The fabric in this post was provided by Two Blue Birdies, an online fabric shop based in Australia. Their shop is full of beautiful fabrics and 100% wool felt!
*UPDATE* This pattern is now available in more sizes for girls 2T-10!
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Easy Baby Summer Dress
Happy May! I can’t believe it is already May. The summer is one of my favorite times, and it’s also fun to sew for. I knew this stack of pretty fabric had to be turned into baby clothes, the colors are perfect for summer. I picked them all out without realized the color scheme was very green and pink! I guess those are great summer colors.
The fabrics arrived pretty quickly, considering it came all the way from Down Under! If you live in Australia it ships for free if you purchase $50 or more. I was pretty tempted to buy some of their 100% wool felt, but didn’t because it’s too hot for felt right now. They have a ton of great colors, though. I was impressed by the shop’s great customer service and excellent selection of fabric. I hate fabric shops that stock every fabric on the planet, it’s so hard to find good fabric. At Two Blue Birdies, I felt like the shop was full of only pretty, quality fabrics. The site is easy to navigate and there is even a whole section of Boyish prints!
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Easy Summer Dress Pattern
On with the tutorial! This baby top/dress pattern is super simple. I started with the idea of having gathered straps. The straps have elastic in them, which bunches up the fabric and also makes them really easy to slip on. Because this top/dress fits loosely , it will fit for a while, hopefully all summer. I’m guessing it will fit a 3-9 month size range.
easy baby dress pattern materials
Materials:
-pdf pattern (size 3-6+ months, download below) or purchase more sizes HERE!
-1/2 yard fabric
-10″ of one inch elastic, cut into two 5″ pieces
Need more sizes? Click below!
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Easy Baby Summer Dress
Cute and Easy Summer Baby Dress Instructions
First cut 4 bodice pieces from the free pattern. You’ll also need 2 strap pieces (10″ by 3″) and 1 skirt piece (7″ by 44″ for a top, 10″ by 44″ for a dress).
To make the straps, sew each rectangle into a tube. Turn and thread elastic through using a safety pin. Pin at each end and sew the elastic in place. Pin elastic straps 3/8″ in from the top of the bodice. Pin and baste. Then stack a second bodice piece over the first, right side facing down. Pin and sew the top edge and underarm edges. Trim seam allowance and turn. Then sew the other ends of the straps to the back bodice the same way. Sew side seams.
Gather the skirt using a baste stitch or a ruffler foot. You can also choose to pleat it. Sew up side seam.
Attach to the bodice by pinning right sides together.
Hem the bottom edge and you’re done! I added a little pocket to this one.
Fabrics used in this post:
Floral: Tanya Whelan – Delilah – Amelie – White
Polka Dot: Kaffe Classics – Moss Spots
Green Ombre: Riley Blake – Ombre Solid in Green
Pink Plaid: October Afternoon – Farm Fresh – Pink Haybale
B/W pocket: Michele D’Amore – Floralicious – Black Squiggle
I think these will be super cute worn over a swimsuit or maybe with a pair of bloomers.
What are your favorite summertime clothes for girls? I have never had to dress a girl in the summer so I need some ideas!
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This is so cute, any ideas if this would fit 12 months, or how to resize?
It might, but if you’re not sure you can print it at 110% or 120% (change in print settings) to make the bodice piece a little bigger. Just lay the pattern piece on top of a dress or shirt you already have to make sure it will fit right! Good luck :)
Absolutely adorable Kate. I can’t wait to see what they look like on Lena.
These are so sweet! I love the shoulder straps, and those fabrics are beautiful!
Love the straps (and the fabric). Been searching for a baby gift for a few little girls making their way into the world these might just fit the bill!
Oh how perfect!! A bodice that will be perfect for a monogram or applique!! I am printing this template now!! Thank you for this adorable little dress….I think I will make a headband to match using the elastic idea with a fabric flower….girly-girly!!!
OMG! Love it! Making a couple for my baby niece. Cheers! Cristalia
Sew sweet! Thanks for sharing hun… I can see me making one or two of these for miss baby bump once she’s here :)
Lovely little dress. I’ll be making it for my chubby like 4 month old, soon. Wish I had all that cute fabric you do!
Oh, um, I meant “chubby little 4 month old”.
hola esta bello como lo sacaría para una niña de dos años
Kate,
I have three little boys and always loved your blog as you have some really cute boy tutorials which can be so hard to find. I then had my fourth baby in January and we had a girl! I am LOVING your blog even more and am having so much fun sewing for a baby girl. I live in England so am much less likely to need a huge stash of summer clothes as it will probably rain anyway, but I’m going to make a bunch of these dresses and team them with leggings and a cardigan (sweater?!) while the weather here is still a bit chilly.
Thank you for posting this!
I love this! I know what I will be sewing for my little girl this week :)
So so cute Kate, absolutely adore them!
I made one of these last night, oh so cute!
Making another one tonight!
These are so adorable! I wish that this was available in 24 month or 2T size. :-D My almost 18 month old granddaughter is the length of a 2 1/2 year old.
I made one! http://theexperimentalcrafter.blogspot.com/2013/05/sewing-triumphs-and-trepidations.html
It turned out great. Thanks for sharing your pattern!
Thanks Kate, I’m always so impressed when you hardworking bloggers give us such a great online community and wealth of knowledge and then FREE patterns! Hooray! Very grateful :)
So adorable, Kate! Now I just need a baby to put one on… :)sa
Thank you so much for sharing this tutorial! You made it very easy to follow! I haven’t sewn since highschool, but after finally digging out my machine and warming up on a couple pillowcases and a purse, I wanted to tackle something cute for my baby niece! She’s a small 1 yr old, so I enlarged the pattern a little, and I think it came together really well! http://pinterest.com/pin/215609900883139427/
Thanks again!