It probably would have been cheaper..

It probably would have been cheaper to buy a little dress at Target but then I wouldn't have had the pleasure of making it.

 

 The fabric was from back in the days when I was working as a buyer for dress fabric in a Department Store, 1980's, light poly-cotton.  Great for washing, drying in the dryer and no need to iron.  I added a 3" hem so it can be let down as she grows. 

How did I make it? 

I took her measurements;

1. chest at armpit   +   1 inch for ease   (20")
2. length from armpit to approx waist   + 1" for hem and seam allowances (5 1/2')
   
3. length from armpit to mid knee    +  hem  allowance  (14"+3"hem)

Cut the fabric

fabric 1 (pink check)

 Measurement No 2, In this case 5 1/2 " deep across the width of the fabric (selvedge to selvedge 45" )

 fabric 2   (flower print)

Measurement No 3  less measurement 2 , in this case 12",  across the fabric to match fabric 1.

4 pieces 15" x 2" for straps

Construction - straps

Sew straps so that they have a finished size of about 3/4". 

There are lots of different ways you can do this, so quick some slow. 

I like to sew the slow way.

I sew  together the edges on the wrong side and then turn through.

Iron flat with the seam now placed in the middle of the strap. 

 

 

I push a small amount of fabric back into the strap at one end and then sew close to the edge all the way around.  Put aside to attach later.

 

 

Construction - Body

Sew two pieces of fabric together across the width, neaten edge and top stitch the seam.  Over-lock or neaten around the whole piece.

Turn over small hem at top edge and sew down with a straight stitch.

 

Using tailors chalk or some other removable marker,

Mark 7 lines across fabric  at equal distances from each other as a guide for attaching the shirring elastic,  (see note at end).

After shirring the width should be about your chest at armpit measurement.  (Make sure you remove the marked lines at this point.)

Sew the edges together matching the elastic ends.  I then sew this seam flat so it doesn't irritate the wearer.

Turn up your bottom hem at a measurement equal to the length from armpit to mid knee.  I added a wide hem so that it could be let down.

Attaching the straps

 The join in the fabric now sits at centre back

Measure in 1 1/2" from the side and attach the front straps to the top hem.  I turn my ends under and sew around the edge to do this.

Place your back straps to sit just inside your front staps and attach.

With all those words you can see why it took so long.  I'm sure I would have been quicker if I hadn't been in this wheelchair.

Now I need to make a little flower to go onto a hair-clip to finish it off.

Note about shirring

Nearly every sewing machine manufacturer has a different recommended method of doing this.  Some wind the elastic onto the bobbin, some have a special foot attachment.  In some classrooms I would have 4 or 5 different machine brands and some of them were so old that shirring elastic hadn't been invented, so I devised this method for old machines and no attachments.

Set you machine to zig zag at about 2.5 length and 1.8 width.  The needle should swing just either side of the elastic.

Tie a knot at the starting end and zig zag into position using your marked line as a guide.  Leave a tail of about 5".  Do this for each line. DO NOT GATHER AS YOU SEW.

Make sure the beginning of each piece of elastic is secure by sewing a line of straight stitch down the edge.

Pull up your elastic like gathering thread to the size required and secure the ends. If you pull the fabric top and bottom you will find that the elastic will align itself.

Of course if you have a machine that does shirring just use the recommended method.

Comments

[Rachel]

My mother made me a dress like this when I was little!

[Carolyn Foley]

Yes, fashion goes round and round.