Today is my day! I’m being featured on Melly Sews as a stop in her 30 Days of Sundresses blog tour! If you don’t know about 30 Days of Sundresses you are in for a treat! Every day this month Melly is featuring fresh new patterns & tutorials by different bloggers. The sundresses are for all sizes from kids to women. So much inspiration to make some dresses this summer! Head over to Melly’s blog to get the low down on all sundress tutorials featured and to enter the giveaways as well! Click here to enter this week’s giveaway!
This square neck sundress is a great beginner project for several reasons- it’s easy to make, doesn’t require any couture sewing skills, it has no lining and is just plain cute! Oh, and it comes with a FREE step-by-step video tutorial for you to follow along while I make one. I designed this little dress for my 3 yr old daughter. She is the ultimate girly-girl. Me, not so much. She is the one who likes to get dolled up with a dress, boots and a glittery purse… and then go work in the garden. Yea. My little diva. The idea behind the design was that it be comfortable, easy for her to put on by herself and that it could be dressed up or down. The fabric combinations you use for this dress are key! To give you an example, here are two pictures of my daughter wearing the square neck sundress I made for her in two different fabric combos.
(Left) Dress being used as a swimsuit coverup with flip flops before heading out to the springs. (Right) She styled this outfit herself with a pink stone necklace, colorful bangles and fancy “Elsa” shoes for a family dinner date. So mod!
Now, somewhat of a disclaimer on how I decided to put this dress together. I pretty much break all the garment sewing rules in this one. But bare with me. If you want to go all legit, couture and proper on it, feel free to do so. But I like to keep things simple and as long as they get the job done, it works for me. If you’re a beginner, I think you will appreciate how simple I’ve kept this project. We also live in H-O-T Florida and my kids need 100% cotton, breathable and comfy for everything they wear so, that is the main reason I did not line or face the bodice. That’s just me. You can make it any way you want. With no lining and facing you are probably wondering how I finished it. Well, it’s quite rustic and I love it. Watch the video tutorial to see exactly how I did it.
I’m providing you with the FREE printable PDF pattern for Girls size 4/5.
(FYI- You’ll need to enter your email address and have the PDF emailed directly to you to access it. )
This dress is perfect for an active little girl like mine!
She loves her flowers!
Look at my little fashionista! So sweet!
The dress pattern is broken up into three pieces- the bodice, waistband and skirt. The front and the back of the dress are identical. My daughter likes to dress herself and hates when she does it wrong and someone has to help her so I made it so that this dress wont give her any problem. She can put it on herself and be good to go! Feel free to change up the neckline if you don’t want the front and back to be the same.
It’s really simple to put together:
• Piece your pattern pieces together.
• Cut two of each pattern piece on the fold as instructed by the pattern piece.
• Sew together the front bodice to the front waistline to the front skirt and repeat for the back units.
• Then stabilize the front & back necklines and arm holes.
• Sew together front and back at shoulders and down the sides.
• Use pinking shears to cut close to your seam allowance lines on neckline and arm holes.
If you want to give this dress a try, I’ve got just the thing for you! My step-by-step video tutorial! Click here to watch the video tutorial!
In the video I walk you through all the steps on how to make my square neck sundress so what are you waiting for? Grab some fabric, a ball point needle and give it a go! When you make one post pics to my Facebook page and on Instagram. Tag me : @craftygemini, #craftygemini, #squarenecksundress. I’d love to see your creations!
CLICK TO WATCH VIDEO TUTORIAL.
(P.S.- New to sewing with stretch knit fabrics?? Be sure to watch my video series on Sewing with Stretch Knits. )
Susan
She is the cutest girl ever! Looks a lot like you!
marybaldassar
Just received the pattern for the Square Neck Sundress and I am looking forward to making this
cute little dress. Your daughter is the cutest model. Thanks for inspiring us!
Liz wilson (desi)
She is the cutest!
The dress are adorable. The simplicity is great, I love that you can use casual and dressy fabric to make them look different. Just great!
Bettylou Moore
How can I access your videos? Do you have a site where I can see what you have to share?
Thank you for sharing so many hints for sewing as you went along, hints that can make other projects more successful. I loved the idea of finishing with zigzag stitches instead of facings!
Thank you for your videos!
Bettylou
Cyndi
Vanessa has a channel on You Tube. Search The Crafty Gemini you will find all of her amazing tutorials there.
Vanessa Vargas Wilson
Hi Bettylou! Glad you enjoyed this tutorial. You can find my tutorials on this blog by clicking the “TUTORIALS” tab above. They are sorted by categories. You can also find all the video tutorials on my YouTube channel here: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheCraftyGemini
tesews
Great pattern. Would sergering with poly thread or wolly nylon work on seams and finishing.? Also have you used the fold over elastic on children clothes for neck and sleeves? Would it be too heavy with knit?
HagridsMom
I’ve seen the fold over elastic used with seersucker whichis pretty light. I know they use it on onsies too. I plan to use it oon knits and wovens for myself.
Hillary
How do I size it to the size I need?
Amy Elliott
Vanessa, do you have a place where we can scale down the dress for a younger child? I’m a quilter and am slowly trying to make clothes for my granddaughters. I’ve made you pillowcase dress but it will have to be for next year as I made it too big. I’ve finished 2 of 3 ruffled pillowcase dresses and they are adorable! Love your tutorials! Thanks for your help!
Nisreen
Thank you Vanessa!
Patty Marchionno
So cute ! Love the sundress!