With the peek-a-boo under the ruffle, shoulder bows, and sequin embellishments, this dress will incite many oohhs-and-aahhs as the flower girl walks down the aisle.
Cut out the four pattern pieces. Use this size chart to determine your cut list. For the shoulder bow, you can create a drawstring tie or use a grosgrain ribbon.
Place the two outer pieces of fabric on top of each other matching all the side edges. Use scissors or a rotary cutter to cut a small curve in the bottom edge that goes up to one side.
Pin the two outer pieces of fabric, right sides together. Sew the pieces together with a 1/2" seam allowance. Finish the seams with a serger, pinking shears, or zigzag stitches along the outside edge of the seam.
Pin the two pieces of lining fabric, right sides together. Sew the pieces together with a 1/2" seam allowance. Finish the seams with a serger, pinking shears, or zigzag stitches along the outside edge of the seam.
Pin the two pieces of ruffled fabric to the right. Sew the pieces together with a 1/2" seam allowance. Finish the seams with a serger, pinking shears, or zigzag stitches along the outside edge of the seam.
Fold the bottom edge of the ruffled fabric 1/4” to the wrong side and press. Fold under 1/4” to the wrong side and press. Sew around the bottom edge to secure, thus folding your ruffle.
To fold the outer fabric, do the same thing we did for the ruffle; Take care to press around the curve of the fabric. Press bottom edge under 1/4" to wrong side, fold back under 1/2" to wrong side and press. Sew around bottom edge to secure. * Do not fold the lining.
Sew a gathering stitch along the top edge of the ruffle. Gather the ruffle until the top edge is the same width as the lining.
Put the steering wheel on the right together with its lining; match the side seams so that the gathered edge is along the bottom edge of the liner. Position it to hold it in place and sew with a 1/2” seam allowance. Finish seams with a serger or zigzag stitch along the outside edge of the seam.
Press seam up and edge stitch to secure.
Slide the ruffled lining inside the outer dress (both are right side out), match the side seams. Pin around the top edge to keep it in place. Just stitch around. Finish the edges with a zigzag, serger, or rose shears stitch.
Please refer to the following to determine armhole size:6-12 months. =6 inches; 18 months to 3T =6-1/2 inches; 4T to 6T =7 inches; 7 to 8 =7-1/2 inches. Use a ruler to measure two inches from the side seam along the top edge. Measure down from the top edge, along the side seam, to the length specified above. Cut at an angle from the two measured points. Finish cutting the edges with a zigzag shear or serger. Bend the saw edge 1/4” to the wrong side and press. Sew to secure. Repeat for another armhole..
Fold the top edge of the dress an inch to the wrong side and press. Sew along the bottom of the folded edge. Repeat for the front and back of the dress.
Fold the lace tie in half, right sides together, and pin the long outer edge. Sew along the long outside edge with a 1/2" seam allowance. (Skip this step and the next if you are using grosgrain ribbon.)
Turn the lace loop right side out and iron. Fold the ends of the raw side into the lace tie 1/2 inch and press. Sew around the outside edges.
If using grosgrain ribbon, simply cut a piece of ribbon the same length as the tie measurement on the board and apply Fray Check to the ends. Attach a safety pin to one end of the cord tie or grosgrain ribbon, whichever you're using.
Use the safety pin as a guide to pull the ribbon or bow through the top hem of the dress.
Gather the top edges of the dress and make a bow with the ribbon.
Cut a small piece of sequins or lace trim.
Use straight pins to mold the sequin embellishment into the desired shape on the peek-a-boo lining of the dress (where the lining shows). We made a small heart, but you can decorate it with the initials of the bride and groom, for example. Use a needle and thread to hand sew directly onto the dress.
And you're done!
