Creating simple dresses for my daughter is one of my favorite sewing projects.
She loves dresses for church, weddings and especially for dressing up. Which is one reason I really wanted to draft this diy peasant dress pattern with a gathered skirt.
We have lots of dress up clothes but almost all of them she has grown out of. It took 3 years but we are at a point where she needs some new dresses.
I decided on this gathered peasant dress because it is SO versatile. Not only will it work for a nice dressy outfit by adding a bow or sash. But it can be dressed down for every day wear.
Plus, peasant dresses have a nice elastic neckline and sleeves which means they can grow with you a little easier than other dresses like this shirred dress or lace dress.
And elastic means NO ZIPPERS! Which I know many beginner sewers are sighing with relief.
If you are new to sewing and want to start making clothing, peasant dresses are a GREAT way to start.
You'll learn new techniques like making a casing and gathering fabric. And in the end you'll come out with this adorable dress for your little one.
You can grab the free diy peasant dress pattern at the end of the post. It comes in sizes 12 month to 12 years. So you can sew this fun project for years to come.
Girls Gathered DIY Peasant Dress Pattern
Materials Needed- Free Girls Gathered Peasant Dress Pattern - download at the end of post
- 1 - 3 yards cotton woven fabric or knit fabric
- 1 pkg 1/4" elastic
- Matching Thread
Cutting chart and measurements will be in the free pattern you can download at the end of the post.
Step 1
With Right Sides Together (RST), match the sleeve and the bodice front. Stitch sleeve to bodice.
Turn bodice so that right sides are together. Match side seams and sleeves. Stitch down the side seam. Repeat with opposite side.
Step 2
To create the sleeve elastic casing, fold the edge up 1/4" and then another 1".
Mark a 1” opening on the sleeve. Stitch around the casing at the bottom edge ¼”. Leave the 1” marking open.
Repeat step with the neckline of the dress.
Repeat step with the neckline of the dress.
Step 3
With RST, place your skirt back and skirt front pieces together. Stitch down your side seams. Press. Finish edges with zig-zag or pinking shears.
Step 4
Along the top edge of the skirt, place 2 rows of gathering stitches from side seam to side seam. Repeat with back side.
Step 5
Press your hem up ¼” and then fold another 1” all the way around the skirt. Stitch the hem right along the top edge of the folded hem.
Step 6
Place skirt up next to the bodice. Pull gathering stitches so that the skirt is the same width as the bodice.
Step 7
With RST, place the bodice top around the outside of the skirt matching raw edges and side seams.
Carefully move gathering stitches so that the bodice and skirt match up perfectly. Pin bodice and skirt together.
Stitch around the main bodice and skirt. Turn the dress right side out
Wahoo! You did it.
See how simple that is. And just a little different than the A-line Peasant Dress Pattern. But a fun change.
Want the free Gathered Girls Peasant Dress Pattern for Girls and Baby Doll? Simply click the button below and download it to your device.
OR
You can get the Girls A-line and Gathered Peasant Dress Patterns, plus the baby doll patterns in our Etsy Shop for $3.97.
I'm excited to try there doll bassinet. My grand daughter loves anything dolls.
ReplyDeleteIt's so cute! 😍
ReplyDeleteWhat size Baby Alive doll does this pattern fit?
ReplyDeleteBaby Alive dolls are about 13" or 31 cm
DeleteMade this dress yesterday for my 4yr old. Made a size 5 and it's big on her. So sizing is accurate. Easy to do.
ReplyDeleteAlso made a matching dress for her baby alive
Super adorable!!
So glad you liked it!! Thank you for sharing
DeleteHow much elastic do you need for the doll?
ReplyDeleteDepends on the waist of your doll. Measure the waist and subtract 1" and that will be the elastic length you'll need.
DeleteHi. Thanks for the pattern. I'm not seeing seam allowance noted here or on the pattern. Maybe I overlooked it. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteAll our children's clothing patterns are 3/8". Enjoy!
DeleteI noticed that there is no skirt in the pattern for the baby doll dress out maybe I’m just not understanding it has the bodice and sleeves but no skirt
ReplyDeleteThere is a cutting chart on the pattern pieces for the skirt pieces.
Delete