I am sewing up some fall pieces for my kids, and today I am sharing a free PDF pattern for a quick little top that I whipped up for Abbey. It’s a play off the Square Neck Top I made as part of the summer wardrobe. Only changes I made was pleating the skirt piece to the bodice and I added a sleeve.
I also dropped the back neckline lower and skipped the button. I did this so it could slip right on over the head. Super easy.
I used a cotton that Abbey picked out from Joann Fabric for the main part and then since it’s for fall I used a faux leather for the bottom band and sleeve bands. It offers a nice contrast and I love the way it looks in the sun.
Get the Free Pattern Here:Pleated Square Tunic Free PDF Pattern (want a full size range buy the pattern here)
You will need
3/4 yard main fabric
1/4 yard for trim
The Pattern is in the size 5/6 (roughly for a 26″ chest but it is a loose fit) (for 12m-8Y buy the pattern here)
Sewn with a 3/8″ Seam Allowance.
As always with my patterns you are free to sell anything you make from the patterns but you may not sell or copy the pattern pieces or instructions and you may NOT use any of my photos. Thanks!
For the bodice, sew the front and back together at the shoulders. You will repeat this for the lining as well.
Press the shoulder seam open flat. Again repeat for the lining.
With right sides together match up the main and lining pieces. Sew all along the square neck opening.
Clip into each of the 4 corners without clipping through your stitches.
Turn the lining around to the inside and press well.
Now with right sides together sew one skirt piece to the front bodice. To do this you will need to add pleats to the skirt piece. The pleats are marked on the skit piece, you will be creating box pleats. (for more help on box pleats check here) The top edge of the skirt piece will fit the width of the bodice edge. Finish seam as desired. (need help on seam finishing, check here)
Press the seam upward. Repeat the pleating and sewing with the back skirt piece to the back of the bodice. Finish the seam and press seam upward.
For the sleeves. Take the sleeve band and fold it in half height wise. Then with right sides together place the raw edges of the folded band together with the bottom edge of the sleeve. Sew along the edge. Finish seam as desired.
Press the seam towards the sleeve. Repeat with other sleeve.
With right sides together sew the sleeve in place to the arm curve. Match up the center sleeve with the shoulder seam and ease the sleeve into place. Finish seam as desired. Repeat with other sleeve.
With right sides together sew the top of the skirt band to the bottom of the skirt piece. Finish seam as desired. Repeat for back.
With right sides together match up the sleeve, and front and back. Then sew from the sleeve edge to the armpit pivot and sew down the side. Finish seam as desired. Repeat with other side.
Now I used a faux leather and left the bottom un-hemmed. However you can hem the bottom by turning the bottom edge under twice and and sewing in place to secure.
Easy enough right? In no time at all your little one will be dancing around in her new top, because one it is seriously quick and two it makes them incredibly happy.
I love the pleated bodice, and the square neck. Now I have to make a few more… maybe even with a gathered skirt.
I think I may even add inseam pockets to the next one because all kids love pockets.
Pattern || Free PDF Pattern
Fabric || Gold Hearts || Faux Leather Suede Cloth ||Joann Fabric
Jeggings || GAP
Fox Shoes || Old Navy (obviously a while ago 😉
Lucinda says
September 3, 2014 at 9:32 amthis is so pretty! the faux leather is a great addition – really adds a great design element. thanks so much for sharing the pdf! conveniently, my daughter is 6:)
Shauna says
September 3, 2014 at 12:42 pmThanks! Yes I love how a little faux leather really transforms something that could be ordinary into something special.
Patty says
September 3, 2014 at 11:18 amThis top is so adorable, love your fabric selections! I need to make some of these for my little one soon.
Shauna says
September 3, 2014 at 12:42 pmThanks! The fabric selection is team effort these days since I am trying to let my daughter have more control, thankfully she has good taste 🙂
Audree says
September 3, 2014 at 11:47 amBeautiful tunic. I need a size 2, how can I make it smaller?
Shauna says
September 3, 2014 at 12:37 pmIf you check out the post I linked to in the beginning (the square neck top) There I have a tutorial on how to draft your own with what ever measurements you need, just not the sleeve piece which could be made smaller to fit a smaller size. Hopefully that will help!
Veronica says
September 3, 2014 at 12:06 pmReally cute pattern, Shauna, and it’s the perfect size for my daughter, too! I need some of that metallic heart fabric. Definitely looking for it my next visit at Joanns. I noticed you are using the faux leather in a lot of your projects lately. How does it hold up in the wash, and can you put it in the dryer?
Shauna says
September 3, 2014 at 12:41 pmThanks! I have been faux leather crazy lately 🙂 It washes well (so far just 1 wash) I haven’t dried it in the dryer, but I have ironed it without any issue so I imagine it would dry just fine as well. It seems easier to care for than real leather which is great for kids. It’s a suede cloth with leather look so not the vinyl stuff that is stiff, and this stuff sews just like regular fabric, so no need for special sewing feet or needles. I found it in the seasonal section although they seem to carry it year round.
Ann Blum says
September 28, 2014 at 6:57 amLove the top! Unfortunately, it may not be as easy to care for as you might like. I am fairly certain that the suede you used is the Brown Distressed Microsuede which is found with the Sew Classic Suede. The SKU# online is 1601780 and in stores would be 01601780. The fabric care instructions read handwash separately, line dry, do not iron.
The Metallic Hearts on Cream is a Keepsake Calico SKU# 13330246.
Hope this helps.
Shauna says
September 28, 2014 at 9:06 pmThanks for the Sku numbers, you are correct those are what I used. I know the fabric says to hand wash, I still wash it in my normal wash cycle and I have ironed it without any problems, now 2 wash cycles. Although I often disregard care instructions and take a gamble 🙂
Gabriela says
September 3, 2014 at 1:43 pmI love it! Thank you so much for the pattern
Julia says
September 3, 2014 at 3:43 pmThis is darling! My daughter is the same age and size as yours so it feels like a bonus every time you come out with a beautiful free girl’s pattern! Thanks so much~ really love the fabric combo!
Kristi W. says
September 4, 2014 at 7:00 amThat is so cute. I love, love, love pleats. Can’t wait to try this out for Wub. Thanks for sharing it.
Carolyn Williams says
September 4, 2014 at 4:25 pmI love this! I think I’ll make it and perhaps lengthen it into a dress. Thanks for the pattern!
Jeanne says
September 5, 2014 at 1:25 amThank you for your generosity! Making this tomorrow!
Autumn says
September 6, 2014 at 7:33 pmI love it too! Perfect fabric combo! Now I have to go back to Joann. Is the gold heart fabric a quilting cotton? I haven’t seen it there. And I’ll be checking for the faux leather/suedecloth too. Completely awesome top.
Shauna says
September 7, 2014 at 10:37 pmYes it’s a quilters cotton. I have seen it a few times since at our location, and it may even be online I never checked.
Amber says
October 3, 2014 at 3:19 pmHello,
I love this pattern, and I am trying to make it. I don’t understand the markings to make the box pleats. Can someone help me? Thank you.
kerima orozco says
October 20, 2014 at 11:59 amme parecen hermosos
Mel Smith says
December 13, 2014 at 7:09 pmThanks so much for this pattern! I just whipped it up today to give to my niece for Christmas. It turned out so cute (I used a navy floral corduroy from Hobby Lobby) that I’m gonna make two more – one for my other niece and one for my daughter! The pattern is just lovely. . . thank you!
Tina says
February 26, 2015 at 10:42 amOh my goodness!!! This is adorable. I can so see a pair of your leather fringed boots with this little shirt! I love your site! So happy to have found you!
Jennifer m says
March 15, 2015 at 2:17 pmJust made this. Love it! I’m still new to sewing so there are a couple “imperfections” but it still looks great and my daughter loves it! Thanks!
Moni says
May 2, 2015 at 8:48 amSo beautiful!!!
I’m still finishing it for my niece but it just looks really lovely.
Thank you so much for this pattern.
dcwarner says
June 30, 2015 at 2:48 pmI am a novice, so maybe I am just being dense…. but if you sew all around the square of the neck hole… how do you turn it right side out again? I may be making a bigger issue than warranted, but am totally confused right now…..
Brittney Leavitt says
September 21, 2015 at 12:57 pmJust sewed one up for my daughter. Fits perfectly and it’s swoop cute. I can’t wait to add a foot to the bottom and make a dress too! Here is my Instagram I just posted of her in it:
https://instagram.com/p/75w1vhugiS/
Kelly says
October 28, 2015 at 9:50 amI cannot sign in to my acct to download this pattern. I have the correct information in the username and pw and get nowhere. Anyway this pdf can be emailed to me.