Tutorials

So with Easter coming up I decided that it would be little bit more special if I made Reagan's dress  myself. I also wanted to post a tutorial so that if anyone else would like to make this dress for a special girl in their life, they would have the instructions to do so. I made this dress out of a polyester chiffon that I got for 1 dollar a yard for and and old bedsheet laying around the house that had a hole in it. I'm also going to show how I made this draped bodice. In total fabric notions and all I payed about $1.25. Pretty sweet deal for and Easter dress right?

To make the front bodice pattern I took Reagan's chest measurement and divided by 4 and added 2 1/2 inches for ease and seam allowances and that number was the width. Then I just drew it out to look like top of a basic spagetti strap top without strap. For the back I just made a plain rectangle as tall as the side of the front bodice and a little bit wider so it would overlap in the back for snaps. You could make it the same width and do loops and buttons.

Cut 2 front bodice and 4 back bodice out of you lining fabric.Mine was the sheet.

Divide bodice into 1/2 inch strips

Cut into strip then glue the strip onto another piece of paper 1/2 apart.

Cut out your new pattern piece. For the back I just doubled the height of my pattern piece, sorry no pic. These pattern pieces are for your overlay.

Then cut 1 from you overlay fabric for the front bodice and 2 for your back bodice.

Then take your overlay piece and pleat it and pin to one of you lining pieces. Right sides both facing up.(My name is Sara and I'm an overpinner)

Then sew each side close to the edge, a line down the middle and along the top and bottom. Then trim away any excess overlay fabric.

Then I pleat and pin both back bodice pieces.

Then sew all the way around it, and trim away any excess overlay fabric.

Now for the strap cut 2 strip of lining fabric 3 inches wide and 10 inches long; same for the overlay.

Then right sides together sew down each side(1/2 inch seam allowances), trim the seam allowances, turn right side out and then topstitch close to the edge(about 1/8 an inch away)

Now to put the front bodice together take the pleated bodice piece and the other lining piece and put right sides together and sandwich the strap in between them. You want to make strap's right side is facing the pleated side of you bodice. Now that everything is in place sew along the top side. Trim seam allowances clip curve turn and press. You should have this.

Now for attaching the straps to the back bodice. You might want to measure and adjust them so they fit correctly I did. Sandwich the straps between the back bodice pieces again making sure the right side are facing. Sew across the top and down the sides that are going to overlap.

Trim the allowances clip corners turn and press.

Take the front bodice and back bodice open them up match the seams right sides facing and then sew them together( I used 1/2 seam allowances). Do this for both sides.

Trim allowances Turn and press.

Topstich around the top of the bodice. You don't have to do this but it does make the dress look more RTW.

On to the skirt portion. My skirt piece were both 21 inches long and 50 inches wide. This part you can change up depending how long or full you want your skirt.

Take the 2 skirt pieces lay them on top of each other right side of the overlay facing the wrong side of your lining. On each of the short sides of the skirt panels sew the two pieces together 5 inches down using a 1/2 inch seam allowance angling to the edge at the bottom.

Turn and press then topstitch.

Now we are going to sew the skirt together.Fold your skirt piece in half.we are going to do the overlay first.  I did a french seam because I think it looks best for sheer fabric. It does get a bit tricky when you get to the point were you have already sewn the lining and overlay together but just be careful and it should come out fine.Then sew the lining pieces together andeither serge or zig zag to secure the raw edges.

We are getting close. I put snaps in the back as a closure, but like I said before you could do loop and buttons or you could do buttonhole. I was nervous that buttonhole would mess up the chiffon and pleating. Plus snaps are so easy with a toddler.

 Then gather the skirt so it is the same size as your bodice; attach the skirt to the bodice. You can either serge or use a zig zag stitch to secure raw edges.

Hem the bottom. I added lace of course this is optional.

Goodbye

Whew! That seemed long.I also made a sash and a hair bow to go with it, you can see those in the first pic. I would love some feedback. Was this tutorial helpful? Too long? Too many pictures? Comments are always welcomed. Have a great day .

Sara