Things You'll Need:
- Mid-weight cotton fabric
- Coordinating thread
- Elastic thread
- Steam iron and ironing board
- Sewing machine
- Spare bobbin
- Ribbon to match
- Fabric marking pen
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Step 1
Measure the child's chest and the desired dress length. Multiply the chest measurement by 2.5. This is the total width required to sew a toddler dress. Add 2.5 inches to the length measurement. Cut your fabric using these measurements. Choose a light to mid-weight cotton fabric for this project.
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Step 2
Finish all 4 edges of your fabric with a close zigzag stitch on your sewing machine. Press a narrow hem into the top edge of your toddler dress. Press a doubled 1-inch hem into the bottom edge.
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Step 3
Sew the fabric right sides together along the length of the toddler sundress. Press this seam open. Stitch the pressed top and bottom hems into place.
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Step 4
Wind the elastic thread onto a spare bobbin by hand, applying some tension as you wind. Insert the bobbin into the machine and lower the tension on your sewing machine somewhat. Set your machine for a very long straight stitch, much like you would use to baste. Test sew on fabric scraps. The elastic thread will only minimally gather the fabric. Take your test fabric to the iron and steam well. It should gather tightly when steamed. Adjust tension and stitch length as needed to produce tight, stretchy gathers.
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Step 5
Mark gathering lines on your toddler dress. You can also choose to use the markings on your sewing machine to measure your gathering lines. Begin the first gather row approximately 1 inch below your finished top edge. Space the shirring rows approximately 1/2 to 1 inch apart, depending upon the final size.
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Step 6
Stitch the elastic gathering threads into place. Steam well. Cut ribbon to the needed length and stitch 4 pieces of ribbon into place to create simple ties for your toddler dress.
