Tie Top Dresses

     If you've ever wandered through boutiques, craft shows or Etsy, you have probably have seen a lot of pillowcase dresses. Why do people love them so much? I think it is because, one, they are incredibly  easy to sew. With no zippers, buttons, or complicated seems, what is not to love about making them! Now add in the big bows in bright colored ribbon and bright fabric. Any little girl would look adorable packaged up in all that! They are also not extremely size specific. Meaning, one size will fit a long time, especially if the length is generous.

      As much as I like pillowcase dresses, I wanted to come up with something different than what I see everywhere else. I played around a bit, and came up with these tie top dresses. They have all the same positives that pillowcase dresses have. They are easy to sew, have no complicated closures, the sky is the limit on fabric and ribbon choice, and they will fit a growing little lady for quite a while.

      Want to make one? Here is how. First, cut out your pieces. You will need to cut a front and back skirt part, and four of bib part. Here are the measurements for the sizes I made. These are measured to be about ankle length, so adjust accordingly if you would like shorter dresses.

SIZE            BIB        SKIRT(width x height)       STRAPS        ARMHOLE NOTCHES

0-3          5" x 2.5"      15 x 11"                            11"                  1" x 1"
12-18m    7" x 3.5"      21" x 15"                          15"                  1.5" x 1"
2T           7.5" x 4"      22.5" x 20"                        20"                  2" x 1"
3T           8" x 4"         24" x 25"                           20"                  2.5" x 1"
5T           8.5" x 4"       25.5" x 30"                       20"                  2.5" x 1.5 "

     You should have six rectangles of fabric cut out.

      Next, cut out the arm hole notches. I know that it does not seem like much to cut out, but trust me. You will need that extra little cut out for a proper fit. Measure across the top for the first measurment, and down the side for the second. Then cut out a curved "L" shape from measurment to measurment.

     Take two of the bib pieces and place them right sides together. Sandwich two or your ribbon straps in between. Make sure that if the ribbon has a right and wrong side it is facing the same direction.

     Sew along the two short sides and the long side that has the raw edge of the ribbon on it. Leave the other long side open. Make sure you catch your ribbon as you sew. Flip right side out and sew the bottom closed.

      Top stitch along the top, just under the ribbon.

     Do the same thing to the other two bib pieces and the other two straps.  Sew a gathered stitch along the very top of your skirt pieces.

     Gather them to the same length as the bib pieces. Place the skirt pieces right sides together and sew up the sides.  Now you will need to hem the arm holes. If you have a serger you can just serge, fold over and sew. Mine, very sadly, is still in the shop so I chose to use hem tape. I folded over the edge just enough to sew, placed a strip of hem tape over top and sewed it down.

     Sew a second stitch along the bottom of the hem tape to ensure it lays flat.

     Now sew each bib section to the top of the skirt section right sides together.

     Flip right side out and top stitch. Make sure to lay the seam on the underside flat as you are sewing. This is to make sure there are no scratchy seams on a little belly.

   Hem the bottom and you are all finished!  

      I added a bit of ruffled ribbon around the bottom just for pretties. You can get creative and use two coordinating fabrics for a different look.

    These are super fast to sew, forty five minutes at the most. Once you've done one, they go even faster. They can be quite addicting. I didn't get carried away or anything! It's a good thing I have a lot of nieces!

      My little lady just loved hers, she told me it was " a berry tute dress momma! I likey dress!".  Well, mission accomplished then I guess! =)

    
"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!...For of him, and through him, and to him are all things: to whom be glory for ever." Romans 11:33,36 

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