The Naptime Goddess: Tuxedo front dress.....

My sewing machine is to me what a computer game is to my husband. :) I have been having so much fun with it lately. I strongly encourage you to make the most of yours. Read the manual and then read it again. I am not a great seamstress by any means but there are just so many fun things to sew.

Here is my latest project. I didn't use a pattern so I will try to explain how I did it. At the bottom of the post I will show links to different tutorials that have helped me.

I used the same bodice pattern for this dress that I made for the sheet dress only shorter. All you do to make this is find a dress with a bodice that you like, lay it out on a large sheet of paper or plastic, trace it, and then cut it out leaving yourself a 5/8" seam allowance. I cut the back exactly the same as the front. I wanted it lined and the seams not to show so in actuality I cut 4 of the same pattern. Does that make sense? :) Two for the front panel, and two for the back.

When you sew the lining together with the outside pieces it hides your seams. Lining at least the bodice of a dress is nice for modestly issues as well as maintaining the color of the fabric. In the back I made a slit and then sewed in a loop of elastic. This is an easier closure than a zipper (in my opinion).

For the front ruffle, I simple cut a 4" wide strip of fabric and hemmed the edges. You can serge them if you want to do it faster. Then change your stitch length longer. Run a stitch down the center of the fabric (don't back stitch of either end). To ruffle your fabric, hold onto the back thread and scoot the fabric down. I hope that makes sense.

Then attach this to the front of the bodice, trim off the excess and sew on the buttons. I chose high contrast fabrics because I like that look but I think monotones would be just as beautiful. I found this fabric on a clearance sale. I got 2 yards for $3.25. I love the turquoise with the red. I added a band of red to the bottom of the bodice and skirt to tie it all together.

For the skirt, I simply made a wide tube, pleated it, and sewed it onto the bodice. Don't forget to overcast or serge the inside seams so that you don't get a lot of fraying when it's washed.

Here is the finished product. I absolutely love it. I would have normally done a gathered skirt because it is a little easier but this striped fabric was just screaming for pleats.

I ended up completely opening the back and adding more buttons because it was hard for her to take on and off by herself. I also added ties when I sewed the bodice up so that it would always fit well at the waist.