Tag: toddler dress

Summer Bee Dress

Cecelia’s Summer Bee Dress

This lovely summer spaghetti strap dress was suppose to be made in time for my sister in laws baby shower in June.  However, I was unable to finish it due to my water breaking early and being hospitalized.  I finally finished it and love how it turned out!  I free handed the design and sizing.  I meant for it to end up as a 2t size, but as you can see it’s a bit big!  This works out great since its winter and not summertime!  She can wear it this upcoming summer.  I can’t wait for the warm spring and summer to come!  Bulbs and flowers emerging and gardening time, but let’s get back on track.

As always there is a youtube tutorial and this written one.  I do not have a pattern as a freehanded it and designed the pattern myself as I went.  I used one of my Cece’s dresses to size it and make part of the pattern to guess the sizing.

Unfortunately, a lot of the video tutorial was accidentally videotaped over with my baby boys arrival home (sorry more important anyways!).  So I videotaped again trying to explain the best I could.  If you have questions please let me know!  More great videos to come soon!

What you need:

  • Chose of fabric colors and types (I chose three colors
  • 1/4 inch elastic (for gathering of the top of back of the dress)
  • Bias tape (or you can make your own like I did)
  1.  First you want to cut out your fabric pieces.  I looked at another dress I have for my little one and based the main front and back piece by measuring and estimating the sizing.  Then I cut the bottom piece I needed which ended up being about 40inches long and 4 inches wide (for the ruffle on the bottom). I ended up added another color (black) on the two sides of the dress.  Then I also cut out fabric to make bias tape (here is a good tutorial on making bias tape if you’ve never made it before..BIAS TAPE TUTORIAL. )
  3. Take your strap (black piece) and sew it to the top piece and bottom piece.  Pattern piece to pattern piece (facing each other) sew the bottom to the strap
    then the top.
  4. I made my own bias tape by cutting and ironing the fabric.  Then you proceed to use it to line the top of the dress (sew it on!). Then sew up the armholes and long to tie…estimate how long you want the straps to be to tie behind the neck (longer the better!)
  5.  
  6. Take the back side and sew two black (or whatever color you choose) by sewing
    facing pattern sides together
  8. I decided to add a small piece of fabric above the black strap to make it higher .  If you want, sew and connect.  Then place from and back piece facing each other and sew to connect from and back.
  10. Add elastic to back piece if you want it ruched and tighter.
  11. The last part is the bottom ruffled part.
  13. Hem the bottom first about 1/8inch
  14. To gather your fabric put your machine on the longest thread setting make two
    straight lines (Do not reverse!). Roughly 1/4 and 1/8 inch away from the top.
    Leave long threads on the ends.
  15. Next you knot the bottom of the back side of the threads so you can gather, just the two in the back (not the front).
  16. Pull the bottom threads from the other end and slide the cloth along the threads toward your knot making small folds. When your cloth has been
    gathered the way you want it, knot the ends securely with each other.
  18. Sew pattern side to pattern side all the way around.  Then you can zig zag around (or you can zig zag before attaching (this prevents fraying).
  20. Then you are finished! Great Job!  Have fun! Post your pics!
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Hooded Dress (Christmas Theme)

So I didn’t want the same old fancy dresses for Christmas that take FOREVER to make and are uncomfortable.  Therefore, I strolled around the fabric store looking for inspiration.  A tan plaid red and green pattern caught my eye.  For some time I have wanted to make a plaid dress for my little one, but haven’t found the right fit.  However, today, I thought to myself, “How about a comfy hooded dress in plaid?”  And so, the Christmas Plaid dress was born!!!

IMG_3377 IMG_3379 - Copy

 

I designed the dress myself, so be patient with the video since sometimes I change my mind after completing part of the dress.  Oh, you’ll see what I mean when you watch it!  As always, there is a youtube video tutorial and a written and picture form.  The dress pattern is listed below and is a sketch I made of it.  There are several sizes on there, but you can always adjust it by measuring your little one or making it bigger or smaller by moving the lines.

 

What you will need:

  1. The pattern found here–> dress.jpg
  2. Fabric (around 1 yard)
  3. Thread
  4. Sewing machine and scissors
  5. Optional: ribbon, bias tape, buttons, felt, any other decorations, Velcro for hood

 

Lets get started!

  1. Print the pattern and cut out the right size (note: make sure it is the right size for your little one by measuring)
  2. Cut your fabric patterns out as instructed (decide if you want a hood and if you want it detachable.  Also decide if you want long sleeves or no sleeves)
  3. You can serge or zigzag stitch around all the pieces of fabric to prevent fraying. IMG_3287
  4. After zigzaging or serging, sew the top part of the pocket on the main pocket
    parts
  5. If you want a button on your pocket sew them on now before you attach it
  6. Next, make sure you align your pockets on the dress front by measuring in from the sides and from the top and bottom to get them as even as possible.
  7. You can either fold your pocket edges and sew either a straight or zigzag stitch around the pocket leaving the top open, or you can just stitch around it as I have done since I liked the look for the plaid dress.
  8. IMG_3310 IMG_3311
  9. For the hood, have the pattern facing each other on the inside and sew the rounded edge!
  10. Snapshot 1 (11-17-2015 10-01 AM)
  11. Flip right side out and hem or add bias tape to outside
  12. You can sew your hood on fabric pattern facing fabric pattern and sew across and flip right side out, or you can use buttons or velco. You will need to either make button holes or put velcro on the back of the dress to hold the hood.  I used iron on velco.  Note**If you are sewing it on wait until after you sew the front to back**
  13. The front collar of the dress needs to be hemmed or sew bias tape on it
  14. Snapshot 2 (11-17-2015 12-39 PM)
  15. Next, is to sew the front to back of the dress.  If you want the top of the dress to be velcro as well, you can have a jumper (but you wouldn’t have sleeves so skip the sleeve part).
  16. To sew it together, turn patterns facing each other and sew . Also line up sides and pin and sew down underneath the sleeve opening. Then turn right side out.
  17. Snapshot 3 (11-17-2015 1-23 PM)
  18. If you are not doing sleeves, you want to hem or use bias tape on the sleeve holes after sewing down the side. If you are not doing sleeves then hem or use bias tape around the bottom and you are all done!
  19. If you are doing sleeves, turn pattern facing pattern and sew.  Then turn right side out.
  20. Sew the sleeve sides together by facing pattern side to pattern inside. Do not sew the curved part as pointed to in the picture below. Then turn right side out
  21. Snapshot 4 (11-17-2015 7-51 PM)
  22. Turn your body of the dress inside out. Have your sleeve right side out.  Place your sleeve inside the body with the curved open part lining up with the
    armhole.  Sew around.
  23. Snapshot 5 (11-17-2015 7-57 PM)
  24. This picture shows that you want the sleeve facing downward inside the body of the dress.  the larger end to the hole and the smaller end (where the hand comes out) facing downwards.
  25. You can hem or use bias tape on cuffs of sleeves and bottom of dress.  Then add any embellishments you want and wah-la you are done!IMG_3446
  26. Congrats! Feel free to post your pics below!
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