This easy girls dress sewing tutorial includes written and video instructions. It has all the measurements for making this, for any size from 2T to a girls 10.
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Easy Girls Dress Sewing Tutorial Video
Shop the fabrics
Mustard Polka Dot
Floral Fabric
Pink Polka Dot
This dress is simple to make, even for beginners. It looks cute in the original length and also a little shorter with leggings, as your daughter grows. I have one I made for my daughter when she was 5 that she still wears now at age seven.
Iโve included precise cutting instructions for size 2T, 3T, 4T, 5T, 6, 7 and 8/10.
Itโs even fun to make this dress coordinating for sisters. When my girls were little I would pick out three or four fabrics, and then mix them up to make the girls dresses coordinating, but not an exact match. One girl would have the pink fabric in the straps and the other in the bodice, or with the patterns mixed up in some other way.
My oldest son got roped into this one with a matching tie:
They donโt really appreciate matching so much anymore.
My love of sewing dates way back to when I was a kid making little pin cushions for my grandma, with scrap fabric. In high school I wore skirts made from old blue jeans, with the names of my favorite bands stitched in the waist band. I remember designing outfits in my head, when I was supposed to be paying attention to history lectures.
In college, I was hooked on Project Runway. (Confession. I still love that show.)
Point is. Sewing and designing has interested me for a long time.
But nothing could prepare me for the intense sewing obsession that comes with having a baby girl.
The only thing that can fuel the sewing fire more than having one baby girl is having 2. in a row. in less than 2 years.
My sewing obsession
It started with some basic Oliver + S patterns that my mom helped me work through. Up until this point, I had only ever sewed little items that I just made up. No patterns or anything official.
Once I understood basic dress constructionโฆMake a top, make a skirt, add some straps and make sure there is some kind of way to get into it ie. buttons, elastic, stretchy fabric, etc. All I wanted was to just lock myself in my sewing room and do some serious making.
I wanted more. I wanted ruffles, and patterns and COLOR. So much color.
Most of all, I just wanted the freedom to play around with fabric and make something with my own creativity.
There are so many possibilities! For a while I was making so many dresses, that I actually opened an Etsy shop to sell off some of them. Little girls only need so many dresses in their closets.
It was a fun place to really play around with different fabrics and designs. I added ruffles, pleats, fabric rosettes, eyelet, buttons and shirring. A couple of the dresses were made from old curtain fabric. I didnโt really know what I was doing but I was having an absolute blast.
Clearly photography was not yet an interest I was pursuing. Bwahaha.
To me sewing is just so much fun when you break all the rules and just make stuff. I used dresses the girls already had to figure out what length and width they should be. Other than that, I just let my imagination run wild.
This is what I did when I showed you how to create a few items in these posts:
Pajama Sets from Vintage Sheets
Over the years my skills have improved with a lot of trial and error, and the end results are a little more polished.
The point of all this walking down memory lane, to when my almost 10 year old was 2 (insert crying emoji), is to just encourage you that sewing is FUN. There are no rules to follow, and no need to stick to rigid patterns. Add that extra ruffle. Pair stripes and polka dots. Use unconventional fabrics, like table cloths and sheets. It doesnโt have to be perfect to be beautiful.
Today Iโm going to show you how I make one of my favorite dress styles for girls, that I call โBow in the Back Dressโ.
It is perfect for summer with flip flops, or worn over a long sleeve shirt and leggings for the fall. My girls wear dresses like this year round.
I have included all the measurements from my experience making this for every size from 2T to 10.
Easy Girls Dress Sewing Tutorial Cut list
The best fabric choices for this dress are quilterโs cotton, linen and corduroy. Donโt use anything stretchy, like a knit for this project.
2T Size
Bodice cut 2 (one from the main fabric and one from the lining fabric)- 5.5โณ long by 11.5โณ wide
Back bodice cut 2 (one from the main fabric and one from the lining fabric)- This will just be the length from the bottom of the armpit to the bottom of the front bodice, and the same width as the front bodice. Use the front bodice as a guide to cut this piece. (Refer to video if this is confusing.)
Skirt pieces cut 2- 12.5โณ long by 18โณ wide
Straps cut 2- 33โณ long by 3โณ wide
The finished dress length from top of front bodice to hemline should be 16โณ long.
Optional add ons
Bodice embellishment stripes
Apron- Cut 1- 9โณ long by 12โณ wide
Stripe to go across apron- 12โณ long by 1.5โณ wide
Band around the bottom in a coordinating fabric- 5.5โณ by 18โณ (decrease skirt length above by 4โณ)
3T Size
Bodice cut (one from the main fabric and one from the lining fabric) 2- 6โณ long by 12โณ wide
Back bodice cut 2 (one from the main fabric and one from the lining fabric)- This will just be the length from the bottom of the armpit to the bottom of the front bodice, and the same width as the front bodice. Use the front bodice as a guide to cut this piece. (Refer to video if this is confusing.)
Skirt pieces cut 2- 14โณ long by 19โณ wide
Straps Cut 2- 33โณ long by 3โณ wide
The finished dress length from top of front bodice to hemline should be 18โณ long.
Optional add ons
Bodice embellishment stripes
Apron Cut 1- 10.5โณ long by 13โณ wide
Stripe to go across apron- 13โณ long by 1.5โณ wide
Band around the bottom in a coordinating fabric- 5.5โณ by 19โณ (decrease skirt length above by 4โณ)
4T Size
Bodice cut 2 (one from the main fabric and one from the lining fabric)- 6.5โณ long by 12.5โณ wide
Back bodice cut 2 (one from the main fabric and one from the lining fabric)- This will just be the length from the bottom of the armpit to the bottom of the front bodice, and the same width as the front bodice. Use the front bodice as a guide to cut this piece. (Refer to video if this is confusing.)
Skirt pieces cut 2- 15.5โณ long by 20โณ wide
Straps Cut 2- 34โณ long by 3.5โณ wide
The finished dress length from top of front bodice to hemline should be 20โณ long.
Optional add ons
Bodice embellishment stripes
Apron- Cut 1- 12โณ long by 14โณ wide
Stripe to go across apron- 14โณ long by 1.5โณ wide
Band around the bottom in a coordinating fabric- 6โณ by 20โณ (decrease skirt length above by 4.5โณ)
5T Size
Bodice cut 2 (one from the main fabric and one from the lining fabric)- 7โณ long by 13โณ wide
Back bodice cut 2 (one from the main fabric and one from the lining fabric)- This will just be the length from the bottom of the armpit to the bottom of the front bodice, and the same width as the front bodice. Use the front bodice as a guide to cut this piece. (Refer to video if this is confusing.)
Skirt pieces cut 2- 17โณ long by 21โณ wide
Straps Cut 2- 35โณ long by 3.5โณ wide
The finished dress length from top of front bodice to hemline should be 22โณ long.
Optional add ons
Bodice embellishment stripes
Apron- Cut 1-13.5โณ long by 15โณ wide
Stripe to go across apron- 15โณ long by 2โณ wide
Band around the bottom in a coordinating fabric- 6โณ by 20โณ (decrease skirt length above by 4.5โณ)
6X Size
Bodice cut 2 (one from the main fabric and one from the lining fabric)- 7.5โณ long by 13.5โณ wide
Back bodice cut 2 (one from the main fabric and one from the lining fabric)- This will just be the length from the bottom of the armpit to the bottom of the front bodice, and the same width as the front bodice. Use the front bodice as a guide to cut this piece. (Refer to video if this is confusing.)
Skirt pieces cut 2- 18.5โณ long by 22โณ wide
Straps Cut 2- 36โณ long by 4โณ wide
The finished dress length from top of front bodice to hemline should be 24โณ long.
Optional add ons
Bodice embellishment stripes
Apron- Cut 1- 15โณ long by 16โณ wide
Stripe to go across apron- 16โณ long by 2โณ wide
Band around the bottom in a coordinating fabric- 6.5โณ by 22โณ (decrease skirt length above by 5โณ)
Girls Size 7
Bodice cut 2 (one from the main fabric and one from the lining fabric)- 8โณ long by 14โณ wide
Back bodice cut 2 (one from the main fabric and one from the lining fabric)- This will just be the length from the bottom of the armpit to the bottom of the front bodice, and the same width as the front bodice. Use the front bodice as a guide to cut this piece. (Refer to video if this is confusing.)
Skirt pieces cut 2-20โณ long by 23โณ wide
Straps Cut 2- 37โณ by 4โณ
The finished dress length from top of front bodice to hemline should be 26โณ long.
Optional add ons
Bodice embellishment stripes
Apron- Cut 1- 17โณ wide by 14.5โณ long
Stripe to go across apron- 17โณ long by 2.5โณ wide
Band around the bottom in a coordinating fabric- 6.5โณ by 23โณ (decrease skirt length above by 5โณ)
Girls Size 8/10
Bodice cut 2 (one from the main fabric and one from the lining fabric)- 8.5โณ long by 14.5โณ
Back bodice cut 2 (one from the main fabric and one from the lining fabric)- This will just be the length from the bottom of the armpit to the bottom of the front bodice, and the same width as the front bodice. Use the front bodice as a guide to cut this piece. (Refer to video if this is confusing.)
Skirt pieces cut 2- 21.5โณ long by 24โณ wide
Straps Cut 2- 38โณ long by 5โณ wide
The finished dress length from top of front bodice to hemline should be 28โณ long.
Optional add ons
Bodice embellishment stripes
Apron- Cut 1- 18โณ long by 18โณ wide
Stripe to go across apron- 18โณ long by 2.5โณ wide
Band around the bottom in a coordinating fabric- 7โณ by 24โณ (decrease skirt length above by 5.5โณ)
Easy Girls Dress Sewing Tutorial Instructions
Cut all the pieces from the cut list.
Also, cut out any of the optional add ons if you want to add them.
Prepare the strap pieces.
- On one short end of a strap piece, press over ยฝโ toward the โwrong sideโ of the fabric.
- Fold the strap piece in half all the way down the long side, right sides together, and sew a ยผโ seam. Leave the two ends open at this point, including the short end thatโs folded over.
- Using a large safety pin at one corner, turn the strap right side out.
- Press the seam flat.
- Topstitch all along the two long sides and the folded short side, with a very narrow seam.
- Repeat with the other strap piece.
Prepare the bodice and add the straps.
(Watch the video above for more visual instructions on this.)
- With a small piece of paper or scrap fabric, but a rectangle 2โณ by 4โณ. Now draw curved line to round off one edge of the piece. (Refer to the photo below.) This will be your pattern piece to create arm hole areas on the bodice. Fold one bodice piece in half with right sides together. Line up your little patter piece with the outside and top edges of the bodice. Cut around the pattern piece.
- With right sides together sew the main bodice piece to the main back band piece, at the side seams.
- Repeat with the lining fabric.
- Place the sewn main fabric bodice piece inside the sewn lining fabric bodice piece, with right sides together.
- Place the un-sewn strap at one edge of the top part of the bodice, in between the two layers and pin in place.
- Repeat with the other strap.
- Sew around the neckline, arm pieces and back, leaving the bottom open. Make sure to catch the ends of the straps while youโre sewing. Turn the bodice right side out, press and topstitch.
Make the apron. (optional)
If you decided to make the apron, you need to sew it before attaching the skirt.
- First, add the strip across the bottom of the apron, if desired. To do this fold the top over to the wrong side of the fabric 1/2โณ and press. Repeat with the bottom of the fabric strip. Sew it to the apron approximately 5โณ from the bottom.
- Hem 3 edges of the apron by folding the raw edge under 1/2โณ and then another 1/2โณ Press in place and sew with a 3/8โณ seam.
Add the skirt.
- Add the apron to the skirt. (optional) Fold one of the skirt pieces in half to find the middle, and mark it with a pin. Fold the apron piece in half to find the middle, and mark it with a pin. Line up the two pins and sew the apron to the skirt piece, with the right side of the apron piece facing out, and the wrong side facing the right side of the skirt piece. (This is one of the very few times in sewing where youโre not sewing right sides together!) Make sure the apron is centered.
- With right sides together, sew the two skirt pieces together at the side seams.
- Sew a gathering stitch in the top of the skirt piece. (This will gather the apron also, if you decided to add it.)
- Pull the gather strings until the size of the skirt piece matches the bottom of the bodice.
- Pin the skirt to the bodice with right sides together, and sew in place with a 3/8โณ seam.
- Use a zigzag stitch or serger to finish the seam.
- (optional) If you have decided to add a bottom band for a little extra color and pattern (this could also be a ruffle!) sew the two pieces together with right sides together at the side seams. Lie the top of the band piece up with the bottom of skirt, making sur to match the side seams. Sew it in place with a 3/8โณ seam.
- Hem the skirt. Press the bottom of the skirt over 1/2โณ and then another 1/2โณ toward the inside of the skirt. Sew all the way around with a 3/8โณ seam.
Add the buttonholes.
Refer to my video to learn how to use a button hole foot to make buttons. I promise this sounds way scarier than it actually is!
Shop the fabrics
Mustard Polka Dot
Floral Fabric
Pink Polka Dot
Try it on your girl and enjoy!
Pin it for later
Made this for my granddaughter. Just love it! Thanks so much for the instructions.
I just finished making this in size 6 for my 6 year old and itโs perfect!!!! She is a stick so I added a bit of elastic on the back sides to cinch the waist just a bit. Beautiful dress and very easy. The video helped a lot. My daughter loves it and is begging me for another one. Thank you very much for sharing this pattern (and in so many sizes too.)
Awesome! I am so glad to hear this!
Thank you so much for the instructions and tutorial on the โbow in the backโ dress. I made one for my granddaughter today and I plan to use the pattern to make more.
Your pretty โalmost-10-year-oldโ looks just like her lovely mommy! The dress you made is precious. I totally get your love of sewing. I started at around age 7 (many, many years ago!) when mom began teaching me on her old black, straight-stitch-only White brand rotary machine. I LOVED it and never looked back. Now I sew on a big electronic machine making everything from underwear to dresses to quilts to slipcovers and dog beds (plus all kinds of things in between!) Two years ago I was blessed with a great-granddaughter and now Iโm having a wonderful time making pretty things for her.
Considering you work โfrom scratchโ so to speak, the results are beautiful. You are VERY talented.
You are also a terrific mom and homemaker. The way you take care of your home and family is amazing. I admire your devotion to them and wish I had your kind of energy still. I just hope you manage to find a little time for YOU as well. A very wise person once told me, โIn order to take care of them, you MUST take care of yourselfโ. Itโs true.
You go girl, and God bless you and yours always.
Thank you so much for the amazing tutorial! I havenโt sewed in years, but was able to sew my daughter the bow-back dress! She loves it and Iโm excited to get started on a second dress! Thank you!
Hi. I just love the dress pattern for the little girls. I have watched your video tutorial. You said there is a sheet to print out for measurements and etc. I canโt seem to find it. Can you tell me where to look. Thanks, Joyce
Hi! love the dress. I have three boys and would love to sew them some clothes if you have any ideas?! ๐
If these are all from when you knew nothing but pin cushions โฆ you are one talented lady! Cute, cute, cute dresses โฆ all! Even cuter kiddos! I sewed a lot when the girls were small โฆ had to stop later as back troubles caused me pain when working at my sewing machine. I agree that it nourishes your creativity, so I was lucky to be able to find other outlets!
Love your calm and nourishing lifestyle, and Iโm learning a lot from you, dear, while enjoying my โgrandma/Grammy to 15 kiddlesโ years!โ
Wow! Grammy to 15?! Thats awesome. I bet you stay busy as well! ๐
LOVE LOVE You make me miss sewing. I used to make all the dresses for my twin girls (still have most of them). They are now 28 LOL Waiting on a someday grandbaby. Thanks for sharing. Youโre so sweet and talented!
Aww wow! I donโt like getting rid of the handmade dresses either. I usually pass them down to my niece and then my sister stores them in her basement! Haha.
I taught myself to sew when I had my first daughter (also at 23) and I went a little crazy too โ especially after having another daughter and the matching ?! 5 kids later I still love sewing. Creating is a near spiritual experience and makes me feel the most fulfilled. Love your blog.