Easy long sleeve dress

Alright, here it is the super easy super quick and cute long sleeve dress tutorial. Please feel free to make as many dresses from this as you like and if you blog about making one from this tutorial, link up to me please.

Here we go:


First you'll need a 1/2 yard to a yard of (washed and dried) fabric depending on how big your little girl is. I can get away with a 1/2 yard right now. Then pick out a long sleeve shirt that fits your girl well or is a bit bigger. She can always grow into this. Make sure you have a sewing machine and matching thread. And finally a 1/4 in piece of elastic that is about 10-15 inches long.

Start by folding the fabric in half with the selvage sides together. Then fold the fabric again so the raw edges(side that is frayed) are together.

With the folded sides at the top facing away from you, you should have something that looks like a book cover.

Next fold your shirt in half so the sleeves are together. Place the fold of the shirt on the fold of the fabric.

Then cut around the sleeves leaving about a 1/2 in extra for the seam. Make sure to leave extra room as well for the arm pit.

When you get to the body of the shirt stop for a second and get some pins and pin the fabric in a line so that it follow the shape of the shirt. I like to go all the way to the end of the fabric, but you can go shorter or longer. My dress is 17 inches from shoulder to hem.

Once you've put in the pins remove the shirt and just cut the rest of the fabric.

Make sure to cut a little curved triangle from the top corner as well, for the neck hole. Remove the pins and open up the fabric. Put it over you little one's head to make sure the neck hole is wide enough.

Then check the shape of the dress to make sure you like the way it drapes. I usually do an A-line type dress with curved edges so that she has a rounded dress.

When you are satisfied with the shape, turn the fabric so the right sides are together.

Now sew from the cuff of the sleeve to the bottom of the dress on both sides.

 Then sew the cuffs. Turn the edge of the fabric over then turn it again just over itself. Now sew up the cuff.

Do the same for the other cuff.

Do the same for the hem of the dress.

Measure the elastic so it is about the same length as the shirt neck you used for the pattern. The casing for the neck is really simple, as it's essentially the same thing as we just did for the cuffs and the hem. Fold the fabric down a little then fold it over itself.

You'll need to measure the elastic up against the fold so that you are sure you have enough space to pull the elastic through. Then pin around the whole neck. Starting from whatever side you want sew close to the edge of the fold all the way around until you reach the beginning again. However don't sew all the way to the end. Make sure to leave 1/2 in opening so you can get the elastic through.

Attach a safety pin to one end of the fabric and use it to help you pull the elastic through the casing. When you get it through to the other side, pin the ends together and try the dress on your kid. Make sure the open it tight to your liking. Then take it off her and turn it inside out again.

Because the elastic is so small I just hand stitch it closed with a few back stitches. Then let the elastic go and sew up the little opening an voila you are done!

If you use this tutorial and find it fantastic or terrible, please leave a constructive comment so I can make it better for you. Thanks so much for sewing with me!