I have a new dress tutorial to share today! How to make a Simple Shirred Sundress.…
Make a Sweet Summer Sundress in any size w/ this Ruffled Sundress Tutorial!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.
You are on page 2,
Return to the photo-styling page (page 1) to see the dress in action.
Sweet Summer Sundress Tutorial:
- Fabric (1 to 2.5 yards depending on size, length, and width of fabric. I will go into more detail below in the measure and cut section below. The chevron knit fabric I used came from Girl Charlee.)
- Elastic (1/4 to 1/2 inch wide. – Tweens and younger can get away with 1/4 inch, larger sizes should use 1/2 inch)
- scissors, ruler, measuring tape and other basic sewing supplies (ball point needle if sewing w/ knits)
Instructions: (seam allowance is 1/4 inch unless otherwise noted.)
With the right sides of the fabric facing down, line up the top edges of the main dress piece and ruffle. Sew along the edge using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
Flip the ruffle over to the right side and press. To create the casing for a 1/4 inch wide elastic, measure down a scant 1/2 inch and sew a line all the way around the top of the dress, through the ruffle and main dress piece. Leave a 1 to 2 inch gap to insert the elastic. (If you are using 1/2 inch elastic, create a 3/4 inch wide casing.)
Using a safety pin or other tool, thread the elastic through the casing.
Step 3: Adding straps and belt
Fold the strap fabric together as shown below.
Fold over one more time and sew along the edge.
Fold the straps in half, find the middle and cut in half so you have four strap pieces.
Try on the dress and mark where you want the straps to be.
Pin the straps in place and sew above and below the the elastic.
Do this for all four straps and tie a knot it the end of the straps.
Sew the belt together using the same method (except fold the ends in instead of tying knots.)
To hold the belt in place, you can make a little belt loop using an embroidery needle and thread. Or try the dress on and pin the belt in place and attach with a few stitches on each side of the dress.
Optional waistline: On my daughter’s dress, I did not add an elasticized waistline, I let the belt cinch the fabric in. When I make this dress for myself I will add shirring to help define the waistline. To do this, I will try on the dress and mark where I want the shirring to be. If you need a tutorial on how to shir with elastic thread , check out my shirred sundress tutorial. If you want to add a casing with elastic, see how I did that in my tunic top tutorial.
Hem the bottom of the dress with a 1/4 inch hem and you are done!
These were some of the last pictures. I had asked her to sit still while I fiddled with my camera settings. She asked if she could move her toes, I said yes and she thought it was the funniest thing! |
Be sure and leave me a comment if you like this tutorial and if you make a sundress, please come back and share the pictures on facebook, flickr group, instagram or via comment!
Wendy P says
I completely love this! I am addicted to chevron too! Thanks for the great tutorial! Pinning now!
Cathy says
thank you for the great tutorial on the wonderful yet simple summer dress… I will be making some when I get home… our granddaughter will love them and I think i will make one for myself…
Linda Walker says
She looks darling in that tunic. So cute! What a nice compromise for her strapless dress!
Linda
mysewwhatblog
Amber Heidi says
So adorable! The whole outfit put together is just perfect! I pinned this for my little girl and who knows, maybe myself 🙂
Heidi
handmadefrenzy.blogspot.com
Katie Adams says
This is so cute! I would love for you to share this on my weekly link party Blog Stalking Thursday. Thanks for the inspiration!
Van Hoang says
Love what you did with our Black Chevron on White Cotton Jersey Knit!! 🙂
Kim M says
So cute! I love this dress…actually might attempt it for my own strapless-envy crowd! 🙂
HandJ Cobb says
SO cute! I love the black white and pink, and the chevrons! My favorite part is the ruffle at the top. So cute! I'm pinning this!
http://www.domesticblisssquared.com
Mandy Beyeler says
Thanks for linking to Take-A-Look Tuesday over at Sugar Bee Crafts – you were featured today! MOST VIEWED LINK
–Mandy, http://www.SugarBeeCrafts.com
The CSI Girl says
This is beautiful and what a beautiful model. Love the black and white. Love Chevron. Ok, I could go on and on. LOL
You know you have to link up to The CSI Project starting tonight.You just have to!!!!
The challenge is Crafting with patterns. You just might win or make the Top 10.
This is perfect!
http://www.thecsiproject.com
Kristin Hibiske says
Too funny… our girls must like the same things… I posted a tutorial on the train to crazy for a similar style dress except mine was long. 🙂 I love love love the fabric and your girl is totally adorable!!
thehomemakerspost.com says
Beautiful dress and photos. I'd love to be able to sew like that some day. You've inspired to try sewing again:).
Amanda
Heather May says
Now this is a dress I can make! I am no good with patterns and have been avoiding sewing because of it. I think that this will definitely get me back into it. My 5 year old daughter would LOVE this dress! I am hosting today at http://www.frugalfitfamily.com – swing by and share if you can!
Nidhi Jain says
This is gorgeous… Had been thinking of making something for my daughter for Summer!! And viola…I stumbled upon your post…I guess its the easiest for me considering my first attempt at stitching a dress!!! was jittery …but your post has given confidence to go ahead! 🙂
You daughter is so pretty! And I loved that 'can I move my toes' question! 🙂
sunshinendewdrops.blogspot.com
Jamie says
Thank you, good luck on the dress. Come back and leave a comment if you have any questions on the dress!
~Jamie
mikey says
so cute!
Marucci Beard says
Precious! I'm pinning for later. Perfect summer dress.
http://www.princesssplendor.com
A Thrifter in Disguise says
This is so beautiful! I will be trying these as soon as I can. My girls love to wear dresses, and I've made them so many skirts (because they're easier), but they don't wear them that much, because they'd rather wear a dress any day! So I need to get moving on that! I've been admiring Girl Charlee fabrics, too, so I think this is the perfect project for it.
Zoe says
The dress and your daughter are so adorable!
TitiCrafty by Camila says
I LOOOOOVE it!… Gosh it is so cute! I really miss my sewing machine =(… I would do it without thinking! Lovely share! Would you link this up at my Link Party that goes live every Sunday? Your creations are always nice to have it there!!!
Hope you are having a lovely Sunday!
Hugs
Cami @ TitiCrafty by Camila
kikistok says
Love this! I am going to have to make one for me! I would love for you to visit my blog!
Oneofakind-kikistok.blogspot.com
Kiana stoker
Justine of SewCountryChick says
So pretty and comfy for girls!
Jennifer Hughes says
In addition to Monday Kid Corner Weekly Linky Party, this week's theme is MUD. Brush off those archives and link them up at thejennyevolution.com. See you there! Jennifer
Penny Lane says
Love it. Found you through Busy Monday. The top is just perfect. I always love black, white and light pink together. Your daughter is adorable too! Your newest follower, Penny Lane @ SistersRaisingSisters.com
Heather SettingforFour says
Your daughter is so stunning! She really is so photogenic and that sundress looks gorgeous on her! Thanks for sharing at Project Inspired! Hope to see you at tonight's party 8 pm EST!
Clare says
I don't have a little girl but if I did I'd be making this right now. Very cute!
Alice Emma Thompson says
This looks great – such a pretty dress.
I would love for you to link up at the Empty Your Archive party which has children's clothes as one of it's themes this week – Alice @ Mums Make Lists x
Aleks says
Awesome dress! Thanks for sharing! I'm going to make a few of these for my niece! Visiting from the Mad Skills Linky Party!
Rebecca @ My Girlish Whims says
Thanks so much for linking up to Your Whims Wednesday – i featured this on my blog tonight! Come stop by and grab a featured button 🙂 http://www.mygirlishwhims.com/2013/05/your-whims-wednesday-112-and-features.html
Kathy Moody says
This is so adorable, and the chevron print! Amazing job. Thanks so much for sharing at A Bouquet of Talent.
Hugs
Kathy
Carrie says
So cute!! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!!
Chelsea @ Making Home Base says
I love this sundress! It is even something I could whip up for my 1 year old I think. Thanks so much for sharing this tutorial!
kristi dominguez says
I just love this, Jamie. So pretty!
srushti says
She is so pretty. My eyes go to her 🙂
Jennifer Walker says
Love this! If I make an adult size, would I do the shirring just on the sides of the dress or all the way around the waist area? Seems like it would look funny all the way around…
Jamie says
Definitely shirr all the way around. I have done this many times, it doesn't look funny. (this is an example of shirring under the bust, all the way around.)
~Jamie
Jamie says
oops, here is the example: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RMPxSUzcirk/TdV4ecLNUgI/AAAAAAAAAlA/49JvskBAIAk/s1600/039.JPG