*Tutorial* for the Tubie Sundress

This little sundress is made from a series of rectangles, so its very simple to make and easy to adapt to different sizes. The measurements I have supplied are to create a dress that will fit a girl approx 8 years old.

This knit dress is made up of a series of rectangles. They are pictured above, and from top to bottom I will refer to them as Bodice band (green knit), Bodice (apple knit), waistband (green knit), skirt (apple knit) and hem detail (green knit). The rectangles formed into tubes of fabric, which are subsequently joined to form the dress. Hence the name "tubie sundress"

Cutting the fabric

You will need to use a stretch fabric, any composition should work (jersy, interlock, lycra, cotton lycra etc), although I personally prefer a cotton jersy with a small amount of lycra (ie t-shirt fabric). The measurements of my pieces of fabric are as follows (roughly a girls size 8 and to fit chest size measurement of approx 57cm):

Bodice band (green knit)- 2 rectangles of fabric 17cm x 29cm

Bodice (apple knit)- 2 rectangles 22cm x 29cm

waistband (green knit)- 2 rectangles 9.5cm x 29cm

skirt (apple knit)- 1 rectangle 30cm x 150cm

hem detai (green knit) l- 1 rectangle 8.5cm x 150cm

I used a rotary cutter to cut my rectangles, just to make it quick and neat. To adjust the size up or down I suggest taking a chest measuremnt of the child you are making the dress for, or even measure an snug fitting t-shirt from the childs wardrobe (you could even USE the t-shirt... slice off the sleeves and neck and use it as the bodice part) and using that to base the width of the rectnangles. The skirt "tube" should be roughtly 3 x the circumference of the bodice tubes . Of course you can also adjust the length of the rectangles, it you want a longer or shorter skirt, shorter bodice or thinner waistband etc.

To sew the dress

Step 1: With right sides together stitch the bodice pieces together at the sides. I have used an overlocker with the differential feed adjusted to suit stretch fabrics. If you are using a regular sewing machine use a zig zag stitch.

Step 2: With right sides together stitch the bodice band pieces together at the sides.

Step 3: Fold the bodice band in half so that the raw edges meet and the wrongside/seams are hidden on the inside of the fold. Slip the folded bodice band over the top of the bodice tube. Match the side seams and pin the raw edges of the the bodice band and the bodice together (there should be 3 raw edges).

Step 4: Stitch the bodice band to the bodice. Set bodice aside.

Step 5: With right sides together stitch the waistband pieces together at the side seams.

Step 6: with the waist band tube inside out, slip it over the bottom of the bodice piece (waistband and bodice have right sides touching). Match the side seams and pin the raw edges of the two pieces together. Stitch the waistband to the bodice.

Step 7: Press the bodice band seam and the waist band seam towards the bodice.
Step 8: Admire your handiwork so far then set it aside.

Step 9- join the side seam of the "hem detail" piece of fabric. It should be a tube with a giant circumference. Fold the tube so that, with right sides outwards, the raw edges meet. Press.

Step 10: With right sides facing stitch the side seam on the skirt piece. Then slide the "hem detail" tube over the bottom of the skirt tube. Match the raw edges and pin in place. Stitch the hem detail to the bottom of the skirt piece.

Step 11: press the seam towards the skirt piece.

Step 12: Admire your handiwork again!

Step 13: To gather the top of the skirt piece so that its small emought to stitch the waistband piece run 1 or 2 rows of basting stitch around the top of the skirt piece. Basting stitch is a regular straight stitch that has been lengthened to a stitch length of 4mm. Pull the bobbin threads of the basted rows of stitching until the circumference of the skirt is gathered enough to match the circumference of the waistband piece.

Step 14: with right sides together slip the skirt over the bodice piece and match the raw edges. Distribute the gathers evenly and pin the raw edges together. Stitch the skirt tube to the waistband tube. Pull out the basting threads and press the seam towards the waistband.

Step 15: Shoulder straps. You can either leave the dress as a boob-tube, add 2 shoulder straps or add a single strap at the centre front and tie the dress up halter neck style. Straps could be constructed from knit or woven fabric (sew into a long thin tube), clear elastic or ribbon. Simply stitch the straps to the inside of the bodice band using a regular straight stitch- the stitching will be visible from on the front of the bodice but can be hidden by stitching an embelishment over it, for example a button, or a ribbon bow or fabric flower. In the photo below I have added two shoulder straps from clear elastic, but I later removed this and added a halter neck tie and a button embellisment. When the dress has gone through the wash I will take a photo of it and add in a picture.

Note you are free to use this pattern to make and sell garments, with a simple request that you acknowledge it as a tin whistle/milly sayer pattern.