A Pleated Dress For My Niece

Hello @needleworkmonday community, I just realized I haven't sent in my entry for today. I've been so uninspired to write a sewing post recently even though I've been doing a lot of needle work. I made this dress for my niece some weeks ago from leftover fabric I got from my mum. I used less than a yard of fabric and bought everything else.

I got lining fabric, bias for the neckline,armhole and waistline, a zipper and roses for the waistline.

The Making

The pattern of the top half was drafted on paper and then placed on fabric and cut out

After cutting, the front and back pieces were sewn together with the lining fabric

I made two belts to go on either sides of the waist

For the pleated bottom, I cut out two pieces of fabric two times the waist measurement. I pleated one for the front and divided the other into two to pleat for the back

After pleating, the pleated skirt was joined to the top half of the dress at the waistline. The bias was then top stitched across the waistline

I joined front and back pieces together with the belt at the waistline and top stitched the bias on the neckline and armholes

Next, I tacked on the roses at the waistline and sewed in the zipper at the back

Lastly, I folded and sewed the hem of the dress

The Finished Look

She's a very active kid so it's hard getting a proper photo. She loved the dress and refused to take it off until it got hot at night.

Thanks for reading