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Sewing ->
Measurements needed:
bust (A)
length from underbust to mid-thigh (B)
This dress is for children, for adults, you need different and more measurments.
Materials Needed:
* all fabrics are normal width (45 inches or so)
10 inches of one center printed fabric ( for straps also)
1/4 yard each of 3 different printed fabrics
12 inches solid color fabric (I usually get 1 1/2 yards to make pants too)
measuring tape
12+ inches of 3/8 or 1/2 inch wide ribbon to match
Sections to this sewalong:
a. straps
b. skirt
c. bodice
d. attach skirt to bodice
e. finish up
VERY IMPORTANT: prewash and iron all fabrics before beginning. All measurements allow for 1/2 inch seam allowance.
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The Straps
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1.Lay out the center fabric. Cut 2 strips 3 inches wide down the length.
(My center fabric is this vintage flower print)
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2.Fold in half length-wise, right sides together. Sew one end closed and along the length.
Turn right side out and iron. Set aside.
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Create The Skirt
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Here, you want to end up with 4 strips measuring B+1" long by approximately 4" wide. This is how I do it, so they all are the same and cut at the same time- super easy, but not precise.
1.Fold your printed fabrics in half with the short ends together. Cut along the end and sides to make the fabric all the same size. Cut it at a length of B+1"
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2.Cut the fabric in half lengthwise.
Cut the leftover center fabric to B+1" X 4 1/2"
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4.Sew the strips together in a pattern until you have approximately 2xA in length. It doesn't have to be exact.
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5.Start with the center strip and sew the next one on. To conserve thread and time, then take the match to the second piece and sew the third fabric on, sewing continuously from one strip to the next.
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6.If you didn't understand instructions 4 and 5, then start with your center piece and sew half of the skirt, then finish the other side. End up with one long strip of fabrics
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7.Press seams open or zig zag or serge them. Hem the 2 sides of the skirt.
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8.Sew two strips along the top, about 1 inch from the top and then about 1 inch lower than that with a stitch width of 5 (or the longest your machine goes)
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9.Mark the center of the skirt and then pull the bobbin threads to gather. Set aside.
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Create the Bodice
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1.Cut a strip of your solid color fabric measuring 5" X A-1.
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2.Fold in half. Measure in from fold about 4". Cut the armhole, down about 2 inches and out to the end of the bodice.
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3.*You should use pins for this part. Get the straps. Pin the open end of the straps between the two bodice layers at the top of the bodice, between 1/2" and 3/4" from the edge.
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4.Cut 3 strips of the ribbon, 4 inches long. Fold in half.
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5.Put the folded edge of the ribbon inside the bodice. Leave 1/2 inch extended. Pin in place, three on each side.
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6.Sew the bodice together. Reinforce the seams around the straps and the ribbon.
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7.Clip corners and seams.
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8.Turn right side out and topstitch. Mark the center of the bodice.
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Attach the Skirt to the Bodice
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1.Pin the ends of the skirt to the ends of the bodice.
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2.Match the center of the bodice with the center of the skirt. Adjust the gathering of the skirt to match the length of the bodice. Sew in place. You can baste if you like, then sew.
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3.Zig zag or serge the edge for stability.
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4.Pull out the gathering threads slowly.
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Finish Up
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