Girl’s A-line Sheath Dress Tutorial and PDF Pattern (in sizes 3-7)
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.
Learn how to sew a simple A-Line Sheath dress with this free Girl’s A-line Dress Pattern and Tutorial!
(Looking for more free patterns? Be sure to check out my free patterns and tutorials page here.)
A few months back, I was shopping at Joanne’s and came across this cute Madras plaid fabric. Madras is one of my favorite fabrics for boy/girl coordinating outfits. I grabbed two yards and (with the 40% coupon- madras is expensive…) I figured 2 yards would be enough fabric for a simple pair of shorts and an A-line dress. (She had the cutest little A-line dress from Crazy 8 that I wanted to try to duplicate.) I put off making the outfits all summer. I finally got them done in time for a back to school photo session.
I’m so glad I got these pictures done. I have a feeling this will be one of the last times I’ll be able to get them in matching outfits. (My 8 year old son announced that this is “embarrassing”… ) You can see a couple more posts featuring brother/sister outfits here.
The final fit of the dress is absolutely perfect. I will say, I had a bit of trouble making the pattern. If my heart hadn’t been set on using this fabric, I would probably have scrapped the first dress and just started another. The dress is lined, so there was a ton of seam ripping going on.
The first error was just carelessness. I was working too fast and not really paying attention. I had serged all four side seams of the dress before I realized I was supposed to flip the dress right side out before sewing the sides seams. I’m sure you know, it’s no fun ripping out serged seams.
The second issue was a problem with the fit of the arm holes. (They were too small and there was too much fabric across her chest.) I had finished the dress and top-stitched everything. (Now that they are back in school, my little fit model has reduced availability.) I had to take apart the entire dress and re-cut the armholes.
The dress is a really nice fit now and I know she will still be able to wear it next summer.
What I love about this style dress is that it’s such a great wardrobe piece to help transition into fall. It’s still so hot here, (I just checked out 8 day forecast, we will be over 100 for several days next week, but lucky us, they are predicting a cool down by next Sunday- it will only be 97. 
)
If and when the weather ever cools off, she will be able to add a cardi for the cool mornings and just take it off when the day warms up. (I have a gathered cardigan tutorial here.)
The free pattern comes in sizes 3/4, 5/6 and 7.
Ready to sew the pattern? Head over to page 2 to go the pattern download or page 3 for the sewing instructions.
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TheKimSix Fix says
I love this dress! And the fabric you chose was divine!
Jamie says
Thanks, good luck!
~Jamie
LittleLucyGoosey says
I love this dress! Thank you so much for sharing! I am going to make this for my girl's Easter dress (nothing like leaving it for the last minute!), and I don't have matching buttons – do you think I could easily replace them w a zipper wo ruining the line of the dress
Jamie says
You could definitely do a zipper, you would probably need to remove a bit of the extra fabric on the back, since it was meant as an overlap/button placket
Good luck,
Jamie
Allison Miller says
I can't even begin to tell you how much I love your blog! Every time I'm looking for a pattern for my girls, I find what I want on your site!! Thank you so much for sharing your patterns and tutorials with the world, they're wonderful 😀
Jamie says
Thank you for stopping by with such a sweet comment Allison, you made my night!
~ Jamie
Shahidul Islam says
best dress is,
thanks,
Corinnea says
Very cute!!
Beth Cavanaugh says
Such a great pattern–I just made two of them in a row! You can see my altered one on my blog: http://bethbeingcrafty.blogspot.jp/2014/09/totoro-totoro.html Thanks so much for sharing this for free–that is really generous!
Marsha says
I love your free patterns. I live off disability and patterns can get expensive especially for 9 grand kids and 2 great grandkids. Your models are adorable.
Thank you so much for all your ideas. I love Pinterest and of course follow you.
Sherry Smith says
Love your patterns! Could you make this dress without buttons (just slip over the head) and reversible?
Jamie says
Thank you! You could do buttons halfway down, but the pattern as drawn, does not have enough ease to slip over the head.
Sue says
Thank you, Jamie, for the cute girls’ dress patterns. I got the A Line Sheath and the Peasant Dress. I am going to be using them to make dresses for donations to the Hurricane Harvey shelters. I have years of fabric, as most of us sewists have, that will make cute dresses. I appreciate you offering these for free. They are both very cute.
Jamie says
That’s an amazing gesture, thank you!
You probably don’t know, but I am from Port Aransas where the hurricane 1st came on land. My family and friends still live there. My brother’s home had 2′ of water plus sewage in his home and lost the roof. All possessions are ruined. Both my sister and law and mother in law’s homes have sustained damage as well.
We are grateful for any type of help for all the areas affected.
Thanks again, Jamie
Pat says
What a delight to find such a cute dress pattern for free!! I look forward to making it for my granddaughter. Thank you!
zamani says
Hi, Jamie, it seem i can’t find the download link for the pattern, and im not browsing using mobile phone. please help. 🙂
Jamie says
My Apologies! I switched to a different pattern delivery system last week and accidentally left out this pattern. Give me 20 minutes and it will be back on line!
Patti says
Any instructions on how to bump this lovely pattern up to an 8 or 9?
Thanks
Meg says
I downloaded the pattern and purchased fabric; now to confirm the pattern measurements with my grand-daughter’s measurements, age 7. I will post a pic here if you wish. I do not use social media.
Thank you very much for the pattern!
Jamie says
You are welcome and good luck. This is one of the patterns on my list to add some larger sizes for very soon.
Meg says
Hi Jamie,
Well, it looks like your sheath dress will be used for my 3 grand-daughters for a 1920’s Father/daughter dance/party next Feb. 2020. Their Mom plans to make the sheaths and add fun layers of swishy trims for the 20’s affect.
So, have you had the chance to make this up to size 12? Please let me know. (I made the flamingo dress posted in your comments in May 2019)
Meg
Meg S says
Made it for my 6 year old GD with her choice of ‘flamingos’ fabric. Really cute.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/315322411410948458/activity/tried
Jamie Sanders says
That is adorable! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Carolyn says
Thank you very much for the pattern and tutorial. But I must say, that was not a good choice of fabric to show illustrations.
Patti Blankenship says
Hi Jamie. Thank you so much for offering so many adorable patterns and for FREE!!! It is so appreciated! I have printed several of your patterns and made dresses. My granddaughter is now 8 years old, and I was wondering if you have made this pattern in larger sizes yet? I made one for her last year using this pattern, and I even had the same fabric! But she has outgrown this size. Her birthday is in April and I’m wanting to get started making her some new dresses. I know you are very busy, and making the patterns larger has to be labor intensive.
I just want to say again THANK YOU for all you do to help us fellow-seamstresses. I really appreciate it
Your daughter is growing up into such a lovely young woman. Watching her grow up has been an added benefit in following you. I know you are proud of her!
Blessings,
Patti
Catherine Hart says
Thankyou so much for your generosity in sharing this pattern. I am a novice seamstress and this is the 1st dress I’ve ever made. Thank you!