It’s done!! I finally finished up the tutorial for the 30-minute Summer Frock from this post!! Thanks so much for all your sweet words about this cute little dress 🙂 Now, I know it’s September but if you are anywhere near my neck of the woods it is still freakin’ hot outside! I’m not sure if that cool Fall weather is ever coming.
Okay, so does this fabric look familiar? Maybe from this post? Yup, I thought it would make the perfect summer frock. What do you think?
So what you need is about 3/4 to 1 yard of fabric, a jersey knit looks best to me cause of the drape but really whatever goes! The dimensions listed will fit a 18 month to 2T age pretty well.
Cut your fabric on the fold to the dimensions I have written for both the front and back pieces. The fold is on the left in the picture above and below!
Now, I did not hem either of my dresses at the bottom since I used a jersey knit for both. If you do want to hem yours you may want to add an inch or two to the length.
So far so good!?!
Okay, so here is what the front and back pieces will look like once they are opened up. Slightly different. The front has more of a scoop in the neckline.
Then, go ahead and fold the armholes in 1/4 inch and then another 1/4 inch towards the wrong side of the fabric to hem them. Sew together with a straight stitch. You will do this 4 times.
Then, fold both the front neckline and back neckline 1/2 inch and then another 1/2 inch in towards the wrong side of the fabric. You are making a casing here so make sure you watch your seam allowance!
When you are finished sewing the necklines you will notice that they end up looking a little wonky. Don’t be alarmed, that is totally normal when you are sewing casings or hemming on curve-y areas, ESPECIALLY with knits or jersey fabrics.
Next you will sew the front and back of the dress together. Place the two pieces right sides together and either zig zag stitch or serge from the armholes down to the bottom edge of the fabric. Do this with both sides and you almost have your dress finished!!
Then, you are going to make your strap for the neckline. I cut a piece of the same fabric 1 inch x 22 inches. The length will depend on your child. I cut it with a slight point at one end and I’ll show you why in a minute.
Fold the strip of fabric in half lengthwise, right-sides together. You are making a tube of fabric so just straight stitch the very edges together.
To turn your tube right-side out what I do is pin the pointy end with a safety pin and then place one end into the tube. I push the pin into the tube as I’m pulling the fabric it’s gone through to the other direction. Then, I pull all that gathered fabric flat. Soon enough you’ll see that safety pin at the end, easy peasy!!
A lovely tube of fabric!
Then, feed your tube through the neckline casing and zig zag the ends together. I then push the zig zagged part through the back neckline’s casing so it’s nice and hidden.
A pretty Summer Frock all done in 30 minutes or less!
Perfect to enjoy a nice summer’s day!
Or to hunt for treasures in the grass!
Hope you enjoy!
Yours is minimalistic fun version.
I had made similar pillowcase style dresses for my daughter, but i use double chest measurement to have more gathers at front and back when it is all tied up.
If interested look at my versions here:
Pillowcase Style Dress 1
Pillowcase style Dress 2 using Saree>
Dress 3 made using Dupatta
Thanks for sharing this- especially the normalness of the wonky part of the front of the dress. 🙂
So cute! This looks similar to some of the pillowcase dresses I have seen, and have been hoping to try out one of these days…when I get time. I had to stop sewing projects for my daughter, because I decided it was time to actually do a project for myself next(ok, so I haven’t gotten to that yet either:). I think next summer my girls will definately have some matching frock dresses!
love the post, as always but sick of saying the same ole things so I’m gonna comment on your matching nail polish! LOVE it! haha! Have a fabulous day!
Heehee!@the Family of Logo above….I was thinking the same thing! Cute little dress (love the simple-ness of it) and your nail polish -I’d love to know the color/brand 😉 😀
Wow you are seriously crafty – that is an adorable little dress! And your nail polish even matches it 🙂
Cute! Nice tute. Thanks for sharing … I’ve posted a link.
Good evening
Great share, thanks for your time
Is it wrong that I really want to make one of these for myself????