I went to Joann's and picked up some linen and elastic (okay, okay, I didn't 'pick-up' anything; my mom drove me there and I had to beg for some money--not to mention the fact that I printed out a coupon before we left). I only got a yard because it was expensive--$7.99 for a yard! It was 54" wide. There was a sale and the total was a little over $6 with tax. I wasn't sure if it was enough to make the dress, but I planned it out for once. My inspiration:
My dress definitely doesn't look like this. Don't I wish. sigh... My sister says the final product looks like a cute potato sack. Great. I love to wear fashionable vegetable carriers.
This dress doesn't consist of many pieces. You should get more than 1 yd, but if you're making this for a kid, then 1 yd is fine. The dress is a simple design. Sew let's get started...
Materials: 1 yd of linen or light-weight fabric, at least 54" wide; ribbon or binding/bias tape; elastic; scissors; ruler; sewing machine; thread; pins
A Joann's coupon would be nice, too.
1. Take your fabric, and with the 54" on top, cut out 4 pieces.
A: Chest measurement + 8" + 2" x 34"
B: Chest measurement + 8" x 34"
C: Sleeve piece. Mine was 7" x 18" You should measure around your shoulder and armpit and determine the length.
D: Sleeve piece
Save some fabric for pockets.
2. With piece A, cut out your v-neck. Now cut 1/2" under the v-neck, right across the front, so you have 2 trapezoids attached in the middle and a rectangle. Take your 2 trapezoids and trim 1" off the sides.
3. Baste across the top of your rectangle from A and pull slightly so it gathers a bit. It should measure the width of piece B across the top. Now take your piece that looks like two trapezoids connected and pin the edges to the center of your gathered rectangle, right sides together. Sew along the pinned edges, and flip the trapezoids up so you now have the front of your shirt.
4. Take piece B and make a small scoop for the back of your neck, making sure it's not bigger than your v neck. With right sides together, sew A and B together at the shoulder. Mark 9" down from the shoulder for your sleeve hole, and mark with a pin. Starting from the pin, sew to the bottom of your shirt.
5. Take pieces C and D, and fold it in half for your sleeve. Sew it onto your shirt. Shorten the sleeve as desired.
6. Sew 1" casings on the sleeves and the bottom of the shirt, and insert elastic so it gathers a little, and you have slightly puffy, gathered sleeves and balloon-like bottom.
7. Sew ribbon or your bias tape along the neckline to bind it. My ribbon came from a Nordstrom's box, you know, the silver ribbon tied in bows. I also added a belt. However, this stuff frays like crazy. Beware. Add pockets and done! Hope you liked the tutorial. :)
