bohemian peasant dress tutorial

For some reason bohemian is the word I think of when I see this dress, so I’m going with it!
Bohemian peasant dress it is!
So even though I got the boot the first week of Project Run and Play, I had already sewn a dress for the second week, so here’s my version of the Sweet Little Dress pattern by Leila and Ben-your basic peasant dress. It was a great pattern I thought. Here’s how I did what I did.

Click below for more!

You’ll need:
pattern-I cut mine out to be a 2T size, which was a little bit too big, but it’ll fit her longer, so that’s good! My fabric cuts are for this size.
fabric
-main fabric-1 yard
-sleeve ruffle and skirt band-1/2 yard
-underskirt and tie-about 1/2-3/4 yard
thread
1/4″ elastic
rotary cutter is handy
basic sewing things
 First I meddled with the pattern, and cut it off a few inches below the arm hole.
 I should have raised my cut up a bit, but it worked out.
Then I cut my pattern pieces like so, adding about 1/2″ to the pattern like the picture shows.
 For the band at the bottom of the skirt, I figured I wanted it to be about 2.5″ wide, so I added 1/2″ to that, measured 3″ up and drew a line across the pattern. After I cut out the underskirt I cut off this piece of the pattern and cut two on the fold just like the dress.
 I cut out the underskirt with 1/2″ extra on top too, and about 3.5″ below.
Then I trimmed some off of the main skirt piece in order for the band to show.
 I also cut out my sleeve pieces, and two pieces of the green fabric 2.5″ wide on the fold, to be the sleeve ruffles.
So here are all the pieces! Oh, and I cut out one long strip of the blue to be my tie-44″x3.5″.
Now to the sewing!
I used my serger for some of these seams, but the majority of the sewing was on my machine.
I sewed my sleeve ruffle band to the bottom of the sleeve piece, right sides together (RST)
Then I hemmed the bottom of the sleeve ruffle.
 Next I pinned and sewed the skirt band(s) to the main skirt piece(s).
Press with your iron well after every step-it really makes a difference!
Then sew your skirt pieces RST, lining up the band seams.
I also did the same for the underskirt piece. (sewed the skirt pieces RST)
Next I hemmed both skirt pieces and basted them together along the top.
For my tie, I folded my piece in half lengthwise and serged it together, then turn right sides out and pressed with my iron. I trimmed the ends with my pinking shears-the lazy way out. haha
Not shown, but next I put together the bodice according to the pattern directions.
I then flipped the sleeve ruffle down like this:
and then sewed about 1/2″ from the edge, leaving an inch open, creating my casing. Then I threaded the elastic through, sewed it together, and sewed the opening shut.
I also sewed my casing for the neckline and put my elastic in as well.
Then I flipped my skirt piece inside out, and inserted the bodice so the pieces were RST.
Lining up the side seams, I also added pieces of ribbons cut to 4″ long like so on the side seams to hold my tie in place.
Pinned it well, and sewed it with 1/2″ seam, and serged the edges.
 Turned it right side out, threaded the tie through the loops….and….
whala!

Also pictured below: the Pez candy I give Sadie to pose for me. Hey-it works! and she loves that it pops out of the Little Mermaid’s head. Win win.

 
Wanna make a cute headband too? it’s easy.
I cut a piece of fabric with my pinking shears to stop the fraying. It was about 1.5″ wide…not sure how long, probably 18″ or so, I ended up cutting some off…no biggie, just adjust as needed!
Thread a needle, and sew a large running stitch through the bottom of one edge like so. Pull to gather into a flowery shape…and secure together with some stitches.
I cut out a piece of green felt to layer and Sadie picked out this yellow button for the top, she’s got a good eye. 😉
Also cut a piece of felt slightly smaller than the flower.
 Then I hot glued it to an elastic headband (found at Target, I believe) and was done!
Cute, no? Then wrestle dress your model and enjoy the cute eye candy!
I go my fabric for the dress here and here, from my lovely new sponsor, The Scarlet Poppe. 

Comments

  1. Love this! Your Daughter is just too adorable! Love all the headbands you add!

  2. This is probably my favorite dress that you’ve ever made, Jess. It’s just beautiful. The fabric combination is unbelievable. Really gorgeous.

  3. The color combination is fantastic!

  4. It is adorable!

  5. Love the dress colors and the head piece. It totally helps that you have the most adorable model EVER!!!

  6. This is my fav dress you’ve made so far! I love the style and the fabric….and that Sadie is precious!:) I totally want to make one, but I’m waaaaay to inexperienced in sewing to do it right now….maybe one day!

  7. Gorgeous. The dress, the fabric, your little Sadie. Just gorgeous.

  8. I have this pattern http://www.etsy.com/listing/62163466/the-perfect-little-party-dress-pattern

    everything is already cut apart!

    LOVE her dress!! So cute! What fabric did you use?

  9. I don’t know which is more adorable, the dress or Sadie modeling it.

  10. That little girl should be a model. Sadie is such a ham for the camera – I love it!!!

  11. This is so cute! Love how it turned out!

  12. What great fabrics! I love that pattern as well, I will have to try adding the ruffles next time!

  13. I just gave you an award, go check it out http://www.mrssassycrafter.com/2011/01/i-got-award-yaaayyyy.html

  14. Super adorable. What a cute dress (and kid). 🙂

  15. LOVE LOVE LOVE! As soon as I saw your post I just HAD to have the pattern:) headed to the fabric shop tomorrow!!

  16. I’m a new follower! Your blog and little girl are TOO cute!!! I want to try and make that dress for my little one too.

    http://www.ragstostitchesboutique.com

  17. I’m a new follower! Your blog and little girl are TOO cute!!! I want to try and make that dress for my little one too.

    http://www.ragstostitchesboutique.com

  18. I’m a new follower! Your blog and little girl are TOO cute!!! I want to try and make that dress for my little one too.

    http://www.ragstostitchesboutique.com

  19. I’m a new follower! Your blog and little girl are TOO cute!!! I want to try and make that dress for my little one too.

    http://www.ragstostitchesboutique.com

  20. I’m a new follower! Your blog and little girl are TOO cute!!! I want to try and make that dress for my little one too.

    http://www.ragstostitchesboutique.com

  21. I’m a new follower! Your blog and little girl are TOO cute!!! I want to try and make that dress for my little one too.

    http://www.ragstostitchesboutique.com

  22. I’m a new follower! Your blog and little girl are TOO cute!!! I want to try and make that dress for my little one too.

    http://www.ragstostitchesboutique.com

  23. I’m a new follower! Your blog and little girl are TOO cute!!! I want to try and make that dress for my little one too.

    http://www.ragstostitchesboutique.com

  24. I’m a new follower! Your blog and little girl are TOO cute!!! I want to try and make that dress for my little one too.

    http://www.ragstostitchesboutique.com

  25. I seriously LOVE this dress. And Sadie is ADORABLE. So stinkin’ cute!
    Will you give me sewing lessons? And maybe lessons in pairing fabrics? I LOVE your choices here!

  26. I seriously LOVE this dress. And Sadie is ADORABLE. So stinkin’ cute!
    Will you give me sewing lessons? And maybe lessons in pairing fabrics? I LOVE your choices here!

  27. I seriously LOVE this dress. And Sadie is ADORABLE. So stinkin’ cute!
    Will you give me sewing lessons? And maybe lessons in pairing fabrics? I LOVE your choices here!

  28. I seriously LOVE this dress. And Sadie is ADORABLE. So stinkin’ cute!
    Will you give me sewing lessons? And maybe lessons in pairing fabrics? I LOVE your choices here!

  29. I seriously LOVE this dress. And Sadie is ADORABLE. So stinkin’ cute!
    Will you give me sewing lessons? And maybe lessons in pairing fabrics? I LOVE your choices here!

  30. I seriously LOVE this dress. And Sadie is ADORABLE. So stinkin’ cute!
    Will you give me sewing lessons? And maybe lessons in pairing fabrics? I LOVE your choices here!

  31. I seriously LOVE this dress. And Sadie is ADORABLE. So stinkin’ cute!
    Will you give me sewing lessons? And maybe lessons in pairing fabrics? I LOVE your choices here!

  32. I seriously LOVE this dress. And Sadie is ADORABLE. So stinkin’ cute!
    Will you give me sewing lessons? And maybe lessons in pairing fabrics? I LOVE your choices here!

  33. I seriously LOVE this dress. And Sadie is ADORABLE. So stinkin’ cute!
    Will you give me sewing lessons? And maybe lessons in pairing fabrics? I LOVE your choices here!

  34. Precious! I am SO making this! Thanks for the tute!

  35. I made the headband for myself (im 21) and I find that my bottom layer is way to big for my head. But my gem was also a lot bigger, so I think that contributed to the overall huge-ness of my flower.

  36. I’m a little late in seeing this but I’m in love with this little dress! The link to the pattern no longer works, is it available somewhere else? Thanks so much!!

  37. Gorgeous baby girl, beautiful dress!!

    The pattern link doesn’t work though…:o(

  38. the dress is so cute, beautiful girl. I love your blog. Best wishes and greetings from Poland.

  39. How do you suggest I do the seams (ex sewing the sleeves to the bodice) without a serger? I tried a zig zag stitch but it looked terrible. The seam doesn’t have to stretch but I’m worried about fraying inside the garment. Thoughts?

    Thanks!!

  40. Anonymous says

    Voila!

  41. I love it! 🙂 Pinning and following your blog now 🙂 Thanks for sharing! Such helpful tips and images!

Trackbacks

  1. […] Bohemian Peasant Dress Tutorial – This uses a pattern from Etsy, but the tutorial that walks you through it is helpful. […]

  2. […] own from any basic raglan sleeve pattern. Jess at Craftiness is Not Optional has a similar Bohemian Peasant dress tutorial Or you could also start with the U R My Sunshine dress by Kelly at Sewing in No Mans […]

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