The source shows how to sew a simple no-pattern dress for a child under five. Use lightweight, stretchy, non-fraying fabric equal to two dress lengths, fold it in quarters, use the child’s T-shirt as a guide, and sew in two pieces of elastic above the waistline.
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Translated
Things you will learn
You need a piece of lightweight, stretchy, non-fraying fabric equal to two dress lengths.
Use the child’s existing T-shirt as a size guide; the fabric width must be at least as wide as the dress.
Each of the two elastic pieces equals half the child’s waist measurement plus ease.
Finished no-pattern dress
A simple children’s dress with cut-on sleeves and elastic at the bodice line.
Materials and tools
Materials
Lightweight, stretchy, non-fraying fabric, The fabric length equals two dress lengths; the fabric width is at least as wide as the dress.
Narrow elastic, Two pieces: each equals half the child’s waist measurement plus ease.
Tools
Sewing machine, For zigzag stitching and side seams.
Serger, Optional: the source permits using a zigzag stitch to finish the raw edges.
The child’s existing T-shirt, As a guide instead of a pattern.
Files and resources
Material by Tuğba İşlerAn external Instagram page cited by the source as the author’s material.
Dress-sewing videoAn external video by the author cited in the source.Dress-sewing video
Preparation
Choose the size
The source addresses a child under five. The method may work for an older girl if the fabric is wide enough; use an existing T-shirt as a guide.
Cut without a pattern
Prepare the fabric
Take a piece of fabric equal to two dress lengths and fold it in quarters.
Mark the neckline and silhouette
At the corner, mark and cut the back neckline. Measure the bodice height slightly above the waistline and draw a horizontal line; then, from the side seam, draw the lower sleeve edge smoothly up to the shoulder line, and draw the hemline from the center to the side seam.
Cut out the piece
Cut along the lower sleeve line and side seam, removing a triangular section, then trim away the excess fabric along the dress hemline.
Sew on the elastic and finish the raw edges
Attach the elastic
Open the piece with the wrong side up. Measure two pieces of elastic, each equal to half the child’s waist measurement plus ease, place them along the marked line, and secure them at the endpoints. The source does not specify the amount of ease; determine it from the fit and the elastic’s stretch. Sew the elastic on with a zigzag stitch, stretching it evenly.
Finish the raw edges
Finish the neckline, sleeve, and hem edges with a serger or a zigzag stitch.
Sew the side seams
Stitch the skirt
Fold the dress with right sides together, pin, and stitch the skirt side seams. If the fabric does not fray, the source permits leaving these raw edges unfinished.
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