How to Sew a Calico Dress

Calico fabric comes in many colors and designs. Usually the print is small and it's often a floral or animal design. Because calico has such a soft feel, it's an ideal choice to sew for a little girl's dress. While these directions are for a child's dress, you can easily adapt the directions for an adult dress if you wish.

Things You'll Need

• Calico fabric
• Pattern
• Straight pins
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Trim (optional)

Instructions

1. Use a pre-made dress as a pattern or purchase a simple dress pattern. Purchase the fabric. If the dress has a collar, you can purchase white or contrasting colored fabric for the collar.

2. Lay the prewashed calico fabric on a flat surface. Pin the pattern pieces on the fabric. Cut the dress out.

3. Sew the shoulder seams wrong sides together. Next attach the collar and finish the neck edge. That might or might not include a zipper. Sew the side seams together and then set in the sleeves. Typically, all seams are 5/8 inch.

4. Fit the dress on the little girl. Adjust the side seams as necessary to make the dress fit. Measure the hem.

5. Turn up the hem all the way around to the desired mark. Allow one inch for the hem and trim away any excess. Turn under ¼ inch on the raw edge and edge stitch it. You can sew the hem in place by hand or with the sewing machine.

6. Have fun trimming the calico dress for your little girl. You can add buttons, rickrack, appliqués or whatever other trims you find to match the calico.