Knit Everyday Dress

My 3 year olds have a favorite dress from Gap Kids and I decided to try my hand at duplicating a version of with some of my knit from Patti Young. First make your pattern. I used the dress I was trying to duplicate but you could grab any tank top of your kids. Fold it in half and trace to make the bodice pattern. I wanted a more boat neckline so I did a higher neck.

Place your pattern on fold and cut out 2. If you want a lower neckline in the front and higher in the back just make a back pattern and front pattern with a lower neckline and cut out one of each.

With right sides together sew shoulder seams. Finish edges with serger {i honestly don't think you need to finish the edges if you don't have a serger. Knot doesn't fray}

To make lining for the neckline use your the neckline of your top to trace and make a lining piece. Cut two of these.

Match up the lining pieces to the neckline. Pin the pieces at ends so you know where to sew them together. You want the pieces to match up with the neckline once you sew them together.

Put your lining pieces right sides together and sew on the short side. If you have a serger, serge around the outside of the lining piece {not the side you will attach to the neckline}

Pin your lining to the neckline, right sides together and sew around the neckline.

Fold the lining toward the inside of the dress...iron and then top stitch.

On the backside cut a slit

Serge raw edges. Fold raw edges in 1/4 of an inch. I like to start from the center and work my way toward the outside. On one side sew an elastic loop. Then starting from the inside sew your way back to the other side. Hand sew a button to the other side.

Sorry I forgot to picture this but to make your sleeve pattern take your top and open it all the way up. Trace along the round side where the sleeve will go. This will give you a U looking shape. Cut two of these. I surged the raw edges and folded them in 1/4" and then top stitched

If you are making this for someone at home try your top on your cute and measure the distance from thee bottom to the length you want. I decided to make my skirt part 9 1/2" long. for the width and did 4 x's the width of my top so I would have plenty of room for pleating and the skirt would have some twirl.

First finish the hem of the skirt part. I surged and then folded up. I used a double needle to top stitch but you could use a regular strait stitch or even a zigzag stitch.

Then sew the short ends together, right sides together.

Pin the skirt to the top {right sides together} I like to start by matching up the side seam and pinning both sides so there is an equal amount of fabric in the front and the back.

To pleat just pull a piece over about 1/2" and pin.

Sew the skirt piece to your top and you are DONE!!

Perfect for Twirling

Or Strutting down the street {in tap shoes}

And a super simple headband complete the outfit!

{I hope that this tutorial made sense. Please let me know if you have questions!!}

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