A Simple Sundress

A Simple Sundress

I clearly have warm summer days on my mind because lately I've become obsessed with making my daughter's summer wardrobe.  I started with this simple sundress and I've been getting more and more creative.  This sundress is really easy to make and requires almost no sewing skill other than sewing in a straight line.  In my next post I will share a more complicated summer dress and in the next few weeks I'll be posting tutorials on making more dresses, skirts and shorts.  I've included a measurement sheet here with a simple drawing of the dress and places for you to write in the measurements for your little girl.

Supplies:  Cotton fabric, lace, a ribbon, buttons

1.  Cut out two pieces of fabric rectangles.  (Refer to the PDF for the measurements I mention next.)  The first rectangle should be the measurement of the chest and bodice with 3 inches added to the chest measurement and 1 inch added to the bodice measurement.  The second rectangle should be-- Width= two times the chest measurement-- Lenth= one inch longer than the measurement from halfway between the nipples and bellybutton to just below the knees.    

2.  Take the bodice and fold each edge and hem, then fold once more in 1 inch and sew.  Then hem the top of the rectangle and sew the lace to the inside.  

3.  Sew 3 button holes on the fold of the back of the bodice.  I don't have a button-holer on my sewing machine so I sew mine by hand.  If you have a button-holer on your machine you can use it to make your buttons holes.  Sew the buttons to the other side of the bodice.  

4.  Hem the skirt and sew the lace to the inside.

5.  Place the bodice and skirt together face to face.  Gather the skirt and pin it to the bodice.  Then sew them together.  Add a ribbon sash by sewing the ribbon over the seam where the skirt is attached to the bodice.  Leave about 10 inches on each end for tying into a bow.    

6.  Turn the dress inside out and sew the skirt together.  

7.  To make the straps, cut two strips of fabric about 3 inches in width and measured to the child's measurements.  Fold the fabric in three folds and sew down the middle.  Then add the lace by sewing it to the inside of the strap.  

8.  Turn the dress right side out and sew the straps in.

Bodice rectangle with side hemmed.

Skirt rectangle hemmed with lace sewn in.