Please do not reproduce or redistribute this pattern in any form without expressed
written permission. Page 1. Leisurely. : a summer dress : Summertime calls for ...
Leisurely : a summer dress : Summertime calls for easy clothes that effortlessly transition from lakeside to the playground to a backyard cookout. Leisurely is all that and more, because this little number will fit your girly for years and years. Mix and match a few great fabrics, add a few special details to each and in no time you will have stitched up her very own summer wardrobe. Time needed: about 1 hour Measurement: 22.5” total length and easily customized to fit ages 4-10 Here’s what you need: * 1 yard of main fabric * 1/3 yard of contrasting fabric * Ruler * Water-soluble pen
* Elastic thread * 1 yard of 3/8 elastic * Iron * Coordinating thread (optional)
Note : be sure wash your fabrics prior to sewing to remove sizing and allow for shrinkage.
Step 1: Prepare the Straps Cut or tear two 2 1/2” strips of the contrasting fabric from selvedge to selvedge. Press both pieces with a hot iron. Fold WS together the entire length of the strip in half and press. Open it up and then fold both edges in toward that center crease and press. Fold both sides in together and press again.
Topstitch both edges of each strip using a 1/8” seam allowance. Cut each of the straps in half and set aside.
Leisurely © 2010 Jennifer Casa for Sew,Mama,Sew!
jchandmade.typepad.com / sewmamasew.com
Please do not reproduce or redistribute this pattern in any form without expressed written permission.
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Step 2: Prepare the Dress Measure a 25” length of the main fabric and cut or tear from selvedge to selvedge. Fold the fabric WS together in half (from selvedge to selvedge) and press on that fold with a hot iron.
Step 3: Attach the Straps to the Dress Unfold and lay out the main fabric RS facing up. Place two of the straps 5” to either side of the center crease at the top edge of the main fabric and pin in place. Then place the other two straps 10” to the side of each of those straps and pin in place. (The four straps will be centered on the fabric and evenly spaced 10” apart.) Stitch each of the straps to the RS of main fabric using a 1/4” seam allowance.
Step 4: Create the Smocked Waist Using your ruler and a water-soluble pen, draw a line from selvedge to selvedge that measures 6” down from the top of the main fabric. Wind a bobbin (by hand) with elasticized thread. Put this bobbin in your machine and stitch on the RS of the fabric using that line you just made as a guide. Be sure to backstitch a few times at the beginning and end of every row of stitching. Now you need to stitch a 5 more lines of smocking approximately 1/2” apart right below that first line—I prefer to use the presser foot as guide rather than draw each individual line on the fabric. With a hot steam iron, press the RS of the fabric right along those elasticized stitches working slowly from selvedge to selvedge. You will see the waistline magically shrink up!
Step 5: Seam the Dress Line up the selvedges of the dress RS together and seam from top to bottom using a 1/2” seam allowance. Backstitch at the beginning and end of the line of stitching. Press the seam open on the WS and then the RS. You may also wish to zigzag stitch over the selvedge in the smocking section to secure those stitches in place. Leisurely © 2010 Jennifer Casa for Sew,Mama,Sew!
jchandmade.typepad.com / sewmamasew.com
Please do not reproduce or redistribute this pattern in any form without expressed written permission.
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Step 6: Create the Elasticized Neckline Fold the top edge over 1/4” toward the WS and press. Then fold it over again, this time 3/4” and carrying the strap upwards. Press. Pin in place on the RS. Edge stitch on the RS using a 1/8” seam allowance. Then stitch again on the RS, this time using a 5/8” seam allowance, but be sure to leave a 2”-3” opening to insert the elastic.
Measure your child’s chest and cut a piece of the 3/8” elastic 1” smaller than that measurement. Feed the elastic through the casing at the top of the dress, overlap and stitch the ends together using a zigzag stitch. Redistribute the elastic inside the casing and stitch that opening closed.
Step 7: Hem the Dress Fold the bottom of the dress 1/4” over toward the WS and press. Fold it over again 1/2” and press. Topstitch on the RS using a 3/8” seam allowance.
Step 8: Finishing Pop the dress onto your girly with the seam running down the center of her back. Secure the ties at her shoulders with a knot and trim off the excess length.
Upsize it! As your girly grows, that top elastic band may become tight — not a problem! This dress has plenty of room for growth and can even turn into a cute tank top down the line. All you have to do is use a handy dandy seam ripper to open the casing at the neckline, remove the elastic, replace it with a longer piece and stitch the opening closed. Pretty nifty!
But wait, there’s more... Leisurely © 2010 Jennifer Casa for Sew,Mama,Sew!
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Please do not reproduce or redistribute this pattern in any form without expressed written permission.
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Let’s make another variation: Step 1 — follow as written. NEW Step (let’s call it Step 1.5) — Measure a 5” length of the coordinating fabric and a 20” length of the main fabric. Cut or tear from selvedge to selvedge and press both. Seam the fabrics RS together using a 1/4” seam allowance. You may wish to zigzag or overlock stitch (or use a serger) along this seam on the WS in order to prevent fraying in the wash. Press the seam toward the bottom on the WS, and then again on the RS. This is now your dress panel. Step 2 — follow as written. Step 3 — follow as written. NEW Step 4 — Wind a bobbin (by hand) with elasticized thread. Put this bobbin in your machine and stitch on the RS of the fabric right “in the ditch” of the seam between the coordinating and main fabrics. Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of the row of stitching. Now stitch 4 more lines of smocking approximately 3/8” apart right below that first line — I use the presser foot as my guide. There is no casing on this variation, because we’re using elasticized thread at the neckline. Fold the top edge over 1/4” toward the WS and press. Then fold it over again, this time 3/8” and carrying the strap upwards. Press. Pin in place on the RS. Place a bobbin with regular thread into the machine and edge stitch on the RS using a 1/4” seam allowance. Place the bobbin with elasticized thread back into the machine and stitch 3 lines of smocking approximately 3/8” apart right below that first line Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of each row of stitching. With a hot steam iron, press the RS of the fabric right along those elasticized stitches working from selvedge to selvedge. Watch that waistline shrink. Step 5 — follow as written. SKIP Step 6. Step 7 — follow as written. Step 8 — follow as written. (If your girly is petite, criss-cross the straps across her back before tying them at the shoulders.) I hope you enjoy these Leisurely dresses as much as we do! Make a bunch + enjoy!
- Jennifer Leisurely © 2010 Jennifer Casa for Sew,Mama,Sew!
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Please do not reproduce or redistribute this pattern in any form without expressed written permission.
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