- Take the sleeve fabrics pieces and use something round like a bowl to round off the edges
- Cut along the line
- Put 2 fabric pieces right side together
- Sew all around, leaving an opening on the straight side of the fabric, to turn the fabric right side out
- Turn the fabric right side out and top stitch to close the sleeve opening
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- Gather the sleeve using a loose stitch setting on your machine. Back stitch at one end, where you start sewing the loose stitch. When finish stitching, leave at least 6 cm = 2″ long thread out. Pull fabric with one hand and on one thread with the other hand. Gather as much as you like.
- Repeat for the other sleeve
- Take your bodice, place the sleeve in between outer and inner bodice fabric, with the outer right side out, pin the sleeve centered on the hole for the neck and sew in place
- Place the outer bodice over and stitch all the way through, stopping 2 cm = 1″ at the ends
- Take your skirt fabrics and serge on all sides or fold fabric twice as indicated above to finish the seams. If you use a serger, fold fabric twice only on the hem. Sew 2 stitches on the hem.
- Gather the skirt fabrics so that they match the bodice’ width
- Take bodice and place right side out
- Place gathered skirt fabric right side out in between bodice fabrics and stitch to the inner bodice fabric.
- Place outer bodice over and stitch again
- Now it should all look like this and all you have to do is stitch the sides together, starting from the hem and stopping 7 cm past the body. I wanted this dress to be a surprise to my daughter and took the chance, I didn’t have her try it on before sewing the sides but I suggest you don’t skip this step as your dress might need some adjusting. If all fits well, just sew the sides up.
And you’re done!! Enjoy your hard work and give yourself a good pat on the shoulder! I found this an intermediate project for a beginner sewist. Let me know how your flutter sleeve dress turned out, I’d love to see photos. Here’s my little angel modeling the dress which by the way she’s crazy about! Yay!
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Millie MacKenzie says
Can You please give me directions (pattern pieces) for this dress in size 6 mo. – 12 mo.; 12 mo- 18 mo.; 18 mo.- 24 mos. or size 2, please. I am used to sewing with commercial patterns and right now would be worried to cut material if I am not sure of the sizes, etc.
I would appreciate any help you could give me. Thanks.
Millie MacKenzie
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Phone 506-292-2640
Petro says
Hi, Millie. My instructions are for a 4T dress. You can use my measurements as a starting point. To make your patterns smaller or larger, add or subtract about 1″ to/from the length and the width and only 1/2″ to/from neckline. Hope this helps.
Deborah W. says
This is such a cute dress. I love the button closure on the back especially with the contrasting material. She makes a sweet model. Keep up the good work!
Petro says
Hi, Deborah! Thanks so much for your kind comment, it just made my day! xoxo
Linda says
So the sides are sewn together from under the arm down to the hem on each side and it just pulls over the head to put on and take off?
Petro says
Hi Linda. You’ll sew the sides together, starting from the hem up, but stopping about 3″ after you pass the bottom of the bodice. Then you can pull the dress over the head and take off with ease since you have the slit in the back of the bodice.
Linda says
Got it.
Thank you!
Remrafs says
I love this dress! I’ll be making one for my grand daughter! I also love the fabric but don’t know where to get it – what fabric is it and where is it stocked?
Petro says
Thanks so much! I got the fabric at a local store and it’s actually a bed sheet 🙂
Maeve says
I got it in the end hah had to sleeo on it. Turned out perfectly! I had to leave the bofice sides open as was too tight but still do cute
Petro says
I’m happy you figured it out! I love this dress, so cute!
Maeve says
Hi i dont understand “Sew the fabrics together with a 0.50 cm = 1/8″ seam allowance, around the hole and line.” I tried this and i cant turn in side out if i sew the sew around the circle… can you explain?
Petro says
Hi Maeve. I’m so sorry you’re having troubles figuring this out. Trying to explain it better here: Make sure fabrics are right side together. Sew around the hole (neckline) and continue sewing around the slit. Then take the top fabric and push it inside the hole (neckline) until the fabrics are wrong side together. You’ll need to push the corners made by the slit with a blunt tool. Hope this helps. If not let me know and I’ll try to find another way to explain better.
Summerdays says
What a gorgeous little model! Thanks for an easy to follow tutorial with clear photos!
Petro says
Thanks so much! I’m happy you liked my tutorial 🙂
Alexis says
About what size does this pattern make? What size does your little girl wear normally wear in dresses?
Petro says
Hi Alexis. My daughter now wears size 5 but she was a size 4 when I made the dress.
Pam @Threading My Way says
A pretty little dress with those gorgeous flutter sleeves.
Michelle F. says
What a beautiful little model! She looks so happy in her dress. I will be trying to make one for my daughter.
Petro says
Thanks so much Michelle. I’m sure yours will turn out more beautiful than mine 🙂