My daughter's friend, M, (an aspiring fashion designer) came to visit us this last weekend. M had some very carefully crafted fashion designs that she was hoping I could help her make into reality. These are her carefully crafted skirts:
I would totally wear the scalloped hem skirt. So cute! |
It's not exactly like her picture, but it turned out really cute and she loves it! We even decided to add some tie sleeves with a funky bead to make it extra tropical feeling:
Now I know that I am in no way the first person to write up a tutorial for making a dress out of pre-smocked fabric, or that experienced sewists will need a tutorial. But I think that sometimes it's nice to have some instruction for even the most basic of craft projects, so I decided to write one up.
You will need about a yard of pre-smocked fabric, four beads, a sewing machine and matching thread. I had my friend buy more fabric then I needed so that I could also make the ties from the extra few inches.
Before you begin, measure your child's chest. M's chest was 21 inches around, and I cut my fabric down to exactly 21 inches, so that it would stretch a little and stay up. Then I cute two, three inch wide strips of fabric from the leftover ends, like this:
Then take each of your three inch strips and cut them down the middle (hot dog style!) so that you have four pieces. These will be your four straps.
Next, if you're using unhemmed fabric like me, fold the bottom of your big piece of fabric over 1/4 inch, the again another 1/4 inch.
Pin it down, then sew.
Take your big piece of smocked fabric and fold it into a tube with the rights sides together. Pin:
Sew it together. I sewed it first with a zig zag stitch to keep it from fraying, then again with a straight stitch like this:
Once you've sewn your smocked fabric into a tube (your dress!) get your four long skinny strips of fabric. Fold both edges together, iron, and fold them together to create your strap:
Do this with all four pieces, and pin them down, then sew.
Next you'll add the beads to the straps. Slide a bead onto each strap and tie a knot to keep it on:
Place your straps where you want them on your dress, and pin in place. I find that it helps to place the straps on the back of the dress a little bit closer together then the front, it helps the straps not to fall off your child's shoulders while they're wearing the dress.
Sew down the straps, I sewed them twice on each strap for extra sturdiness:
Now your dress is done! It actually takes longer to explain it then it does to make, I promise! And when it's done you get this:
And of course, one very happy and proud little girl!
I am linking up at these parties here!
~Jessica
I've never seen a preshirred fabric!!
ReplyDeleteBut your tutorial is simplr and effective ;)
MammaNene
Sergerpepper.blogspot.it
I love making sun dresses for my daughter from pre-shirred fabric. This fabric you found is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I can't take the credit for the fabric, my daughter's friend chose it herself. She's got good taste!
DeleteThis is so cute and so nice of you to make this for your daughters friend! I would love for you to come and share this at our link party Much Ado About Monday.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.huckleberrylove.com/2013/04/much-ado-about-monday-no-3.html
Hope to see you there,
Jamie
Thank you! We will absolutely come link up!
DeleteThanks for coming over to party! Can't wait to see what you have in store for us next week!
DeleteJamie
www.huckleberrylove.com
What beautiful fabric. I wish I had your workmanship when it came to sewing.Your very neat. Thanks for linking up with my Eat.Pray.Love linky :)
ReplyDeleteVery pretty dress. I can't sew and am envious of people who can
ReplyDeleteMollyxxx
Ooh I want to use this tutorial for *me*! :) Maybe for a cute summer top or bathing suit cover-up. I love your easy to follow tutorial newbie or returning sewers like me! Definitely pinning this. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYou could totally use this for yourself and make a cute dress or top! Let us know what you come up with!
DeleteI'm following GFC from Loves On Thursday Blog Hop. please return the favor and follow me back at Evoluchun's Miscellaneous
ReplyDeleteWe sure will! Thank you!
DeleteVery cute. I love the preshirred fabric. We have a link party called Wednesdays Adorned From Above Blog Hop and would love to have you share this and any other posts with everyone. It runs from Tuesday night through midnight Sunday. Here is the link to the party.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.adornedfromabove.com/2013/04/wednesdays-adorned-from-above-blog-hop.html
We hope to see you there.
Debi and Charly @ Adorned From Above
awww... she is so beautiful in this dress!
ReplyDeleteVery cute- the beads give it that extra something! My kid likes to design too- for a while she was buying remnants with her allowance & GLUEING little purses together!!
ReplyDeleteI am glad these dresses are in. I remember my mom doing this for me when I was little. Love them! Thanks for linking up!
ReplyDeleteAdorable dress and how sweet of you to help lil' fashion designer bring her ideas to reality!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing at Sharing Saturday!
Love this. I bought some fabric like this last year at the end a bargain Now I am making the grandchild dresses or tops. Question the strap material. How long should they be
ReplyDeleteWow! This is really beautiful! I'm going to try a dress like this since I bought some pre-smocked fabric. =)
ReplyDeletehttp://eatandtraveltheworldwithfashion.blogspot.com/