Ric a Rac Dress

Here's the tutorial! My first ever, so don't judge it too harshly. If you have questions, leave a comment and I'll try to help.

Supplies:
1-2 yards of fabric (depending on the size of your child)
Equal amount of lining
One or two reams of ric rac
10-15 buttons
Coordinating thread

Method:
1. Find a shirt or dress that fits your child well to start making the pattern. Trace the entire bodice, divided in half lengthwise.

2. Add 1/2" to all edges except the center line. Cut this piece out and label it "Front" with arrows to indicate that the center line should be placed on the fold.

3. Trace the "Front" piece onto another piece of fabric. You may want to alter the neck line and make it a bit higher for the back. Cut this piece out and label it "Back" and indicate with arrows that you should add 2" to the center line when cutting.

3. Hold the "Front" piece up to another piece of paper and mark its width. Determine how far down from the bodice you want the skirt to fall and mark accordingly on your new paper (don't forget to add 1" for a 1/2" seam allowance). Add a few inches to the bottom width of your skirt piece (I added 3") and then connect your bottom width with your top width using a ruler. Label this piece both "Front" and "Back" with arrows to indicate adding 2" to the center line for the "Back" and arrows to indicate that the center line should be placed on the fold for the "Front." Cut the skirt piece out.

4. Use the bottom width of your skirt piece to measure the width of your band piece. Determine how long you want your band to be (don't forget to add 1" for a 1/2" seam allowance). I made mine 4" long. Cut out this piece and label it "Band" with arrow indicating that the center line should be placed on the fold.

5. For the sleeves, we will not make a pattern piece. Instead find a round object to trace that seems proportionate to your model. This is not an exact science, just guesstimate and make sure the form is totally round. Ev and I used a mixing bowl for her dress. Likewise, for the front panel, you will determine the size according to the scale of the dress you are making.

Now you have all  your pieces! Here are the cutting instruction:

Fabric:

Cut 1 "Front," 1 "Back," 1 skirt front, 2 skirt backs, 2 bands, 2 sleeve circles, one rectangle the size that you want your front panel to be (remembering that you need to add 1" to the length and width for seam allowance)

Facing: same as Fabric

Coming up: sewing instructions