 |
| I have some friends having babies coming up and so I have returned to my favorite baby shower (for a girl I will do boy later) gift. I call this the Abbey dress because it was the very first pattern I ever made on my own and I made it for my daughter Abbey. We had decided not to find out what we were having the second time around. In hopes of having a girl I began sewing some girl clothes to prepare. The most I had ever done with sewing was following store bought patterns and then I ventured into altering them a little here and there to fit my needs. Then my daughter was born and she unlocked me from my creative block and I began making my own patterns to custom fit my wants and her size. (I feel like store bought patterns always fit really odd) This Abbey dress was my first pattern, and I loved it. Everything since this pattern has been an evolution of this pattern.(like the petal sleeve top that was born from this pattern) For a baby it is super basic, and easy and comfortable and the best part is the style grows with the child. One size fit Abbey from Newborn through one year. (bonus) Now on to the tutorial. |
 |
| First the Pattern. I am trying to get some of my patterns available for download but for some reason no matter what I do they will never print the right size. (I am working on it) However as far as making your own patterns goes this is the easiest you will ever make. It is a pretty basic “jumper” style dress. So to make the pattern make two rectangles that are the measurements you want. For most infants I make the size as detailed in the picture above. For the bodice. I make a rectangle that is 3.5 X 4.5 inches. Then marking in 1.5 inches from the top and 1 inch up from the bottom I cut in a curve for the neckline. All of these measurements can be adjusted for any size you are making. For the Skirt. I make a rectangle that is 8.5 inches by 9.5 inches. Then I angle one edge slightly and on the other side I cut a small curve for the arm opening so I measure one inch over and one inch down and curve between them. The two (and only) pattern pieces should look like the basic shapes in the picture above the measurements can be adjusted to any size you need. |
 |
| To cut them out cut 2 skirt pieces on the fold along the straight side. Then cut 4 of the bodice piece with the fold on the short side. Then you will cut two of the bodice pieces in half. So you will have the pieces shown above. For the dress I am doing the tutorial for I used piping, This is optional and I have made many without piping. So you can skip that if you want. |
 |
| First sew the front bodice piece to two back pieces at the shoulder seam. You should make two of these with all out bodice pieces. |
 |
| Then if you are using piping sew that all along the neckline and the edge of the back pieces. Sew it to the right side of the top with the flap of the piping toward the outside edge. |
 |
| Then sandwich the other bodice piece on top so right sides are together. (do this with or without piping) sew along the back slit and neckline. Clip the curve and then turn right side out. |
 |
| Top stitch along the neckline. Then turn the side edges in and sew together. |
 |
| Then again if you are using piping sew it along the bottom of the front bodice piece. Fold over the edges so it has a finished edge. |
 |
| Then on the back skirt piece make a 2 inch slit down the middle. (along the top edge which should have the notches in it) |
 |
| Then sew piping along the slit. (if you are not using piping you can skip this and finish the slit as I show you with the arm openings below) |
 |
| Then turn the piping flaps to the back side and top stitch in place. |
 |
| Sew the front and back skirt pieces together at the side seams. The notches should match up creating to U shaped dips on both sides of the top. I also serge or zig zag stitch the seams since if they are left unfinished they tend to unravel. |
 |
| Then cut out a small rectangle of fabric that will overlap the arm opening and sew along the opening. (right sides together) |
 |
| Then turn the rectangle over to the back, and fold under all the edges |
 |
| Then sew along the turned under edges and you have a finished edge for the arm opening. (this is how you can finish the slit in the back if you skip the piping) |
 |
| Then matching the middle of the front bodice with the middle of the front skirt piece make small pleats out towards the edge until the ends meet. Sew in place. |
 |
| Then I serge or zig zag stitch that edge and then top stitch it so it lays flat against the bodice. Then do the same for the back. (sorry I don’t have a picture of that but it should make sense) |
 |
| Then Hem the bottom if you are using piping as I did then sew the piping around the bottom turn it over and top stitch. If you are not using piping just roll the hem under and sew in place. |
 |
| Then I sew a small elastic loop on the inside of the back flap |
 |
| And lastly a button on the other side. Then done. |
 |
| It seemed like a lot of steps but, it really is easy and once you get going you will be cranking them out in no time, it takes me about an hour to make the dress and matching booties. I will share the shoes tomorrow, with a downloadable pattern which I hope will work ok 🙂
Here are just some examples I pulled of this dress I have made over the course of my daughter’s life. But I would love to see what you come up with so add a link or send me a picture at [email protected]. |
 |
| A dress when Abbey was 4 months old |
 |
| She wore as a tunic when she was 16 months |
 |
| I added a ribbon at the chest and made the dress out of layers of tulle and chiffon for what we called the cotton candy dress. |
 |
| I made an elastic casing at the bottom hem added elastic and made a bubble top. |
 |
| And lastly mixing prints I added a border at the bottom and made different colors for different holidays. (she actually wore this for two 4th of July’s as a babe and at this age)
So as you can see the possibilities are endless and you can have a lot of fun with a really simple pattern. (whew! That was a long post sorry, with lots of pictures sorry) Enjoy! |
Genevieve
what an adorable dress! i love dresses that can be worn as newborns and then tunics the next summer. thank you for sharing- i'll definitely be making some of these soon!! and i can't wait for the booty tutorial tomorrow too- they are just so sweet. thanks!
Shiz Knits
First off I love, love, love the dress and all of the variations. Thanks for posting this great tutorial. I am a newbie sewer, so excuse all the basic questions. First on the top pattern piece you said to measure in 1.5" from the top over and down but that would make for 2" on the right hand side not 2.5". Is this correct or am I reading it wrong? On the bottom piece is the
Shwin W
First off all thanks! Second off, yes I just re read my description and I will fix it right away because it is off. Sometimes late at night my mind checks out when I am writing this ha ha… So to answer your questions the best I can. The exact measurements of the pieces is not super important so you can change them to fit your needs but you want the basic shapes of the pieces shown. I did mean
Heather
This is adorable! Thank you so much!! I can't wait to figure how to size up and make one for my little girl.
Shwin W
Heather, just a tip to make this a size up, Measure around the chest divide that by 4 and that is how wide your bodice piece should be then the skirt piece should be about double that width. You can easily make both pieces longer as well. For example if I were making it for my daughter now I would extend the top piece by 1 inch and the bodice by 3 inches this gives room to grow. I hope that helps
Darling Details
I can't wait to make this and the shoes for my little one!! Sewing for girls is so fun. I have been searching for a shoe pattern I like and you just happened to post this the same day. Crazy coincidence!!
Stephanie R.
one of my oldest and best friends in the world just had a baby girl, and i just bought my first sewing machine off of craigs list… i sense a glorious combination of things happening here! thank you so much for the idea and pattern!
TARA-EmBenDesigns
want to wear this 🙂 Very very adorable and variable. Thanks so much for your tip about extending pattern above. I want to ask for that, too.
Annie
Hi, i love mary jane shoes, but i have a problem downloading the pattern, could you help me. Thanks
Stacy
I love the fabric shown in the pic for the Abbey dress(and tutorial). Do you know what it is or where to find it?? Thanks. shansen20@hotmail dot com
Shanna
I too love this fabric, but I don't see a reply for the above comment. Can you please tell me where to find it. Thank you. <br />slynn26@telus dot net
theteo5
I made this dress and the mary janes this past week. I shared them on my blog here: http://holy-craft.blogspot.com/2011/05/on-slow-boat-to-china.html<br /><br />Thank you!<br /><br />Rachel
Vladlen
here is what I made last weekend. http://artytigress.blogspot.com/2011/11/blog-post_06.html<br /><br />I modified the dress a bit, but the shoes are made with your pattern. Thanks for wonderful ideas!!
Jen Conlon
Great tutorial! You've been featured on the <a href="http://qualitysewingtutorials.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Quality Sewing Tutorials blog</a>.<br /><br />We hand select only the best free tutorials and patterns for home sewers.<br /><br /><a href="http://qualitysewingtutorials.blogspot.com/p/featured-button.html" rel="nofollow">Grab a brag button!</a>
Michelle
So cute! I am currently working on this dress… I am guessing that there is a 5/8" seam allowance included in the pattern? I can't find anything anywhere here saying whether or not there is a seam allowance included in the pattern pieces (or if it has to be added?) and what size of seam allowance.
Michelle
The illustration of the pattern piece for the bodice (3.5" tall by 4" wide) and the instruction "I make a rectangle that is 3.5 X 4.5 inches" are not consistent… and also how big to cut the neckline is difficult to figure out. After following the black diagram, I figured out that was wrong and had to re-cut for another bodice following the written instructions (although I
Gail S.
I am loving this dress soooo much!!! Thanks for the tutorial. I also have an ABBEY (spelled exactly the same way). She is now 28 years old and expecting her first baby and It's a Girl!! So this Grandma will be making some of these – thanks again!!
srpprcrftr
That dress is so adorable and you made the tutorial very understandable. Thanks for that. I don't have any girl babies to make it for but think I'll make one anyway to give away to somebody. <br /> Is it ok to sell the dresses as long as I give you credit for the idea/pattern? There might just be a market for them. I live out in country about 6 miles from nearest town which is small but
Jessica
Hi, <br />I love your blog! I have just finished an attempt at folowing your Abbey Dress tutorial. Here is a link to my finished dress: <br /><br />http://craftygeogopher.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/abbey-baby-dress.html#<br /><br />I am only a beginner but I hope you like what I have come up with. <br />Thanks ever so much!<br /><br />Jessica 🙂
Jessica
This comment has been removed by the author.
Zlş Krt
çok güzel bayıldım bende deniycem.buara seni takipteyim bende bloğuma bakliyorm seni<br /><br />http://kelebekkizim.blogspot.com/
NąCéƦā
thank you so much ^_^<br />http://sewingbreakdown.blogspot.com/
hobbil venu
Baby Girls Top<br />Hello Sir,<br />Thanks a lot for Providing Such a beautiful collection of Yours Baby Girls top. I like Your Dress. Very Nice blog. http://www.monpetitbijou.com/store/cat/NBGTB<br />
sanita
I was wondering if you have a downloable pattern for this dress? I really would like to get one.. (or for sale?)<br />Great tutoriall..
hobbil venu
Baby Girls clothing, baby girls dresses<br />Thanks a lot for providing such a awesome collection of baby girls dresses. I like Your beautiful baby girls clothing very much. Very Nice.<br />http://www.monpetitbijou.com/store/cat/NBG
flowergirldress2012
<i>Shopping for a </i><i><a href="http://www.flowergirldressforless.com/" rel="nofollow"> flower girl dress</a> and finding an affordable one used to be a difficult task. With the increase of quality online flower girl dress stores, things have gotten considerably easier</i>
Mike tyson
Hi, of course this post is fully fussy and I even have learnt lots of things from it. Thanks.<a href="http://www.flowergirlhq.com.au" rel="nofollow">flower girl dress</a>
Jenny McIlwain
An unbelievable blog. This blog will indisputably be definitely recommended to my friends as well. <a href="http://www.eveningdresseshq.com.au" rel="nofollow">evening dresses melbourne</a><br />
Daniel Kwok
The stuff written in the blogs have allured me!!! <a href="http://www.corsetsaustraliahq.com.au/shop" rel="nofollow">corset dress</a><br />
sir kodak
Hi to everybody, here everyone is sharing such knowledge, so it’s fastidious to see this site, and I used to visit this blog daily. <a href="http://dresses.bridalprompageant.com/" rel="nofollow">maggie sottero collections</a><br />
Alana Shaikh
buy online best and <a href="http://babytaleonline.com/" rel="nofollow">Popular baby clothes</a> usa with qulick and quality service with only clicks away distance..
Daniel Ethan
really such nice fabrics!!!amazing…<br /><a href="http://www.halloweencostumesale.com/cat-toga-costume.aspx" rel="nofollow">toga costume</a><br />
Isabel Plaza Caballero
Awesome! nice dresses you have shown in all above pics. i like your all designs and cute baby. You have done a wonderful job. Good Luck<br /><br /><a href="www.babyboutique.com.au/collections/shoes/little-girl" rel="nofollow">baby girl shoes</a>
john meralaskd
Your contents are moving ahead with days persevere guys. <a href="https://myspace.com/bubblegum_casting" rel="nofollow">bubblegum casting</a><br />
Emily Calvin
Great post. I like your work and blog. Thanks for sharing this information.<br /><a href="http://www.lollipopmoon.com/" rel="nofollow">Lollipop Moon</a>
Joyce Randolph
I love this outfit
Shauna@shwinandshwin
The fabric was found at Joann Fabrics around 4 years ago so I am not sure it could be found any more. Sorry.
Alexa McAllister
Very adorable. I have memories of my daughters very many moons ago wearing a similar style, but I made them with buttons down the back…..summer and winter styles, with selves or none at all.
Little gathered dresses look so cut on little girls.
Love your blog…I am visiting from a Down to Earth link
Alexa from Sydney, Australia
http://www.Alexa-asimplelife.com
anne
Love the dress, was wondering about the site for the shoes..
Adri
loved this little dress 🙂 made it for my new baby niece 🙂 thanks for sharing. I shared your page on my blog hope that’s ok
wanda.breitenbach
I love your Patterns! Most of all the Abbey dress…What´s about the seam allowance in your patterns? These are included or should I add them? Thanks a lot for your reply.
Shauna
Yes seam allowance is included. 3/8″ seam allowance.
Cute Baby Dresses To Sew Yourself
[…] Shwin & Shwin […]