Pinafore or Jumper Dress Pattern

Earlier, I posted a tutorial on how to sew a pinafore (jumper) dress, but I didn't have the pattern draft ready at that time. I drafted the pattern today, and here it is for you.

Measurements needed for this dress are:

1. Length of the dress (from close to the neck to the length you desire)
2. Shoulder (length between two shoulder points)
3. Bust
4. Neck depth

How to draft the pattern:

There are 4 pieces in this pattern:

1. Straps
2. Yoke or chest piece
3. Body
4. Ruffles (optional)

A-B = length of the dress
A-D = Shoulder/2 minus 1/4"
D-C = 1.5"
A-E = neck depth
Square out from E.
E-F = A-D
A-H =  1/4 bust
H-I = 1/4 bust + 3/4 inch
Draw a curved line from I to F to shape the armhole.
O-I = H-N = 1 inch
Join N-O.
B-J = 1/4 chest + 2"
Join I and J.

This is your basic pinafore pattern.

If you want to add ruffles at the bottom (I wanted to add it) in a contrast fabric, you should subtract the width of the ruffle from the length of the dress (I kept the ruffle width 5 inches for the dress I made).

In the pattern, B to K marks the ruffle width. Square out from K and mark L where the line meets I-J.
L-M = 3/4 inch. Draw a curved line from M to shape the hemline of the body of the dress.

Now we are going to separate the pattern pieces and add seam allowances.

Discard the ruffle piece from the pattern draft above and create a new one with the same width, but length twice as that of BJ.

Add 0.25 inch seam allowances except for the sides and for the hem of the ruffle piece for which it should be 0.5 inch.

(Note: Measure CGE and multiply it by 4. Let us call this the neckline measurement. Now measure your kid's head circumference. Compare this with the neckline measurement. If the neckline measurement is less than the head circumference, then you can either reduce the width of the straps, or you can make a slit at the center back and sew button flaps. You can also sew buttonholes to the front end of the straps and sew buttons on the front yoke piece.)

I have already posted the sewing tutorial here. But I felt there are fewer photos in that tutorial which might make it hard to understand. Therefore, I will post a new tutorial as early as possible. This will be a little different from the previous one I shared. Watch out for it.

Silk Skirt and Blouse---Mom Made

This is a pair of silk skirt and blouse my mom made for my daughter 5 months ago. My mom had this idea of using prairie points at the hemline of the blouse. I helped her a little in making these. We liked how it turned out.

My little daughter wore this on her birthday. She was very much excited to wear her skirt and blouse (the main reasons being the skirt twirled a lot and had more room for her to move around easily) that she was hesitating to change it off and wear her night dress. She was repeatedly asking her grandmother "You made this just for me?" My mom was so happy.

Spring--Summer Dress 3

I made this simple dress as an addition to my daughter's spring--summer wardrobe.

Front:

Back:

A-line Dress with Bib Inset

This is the second spring-summer outfit I made for my daughter---an A-line dress with a bib inset.

The fabric is cotton. I used ricrac lace around the bib inset.

The flowers are store-bought premade flowers.\

Tutorial: Tunic Refashioned into a Pinafore Style Dress

Hi Friends,


Belated New Year wishes to all of you!

Nice to you meet you all after a long time with yet another blog post.

Recently, I made a few dresses for my 3-year-old daughter which can be worn during spring and summer.

The first one is a pinafore dress refashioned from an embroidered tunic.

This...

turned into this....

I used the plain blue part of the tunic for the straps and main fabric of the tunic, and the embroidered fabric for the yoke and ruffles. I attached two satin ribbon flowers (self-made) at the center front as I thought the pinafore looked a plain and boring.

This is how I did it:

1. Rip out the seams at shoulder, sides, and sleeves, and separate the front, back, and the sleeves (rip out the hems too) and iron them well.

2. Place the pattern templates on these pieces as shown in the below pictures.

3. Cut the pattern pieces for the pinafore. 

4. Make the straps. Take two strap pieces. With right sides together, sew together the long edges. Turn the strap inside out. Now bring the seam line on one edge to the center and press the strap (so that the seam line is hidden under). Repeat it for the other strap. (Sorry, I don't have the pictures for this step.)

5. Join the yoke and main fabric together.

 (Again, sorry, I don't have the pictures for the steps below)
6. With right sides of the yoke and yoke lining pieces together, sandwich the straps.
7. Join the sides.
8. Attach the ruffles at the bottom round of the pinafore. Add fabric flowers or other embellishments if you like.

Done!

A-Line Floral Skirt with Frills

I made this skirt yesterday using a simple A-line skirt draft. I attached the red satin ribbon and frill trim to add grace to the floral skirt. The frill trim is a store-bought one. So it made my work easier.

Does the skirt look good with the frill trim or should it have been better left plain? Please post your replies. I am eager to read comments and feedback.

A Ruched Sundress for My Little One

I made this empire-waist sundress for my little girl today. The pattern is self-drafted. I did some ruching at the center front. The straps cross at the back. First, I thought of attaching a red or orange satin ribbon at the empire line, but then I settled in with the lace trim to give a soft look to the dress.

Here are some action shots. I took these photos before attaching the lace trim on the bottom round of the dress.

I purchased some cotton fabrics from a fabric bazaar recently to make summer dresses or skirts for my daughter. As I already have loads of cotton fabrics, I purchased only a few. I made the above-mentioned sundress from one of the fabrics you see in the image below. The lavender-colored floral fabric is for my friend's daughter. This type of cotton fabric is so soft and perfect for summer.

Lots of sewing ahead! I would love to see what you are making now. Please feel free to comment and leave a link to your blog, so that I will be able to visit your blogs too.

I have linked this to the link party on Happy Hour Projects.