Measure around your child's chest. Sadie's was 21 inches, so I made the width 5.75 inches, + 1/4 inch for seam allowance, 6 inches across. Then I made the side seam 2 inches long (it depends on your child how large you want it but it can be big or small, depending on the waistline you want). I then used a pattern I had, or you could use a shirt, to determine the slope of the arm hole...then draw a shape similar to this one for the neckline/strap area. If this sounds confusing...just try to copy the picture with your child's measurements. It's not as hard as it sounds, promise. You can make the front of the bodice curved, or straight across, like this pattern below.
Now draw out another pattern piece, as wide as your side seam (in my case, 2 inches) and longer by my width by about an inch. (don't use my 5.75 inch measurement...it needs extra room for the button) trust me.
Then cut out your bodice pieces-2 pieces on the fold for the front, like so...and 4 pieces for the back piece.
Ribbons are great for straps! Mine were 5.5 inches...now would be where you measure your child to see how long they need to be.
If you want fabric straps, here's how to do those.
1. cut out two pieces of fabric 6" x 2.5"
2. fold in half lengthwise, and sew
3. turn right side out and press.
place bodice front pieces right sides together, with the straps sandwiched between them like so. Make sure to leave room for your side seam allowance.
pin and sew around the top of the bodice...not the side seams yet!
clip curves, turn right side out and press with your iron
Place your rectangle pieces right sides together, pin, and sew down one short and one long side like so.
Trim corners, turn right side out and press.
Pin your bodice front piece to your back pieces like so, right sides together.
Press with your iron, this is what it should look like now. Lay your straps down, and mark where they should attach to the top of the back piece.
Use your seam ripper to rip the seam the width of the strap.
blurry pic...but can you see where the ribbon inserts into the top of the back piece?
Turn wrong side out and sew that in. Both sides. :)
sewn in.
Lay your bodice flat, lining up the side seams, and baste together the bottom part of the middle portion, where it should overlap.
Then mark where you want your button hole, make it, and then sew on your button.
Or do a snap. Or velcro. whatever you fancy :)
Now for the skirt...I cut two panels that were 10"x18", for my 12 month size shown. Selvage to selvage is usually a good amount for gathering (for an older size)
sew the short side of the fabric right sides together, and finish with serger/zig zag stitch.
using your longest straight stitch size, sew along the top of your fabric tube, close to the edge. Make sure to leave a little fabric tail.
use your thread tail to gently pull and gather your skirt til it fits your bodice.
pin your two pieces right sides together, make sure to line up your seams on one side. Sew together, with a slightly larger seam allowance so you hide your gathering stitch. Finish with serger or zig zag stitch.
Hem it and you're done!
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