Happy Anniversary to you!

Thursday was my 1st blogiversary! I've been blogging for over a year now and it all started with this post . Some of you have been reading my rantings for one entire year. Before you run off to cry in shame I have a present for you. I've been working this week on an apron dress for Ashlyn and thought I would share a tutorial so you can make your own. Not a great present but with my 200th post coming up I'll give actual stuff away then ;o). It is extremely easy to make- if you can straight stitch you can make one. There is a button hole but you can sew that by hand if you have to, but try to be lazy and do one will you?

Let's get started shall we? This tutorial is pretty picture intense so bear with me, the instructions are short and sweet (I think). Let me start by saying that this dress is my own pattern that I drafted myself -unless yours doesn't turn out- blame your machine or something ;o). With that said let's keep this in the spirit of fun and giving, please don't sell my patterns. We all like freebies so lets keep it that way.

The dress I made is a size 6/7. My little one wears a 6 and there's plenty of room for growth so I'm saying it's a 6/7. The bodice pattern includes a size 4/5 but could easily be enlarged or shrunk for different sizes. I'll show the 6/7 measurements in red first followed with the size 4/5 in parentheses.

For one dress you'll need:
Bodice Pattern
11 1/2" (10 1/2) of 3/8" elastic
2 pieces of 2"x 2 1/2" mid-weight fusible interfacing
thread
an iron
1 to 1 1/2 yards of fabric (more if you are matching stripes or fruits in my case)
1/4 yard of lining fabric

Cutting:
Cut 1 each of the bodice pattern from the lining fabric and dress fabric making sure to put the edge marked "fold" on the fold of the fabric. Cut one rectangle that is 28" (26") wide by 21" (19 1/2") tall, this is the skirt back. Cut another rectangle 28" (26") wide by 18" (17 1/2") tall, this is the skirt front. For the straps you will need 2 rectangles that are 21" (18") by 3". In the picture I cut an extra chunk of dot fabric for a ruffle but decided not to use it so ignore that little polka dot bit in the top right.
You should have 2 bodice pieces, 1 skirt back, 1 skirt front, 2 pieces of interfacing, 1 piece of elastic, and 2 straps.


On to sewing! All seams are 1/2" seam allowance unless otherwise stated.

Step 1- Iron interfacing pieces to the wrong side top corners of the bodice lining. This goes inside the bodice and won't be shown, just keeps the button holes nice and tidy.














Step 2- Pin the dress bodice and lining bodice pieces right sides together. Sew around arm holes and top edge leaving the sides and bottom open. Turn so the fabric is right side out. You may need to clip the arm curve to get it smooth, Press.























Step 3- Fold the bottom edge of the lining fabric under a little less than 1/2" and press. Set aside.











Step 4- Run a gathering stitch along the top edge of the skirt front 1/4" from raw edge and then again about 1/2" from the raw edge.













Step 5- Pin the skirt front to the bottom of the bodice right sides together matching middles and side seams, make sure to leave the lining free. Pull the threads to gather the skirt and distribute the gathers evenly, pin in place. Baste 1/4" and check to make sure you are happy with the gathering (make sure it's not gathery in one place more than another). Stitch in place 1/2" from raw edge. Now you have the dress front-yay! Set aside.

























Step 6- Fold over the top raw edge of your skirt back 1/4" and press. Fold again 3/4" and press, pin in place to form the casing for the elastic. Stitch very close to the edge of the fold. Thread your elastic through the casing leaving about 1/2" of elastic sticking out the ends. Pin in place and stitch close to edge (this keeps the elastic from going anywhere while you finish).















































Step 7- Pin the skirt back to the dress front matching the top edges and the side seems, leave the lining free. Stitch the sides together (I zig zagged the edge after sewing my straight stitch but that's optional). Once your skirt back and dress front are sewn together at the sides press the seam towards the front of the dress. Pin the bottom of your lining over the gathered edge of the skirt front and over the side seams of the dress. Flip your dress over to the right side and top stitch around the inside of the front bodice making sure you catch your lining underneath. Set aside.





























































Step 8- Take your strap fabric and fold it in half length wise right sides together, press. Stitch around the raw outside edge leaving one end open for turning. Do this for both straps.

















Step 9- Turn our straps right side out and press flat. Fold the open edge of your straps under 1/4" then again 1/2" and pin in place on the inside back of the dress (the elastic part). I placed mine about 3" away from the side seam. Stitch in place.










































Finishing-

Step 10- Fold the bottom hem of the dress under 1/2" and press. Fold again about 1" and pin. Stitch as close to the folded edge as you can.










Step 11- Button holes- I don't have an exact on this because every one's straps may be different. What I did was make a practice button hole the size I liked and placed it on the inside of my bodice. I used this practice button hole as a template for marking and then I stitched my button holes. I would suggest keeping them under 1" and about 1/2" or so from the outside edge. If the button hole is too big the knot you make for the straps will come through and the dress will fall off. Not cool.






You are done! Look how cute and easy this is. I promise it's not hard at all but if you run into any snags let me know and I can walk you through it. Now grab your model and tie on on her so you can share your cute pictures of your finished dresses with me.

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