How to Make a Flamenco Dress for Kids

Many flamenco dresses are made with polka dots and bright colors.

Flamenco is a type of dance originating in Andalusia. It is at least two hundred years old and likely gypsies influenced this popular art form. Flamenco is characterized by colorful dresses, silk shawls, hand-painted fans, lively music and clapping. Though the authentic form is only seen in southern Spain, the colorful dresses can be seen worldwide. You can bring this bright type of dress to your own home by making a flamenco dress for your child.

Things You'll Need

• Girl's dress pattern
• 1 yard of cotton fabric for the dress
• 1.5 yards of cotton fabric for the ruffles
• Scissors
• Paper
• Pencil
• Push Pins
• Iron
• Thread
• Sewing Machine

Instructions

1. Make a sleeveless, straight dress with one yard of cotton fabric using a purchased girl's dress pattern or download a free pattern online. The dress should be 2 or 3 inches above the ankle and have a V-neckline.

2. Measure around your child 3 inches below the waist. On a piece of paper draw a circle using this measurement for the circumference of the circle. Draw 6 inches around the edges of the circle. Cut along the edges of these two circles. This will be the pattern for your ruffles.

3. Pin the pattern to the fabric for the ruffles and cut along the edges of the pattern. Repeat this process four times. You can use the same type of fabric used for the dress or to make a contrast, use cotton fabric with similar colors but a different pattern, such as polka dots.

4. Sew along the inside and outside edges of all four circles with a zigzag stitch.

5. Fold the outside edge of the circle under 3/8 inch, ironing in place. Secure the edge in place by stitching along the edge.

6. Pin one circle to the outside of the dress 3 inches below the waist. Sew the circle in place, making sure the inside edge of the circle is hidden beneath the fabric of the circle. Repeat this process with the remaining three circles, spacing them equally until the bottom of the dress. If your child is tall, cut out more circles and sew them on until you reach the bottom of the dress.

Tips & Warnings

• To add ruffled sleeves to the dress, cut a 2 1/2-inch by 45-inch strip of fabric. Sew a zigzag stitch along all sides of the fabric strip. Hand sew a running stitch along one of the long sides of the strip, ruffling the fabric as you sew. Sew the ruffled strip onto the dress along the sleeve opening. Repeat for the other sleeve. Attach more ruffle strips if you wish to have a sleeve with more body.

References

• All About Spain: Flamenco History
• Spanish Fiestas: Flamenco Dresses and Costumes
• Craftser: Flamenco Dress Tutorial

Resources

• Burda Style: Firsts Dress
• Burda Style: Child Summer Frock