Free sewing tutorial and pattern toddler dress with peter pan collar


Materials:
* Fabric Michael Miller, Gnomeville (fabric width: 112 cm)
   46 cm - (Size 6 months  - 9 months)
   92 cm - (Size 12 months - 7Y)
   138 cm - (Size 8Y -11Y) 
* Plain white cotton fabric (lining)
* Zipper - 30 cm (12 inch)

Chosing a clothing size:
The European clothing size is equal to the length of your child in cm, measured without shoes. Always chose a size larger than the size of your child, unless the size of your child is exactly the same as the clothing size. Children clothes don't come in small, medium, large and extra large. The patterns on my website are sized medium, unless otherwise specified. Is your child bigger than average, chose one size larger and shorten the bottom of the dress with 2 cm (1 inch).

Instructions:
Download the free sewing pattern from the list below.  Set your printer settings to A4 paper.

(EU size 68) (US 6 months)
(EU size 74) (US 9 months)
(EU size 80) (US 12 months)
(EU size 86) (US 18 months)
(EU size 92) (US 2T)
(EU size 98) (US 3Y)

Double-click images to enlarge.

Step 1: Draw the pattern.
Print the sewing pattern in landscape mode at 100% on A4 paper or US Letter. Draw the pattern with an aqua trickmarker on the back of the fabric. Draw a front piece and a left and a right back piece on the back of both fabrics. Also draw four collar pieces on the Michael Miller Gnomeville fabric. Please notice that both parts should be mirrored.

The pattern is without seam allowance. Add 1 cm (5/8 inch) seam allowance. Add 2 cm (1 inch) seam allowance to the bottom of the dress and the middle of the back pieces. 


Step 2: Cut the fabric.
Cut a front piece and a left and a right back piece out of both fabrics. Also cut the four collar pieces out of the Michael Miller Gnomeville fabric.

Step 3: Pin the collar pieces together.
With right sides facing, pin the collar pieces together.

Step 4: Sew.
Sew.

Step 5: Top-stitch.
Turn right-side out. Top-stitch.

Step 6: Pin down the left en right back pieces to the front piece.
With right sides facing, pin down the left en right back pieces to the front piece.

Step 7: Sew the sides of the dress and the shoulder seams.
Sew the sides of the dress and the shoulder seams.

Step 8: Flip the dress right side out.
Flip the lining right side out.

Step 9: Attach the collar to the outside of the dress.
Pin the collar in place. Attach the collar to the outside of the dress by sewing it to the dress just above the neckline.

Step 10: Pin the right and left back pieces together.
With right sides facing, pin the right and left back pieces together.


Step 11: Sew.
Sew together. Leave the upper 30 cm (12 inch) open.

Step 12: Trim.
Trim.

Step 13: Left: Front view.  Right: Rear view.
Pin the neckline of the outer dress and lining together with right side facing.

Step 14: Left: Front view. Right: Rear view.
Sew the neckline.

Step 15: Turn right-side out.
Turn the dress right-side out. Top-stitch the neckline. Leave 4 cm (1 1/2 inch) open at the back for inserting the zipper later on.

For finishing the armholes you can chose one of the methods below:

Method A:
Step A1: Fold the seam allowance of the armholes to the inside.
Fold the seam allowance of the armholes to the inside. Pin the armholes (outside of the dress and lining) together with wrong sides facing.

Step A2: Top-stitch.
Top-stitch.

Method B:
Cut off the seam allowance of the armholes. Finish off with a bias strip.

Method C: (Please note: recommended only for advanced sewers!)
Pull the left armhole out through the opening at the bottom of the dress or trough the opening for the zipper. Sew together, right sides facing.  Pull back. Repeat for the right armhole. Top-stitch.

Step 16: Fold the seam allowance at the bottom of the dress to the inside.
Fold the seam allowance at the bottom of the dress to the inside.  Pin outside of the dress and lining together with wrong sides facing.

Step 17: Sew.
Sew.

Step 18: Fold the seam allowance of the back pieces to the inside. 
Fold the seam allowance of the right and left back pieces to the inside. Pin the outside of the dress and the inside of the dress together with wrong sides facing.

Step 19: Shorten the zipper.
Trim the upper part of the zipper. (Do not cut the zipper teeth!)

Step 20: Put the zipper in position and pin down.
Put the zipper in position and pin down.

Step 21: Sew the zipper in place.
Sew the zipper in place. Use a zipper foot.

© small dreamfactory
intended for non commercial use only 

24 comments:

  1. je trouve les modèles superbes, dommage que je ne sache pas où trouver de si jolis tissus
    peut-être pouvez vous m'aider pour la France? ou peut-on en faire venir de l'étranger?
    en tout cas félicitations pour ce site!!!

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  2. I love this dress! Shame it is not in size 12 and 10!

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  3. I love this dress! Any idea how I could scale it up to a 5/6?

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  4. me gusta felicidades
    gracias

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  5. Hello, your blog is beautiful and you did a great job! Congratulations! I'll try to make this dress for my little girl.

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  6. I used this pattern to make a Snow White comfy dress for my little girl. You can see it here - http://oqueeutenhofeito.blogspot.pt/2014/02/branca-de-neve-snow-white.html.
    Thank you for sharing.

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  7. Es ideal... Gracias por los patrones¡¡¡¡¡

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  8. awesome job, thanks for teaching.

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  9. Thanks!!! I made this for my upcoming baby girl! https://www.facebook.com/quibbymade/photos/pcb.906400482714022/906400376047366/?type=1&theater (changed the color a bit)

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  10. is there an easy way to print out the instructions and tutorials here? thanks!

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  11. Great tutorial and very nice dress. I'd like to have more info on how to sew the zipper with the lining though... Thanks!

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  12. Many thanks for this nice pattern! I personally would not recommend it for beginners as myself. I'm having big trouble in closing the harmholes and I still have to figure out how to close the lining with the zipper. I guess I should have waited to be more experienced....I will be grateful for any help you could give me...

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    Replies
    1. Hi Laura, to insert the zipper is quite easy, you just fold the seam allowance of the lining and the outer fabric to the inside and put the zipper in between.

      The armholes just follow Method A, which is suitable for beginners.

      Good luck!

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    2. The neatest trick I have for setting a zipper effortlessly is the tack it in place with a plain, school glue stick and a dry, hot iron so you don't have to fight the pins while you are sewing it in place.

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  13. Can't wait to make this. Thanks for sharing!

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  14. been looking for an easy pattern for light summer dress for my great niece; especially like the collar. Thank you for sharing.

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  15. Can you please allow me to buy a downloadable version that is size 4-5? I see you don't ship to the US - this is the perfect pattern but my gandbaby is in a size 4 or 5

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  16. it's beautiful! Thank you for sharing!
    Btw super cute fabric, where did you get it?

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  17. Thank you so much for your pattern and instructions. I'm a super beginner and I absolutely love this pattern, as I've made a Christmas dress for my lil girl and i can't wait for her to wear it. So far I've received many compliments and i Thank you.

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