Friday, October 29, 2010

BOO dress and bodice making tutorial

I love little girl dresses that just slip over their heads, that can be worn with a shirt underneath or without. I made myself an all purpose bodice pattern years ago, it get’s adjusted as the girls grow and is always fun! I like to cheat a bit when sewing, so this pattern is both the back and the front of the bodice:




Since it is cut on the fold, the pattern works this way:

Back ready to be cut


Front cut



I cut 2 fronts and 2 backs so the bodice can be lined. It isn’t necessary to do it this way, the sleeves and neck line are easily hemmed…but I’m a bit of a lazy sewer and don’t like hemming so I just about always line these kinds of dresses.

To make the lined version, you sew the back and front together at the sides, then with the right sides together you sew the neckline and the arm opening. Notice where the pins are at the top of the bodice—you want to leave that part open.


Turn to the right side, press if you need to or just finger press as I’ve done here. Match up the tops of the bodice:



Now comes the tricky part, you want to hold on to the tops as you flip the bodice inside out again—the back will be inside the front tube (or the front in the back, doesn’t matter which way you go, just do the same for both.)



Sew the tops together

Flip back to the right side, and you have yourself a lovely slip on bodice!

The skirt is just a large rectangle; you determine the width (more width, more gather, and more twirl factor) and the length (I like just below the knee on my girlies).

The big Barbie is modeling the finished dress (everyone was asleep when I finished it!), but it fits my girlies well and they just love it!





So do I!

Let me know if there is interest in the bodice pattern by commenting below and I’ll figure out a way to share it with you all!

I'm linking up at http://cheapchichome.blogspot.com/ &; http://www.thegirlcreative.com/  & made by you Mondays and all the other great linky parties found on the right side of my blog!

13 comments:

KimMalk said...

This is so cute! Don't you love it when you can have a custom outfit that's easy and inexpensive?

Jami said...

I really love this! It took me a minute to figure out the Barbie thing. That's really handy! LOL
Thanks for linking up to Theme Party Thursday!
:)
-Jami

Kristi Flanagan said...

That dress turned out ADORABLE!!!

Thanks for planting your creative seeds at plant a punkin seed party!

Kristi
Punkin Seed Productions

Elizabeth said...

What a cute and easy dress! I love the Halloween fabric. Thanks for sharing.

xo -El

Alisa said...

That is great! It's so cute. Have a Happy Halloween!

malia said...

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Malia
www.yesterdayontuesday.com

Jennifer said...

I've been clicking all over different blogs and somehow stumbled across yours! I'm so glad I did!

I'm a stay at home mom of 5 girls and I would LOVE to figure out how to do this! These dresses would be great over a long sleeved t-shirt for the winter :) I really hope you put a tutorial up on how to create the pattern.

Abbey said...

Love the simplicity of these! I am so making one! Thank you!!!!

Dawn Lopez said...

That is great! Nice job! Thank you for sharing!

I am stopping by and following your blog! hope you will return and follow ours too at Just Married with Coupons

-Dawn

Gramma 2 Many said...

How well I remember late nights of sewing. After I had the children tucked into their beds for the nights. Like you, I liked to make easy and cute. Could and did do the super involved and beautiful too, but for an easy new dress for school in the morning, I would whip out something like this.
Stopped by from Buzz on by Thursday. Will be certain to return often to see what you are up to. Have several grands to sew for now and can always use new ideas:)

Lauren @ 31diy said...

What a great tutorial! Turned out soo cute!

Beth @ Wiccan Make Some Too said...

Time to start making doll clothes...now on my to do list! Thanks

Ashlee Marie said...

that is one big barbie! I'm glad it fit your girls well. It's very cute! And a good tutorial. Thanks for linking up to Topsy Turvy Tuesday.

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