Summer Dress
Make Your Own Summer Dress
Supplies:
An inexpensive, ready-made tank or camisole that fits you (Target is your best bet!)
One yard of 1” wide elastic (black, white, nude, or even a contrast color if you want!)
1/2 yard of cotton printed fabric of your choice (we chose a fun Hawaiian print!)
2 yards of a cotton lace, crochet, or pom pom trim (1/4” to 1” wide, your choice!)
A sewing machine that can do a zig zag stitch (to apply the elastic waistband.)
Instructions:
Follow these easy step by step instructions (watch the video below for tips & have your Mom assist you):
Make your pattern on a large sheet of kraft paper: For a youth size 7/8, draw a center line that is 14 1/2” long. Next, draw a horizontal waist line at the top that is 21” (10.5” on each side of center line.) Next, draw a 24 1/2” horizontal hem line at the bottom (12 1/4” on each side of center line.) Now, connect your top and bottom lines at each side to create a side seam. Your final shape should look like a symmetrical trapezoid (an isosceles trapezoid.)
Cut out your paper pattern
Place your paper pattern on your fabric making sure your center line is parallel to the selvage (finished edge of fabric.) Pin and cut out 2 (front and back.)
For french seams: sew wrong sides of fabric together (front to back) along side seams using 1/4” seam allowance. Turn inside side out and press seams flat, then sew another 1/4” along sides. Now you have a beautiful seam on the inside and out!
Along top waist, sew 3 rows of gathered stitching (your machine’s widest stitch) around the waist; one row 1/2” below top edge, one 1/4” above it, and another 1/4” below it so three rows are evenly spaced.
On one end, secure the 3 rows of thread while you pull from the other end to create gathers at the waist. You will gather in your waist to approximately 22” so you can apply your elastic. Make sure you evenly distribute the gathers around the waist.
Cut your elastic 23” and sew ends together with a zig zag stitch to create a finished circle that measures 22” (or 11” flat.)
Pin the finished elastic to the top of your gathered skirt (right side of fabric) 1/2” below top edge of skirt (this is your 1/2” seam allowance.)
Zig zag stitch the elastic along the bottom edge applying it to your skirt.
Now pin the elastic waist of your skirt to the pre-made tank top approximately 14” below the highest point of the top’s shoulder
Please note: you can try on the tank and slip on the skirt and pin to exactly where you want it at the natural waist.
Zig zag stitch the top part of your elastic waistband to the knit top along the elastic’s edge.
Turn your dress inside and trim the excess of your knit top so you’re left with 1/2” seam allowance below your elastic waistband.
Next up, apply your lace trim to the bottom hem of your dress. First pin your trim 1/4” above the bottom edge all around skirt, meeting your ends at one of the sides seams.
Stitch your trim along its edge to fasten it to your skirt. At the side seam, overlap your lace ends for a clean finish.
Voila, a beautiful dress is made!
