, and have to do that over again. OMG. Gag me. LOL.

 

Now time to close the casing up. DO NOT STITCH OVER THE ELASTIC WHEN DOING THIS.  I have done this on my dress, cause someone knocked on the front door, and scared the be-jeebies out of me and yeah. Really.

 

Sew over the original casing line, and start rearranging your ruffles. This is gonna be a pain in the you know what, but it will be worth it!!!

 

 

 

Turn up the hem at the bottom of the dress to the desired length, press, and stitch around this big dress one. last. time.

 

You can add a bow on top (I used a safety pin, for washing, but be careful with baby fingers who like messing with it) and TA-DA!!!!!!

 

 

Stand back and make your little one twirl and twirl away!

 

 

Thanks for lasting through another long tutorial, and please leave any comments/questions below!

 

Happy Stitchin'!

Yeah, totally busted!!

 

 

 

 

I am a complete klutz I tell ya!!

 

I injured my hand last week pretty badly, as that's why I haven't posted recently. So to say the least I am making this blog post just to assure everyone reading that I have big plans when I am able to return!

 

Many more tutorials, recipes I've learned, and many DIYs!

 

I appreciate your patience and seriously cannot wait to sew my ass off!!

 

Happy Stitchin! (so jealous!)

 

 

 

 

Long Sleeve Peasant Style Dress Sewing Tutorial Size 4T

 

 

I LOVEEEEE this dress!!

 

This is for a size 4T dress, but if I would've made the sleeves a tad longer, it would fit my 7 year old as a shirt. But it is a 3/4 length sleeve in her, but she doesn't feel comfortable wearing it without longer sleeves. Tomboy I tell ya!!

 

So I started out with a previous fabric I've used. Navy blue chevron purchased locally.

 

I cut out, using pinking shears, 2 rectangles 18" wide and 23" long for a front body piece and a back body piece.

 

 



 

During that process, my little lovey wanted her picture taken with her chocolate. This girl has my whole heart, forever and ever!!!

 

 

Put both body pieces, right sides or wrong sides together. Since we are just cutting the sleeve holes out.

 

I use my sleeve pattern from previous posts to cut the holes out.

 

 

 

Put those two body pieces aside and you can use either a different fabric, or the same, for the sleeves. I've seen many different dresses, with corresponding fabric, but for this one I chose to use the same.

 

So I start with cutting 2 rectangles 10.5" wide by 20.5" long.

 

 

 I left the length with raw edges, as it will be hemmed later on.

 

Put right sides together, with the raw edges at the bottom, use the same sleeve pattern, from the body of the dress, to cut two more sleeve holes FROM THE SLEEVE FABRIC.

 

 

You will then end up with two sleeves, and two body pieces, with the same sleeve holes cut.

 

Now, lets grab ONE sleeve and connect it to ONE body piece. With right sides together.

 

I sewed this using a straight stitch and backstitching on both ends.

 

 

Repeat for the other sleeve, with right sides together.

 

Looks kinda funky, but it will be totally kick ass after we are done!

 

Repeat for the backside. Its a little weird, but its easily done.

 

 

Sew using the same straight stitch and backstitching on both ends for each sleeve.

 

Now lets starting pinning!! And no, I don't mean quit reading and head to Pinterest, even though I'm a completely obsessed Pinner!

 

We are pinning from sleeve opening to bottom of dress.

 

 





 

 

 

Sew, sew and sew!! I used a straight stitch, and backstitched each end.

Repeat with the other side.

 

 

 

 

Now to create a casing for our elastic. I left about a 1.5" inch opening on the "back" of the dress. Marked by pins for easier sewing for me.

 

 

 

I folded down about half an inch, pressed, and then folded down once more. I pressed once more. Since this is going around the whole neck piece, even going over the sleeve seams, I pinned my casing down for easier sewing. I didn't want wonky edges. If you are comfortable, with your pressing, go for it!

 

 

 

I sewed around with a straight stitch and backstitching each end. Make sure not to go over your casing opening of course.

 

I used 3/4" elastic. I measured the neck piece (from one shoulder to the other) and took off about two inches. Cut your elastic to the size needed, and get your trusty safety pin.

 

Fish the elastic through the casing and pull towards the other end of the casing.

When you get the end of the elastic (without the safety pin) at the opening of the casing, secure it to the dress with another safety pin, so it does not end up getting lost in the dress.

 

Finish fishing it through the dress, making it scrunch, until you get through the other side.

 

Take both ends of the elastic, and secure only the ends of the elastic together. I straight stitch and backstitch over my elastic pieces about 4-5 times. Some zig zag, but do whatever floats your boat.

 

Push the elastic into the casing, and sew up your casing. Make sure NOT to go over the elastic. Just sew up the 1.5" opening on the same line. I know that's pretty DUH, but I gotta add it!

 

 

Turn your dress right side out... hem the bottom to your preferred length, as well as both sleeves. I just folded up .5" pressed, and then another .5" for both.

 

Now, flip your dress right side out, add a bow, and TA-DA!!!!!

 

BEAUUUUUUTIFUL!!!!

 

 

Thanks for reading and HAPPY STITCHIN'!!!!

Flutter Sleeve Dress Sewing Tutorial Size 4T

So I find myself loving blues and greens for dresses. Its just fun to see them in something other than pink. AND I have THREE daughters, so I see A.L.O.T of pink. All day, everyday............

 

So I decided to make my middle baby a flutter sleeved dress. I think I make her the most dresses, as my oldest is more of a tomboy and would rather have shorts and t-shirts. Also, my youngest baby will be able to wear the dresses when she gets of age. As long as I don't add her monogram or name. ;)

 

 

So on to the tutorial! I will try and not make it a long tute, but I can't promise anything!

 

I have this beautiful royal blue quatrefoil print fabric that was purchased from my local Wal-Mart. It comes in MANY colors, but the blue really jumped out at me...

 

Her bust measurement was 20" so on the fold (which is where my tape starts, sorry didn't mark it on the picture!!) So half of that is 10" but I added an extra 3" for seam allowance and since I didn't want it super tight. Also, I know from previous dresses, that the length would be 18" (finished, hemmed and all) but I wanted to make this dress a tad longer, so in this tutorial I just used whatever was saved from being cut. I think it was about 25"? I'm not sure, sorry....

 

ALSO, not pictured, turn dress inside out, press, and sew using a straight stitch up the long side of your dress, creating a side seam. I had about a .5" seam allowance.

Press seam.

 

Use your sleeve pattern, which is featured on my pillowcase dress tutorial.

 

Cut the sleeve out for both sides. With either the fabric wrong side or right side out. Either way is fine.

 

 



 

 

Now we need to create our casing for the elastic. I folded down about .5", pressed, and then folded down another .5" and pressed again. I repeated for the opposite side as well, so while at my sewing machine, I can sew both during one sitting.

 

Place a safety pin through one end of your elastic, for easy threading. My elastic was about 6" long, but I did trim off a little.

 

Feed through the elastic casing until the end of the elastic is lined up with the end of the casing.

 

 



 

Take this to the sewing machine. What I do on elastic, is straight stitch and backstitch at the end, about four or five times to secure. Most people zigzag stitch, but its your preference!

 

Finish threading your safety pin elastic through the other side, making the dress scrunch. Repeat with the straight stitch, backstitch process until secure.

 

Repeat for the other side of the dress.

 

As you can see, I added a coral colored flamingo, using my Silhouette Cameo.

 

It was my oldest daughters idea, and I must say, its quite adorable! You don't need to add anything if you don't want to! You can also take this to your embroidery machine, and add an applique or whatever you decide! UP TO YOU!

 

Now lets make those sleeves more comfortable for baby armpits, that gets lots and lots of tickles throughout the day...

 

What I did, instead of using bias tape (which you can do if you like, using the same fabric), I folded down itty bitty amount. Like I can't even tell you the measurement, as its tiny.

 

I pressed that down (which was difficult with the elastic, but totally worked) and folded down a little bit more. Took that to the sewing machine, and sewed a small straight stitch from elastic casing to the next.

 

Repeat for the other sleeve. Press when finished. Super cute!!!

 

 

Now we need to create the sleeves. I have heard of many different ways of attaching and making flutter sleeves, but this is the easiest way to me.

 

I cut TWO 8" x 4.5" rectangles of fabric. I just eye measured for the sleeves, but you can measure your little one if you prefer.

 

 

 

 

We are now going to hem the bottom of both sleeves rectangles.

 

Fold down about .5", press, and then fold over once more, and press again. Now, I don't measure anything when hemming. Just make a hem as you see fit. I know its weird, but I can't help not taking accurate measurements. I DON'T LIKE RULES DAMNIT! :D :D :D

 

Repeat that process for both rectangle sleeves.

 

Take to the machine and sew using a straight stitch. Please make sure you are backstitching. Everything.

 

Now to create another casing for your elastic.

 

Fold down the same way as you did the neck piece. Press, and fold down once more. Press. Sew using a straight stitch. Repeat for both rectangles.

 

I cut my elastic about 4". I trimmed off, honestly, very little once finished fishing it through and sewing a straight stitch, and backstitching to secure both ends.

 

Repeat on both sleeve rectangles.

 

Now this is gonna look like a cute little American Doll skirt, but don't be tempted!! As I always am. Haha.

 

You should now have two "American doll skirts". Time to attach to your dress.

 

This was kinda difficult to take pictures off, but you are basically putting right sides together. Elastic of sleeve, to elastic of dress. Its a pain in the ass to sew through, but it works! TRUST ME.

 

I pinned my sleeve to the dress, and headed to the sewing machine. I sewed with about a 3/8" seam allowance on this, but whatever floats your boat.

 

 

Repeat on the back side of the dress. You have to do some maneuvering to sew it on, but its quite simple. Just don't forget to backstitch!

 

Do the same on the other sleeve.

 

Make sure to check the measurement you would like it to hang on the child, and hem the bottom of the dress. As in my dress will end up being about 20" long, so I measured from the neck to 21" and cut. Folded .5" up towards the wrong side of the fabric, pressed, and folded another .5" and pressed once more. Sewed the whole thing with a straight stitch. Perfect little hem :)

 

TADA! Your dress is b-e-a-uuuuutiful!

 

 

(I know that last picture has only one sleeve, I just got excited to take the picture!)

 

 

 

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial, as I know I'm not the only one on the world wide web to have a dress tutorial, but I do appreciate you stitchin' with me today!

 

 

Happy Stitchin'!