Summer dress free Pattern

The first 3 tier dress I made was this with dupatta that my childminder kindly gave it to me to try out my new passion. It might have been my 4th project.

The neck was small, sleeves were far too complicated and binding was rubbish. I was learning how to use the sewing machine

And then it was winter and I was so into skirts and to get the back elastic perfect that I forgot everything else.

Once it was summer this year I really wanted to show off the beautiful skin of my daughter.  My first idea was a sleeveless version of the tiered dress I had made that could be used in winter as well with a tee under it. Then I thought when would she wear a proper summer dress. And there it was this blue fabric I bought in Goldhawk road starting at me.

The original idea was to make a nightie out of this out of this pattern. By the way that's a free nightie pattern in size 2T

I really wanted to do the 3 tier again but without the sleeves. I was negotiating the sleeves option but then thought I wanted a very fitted bodice and the only way I was going to have it was to have

- Shirring at the back OR

- Have a very fitted pattern with buttons or zip all over the back.

My hands were itching and I wanted to get started. It was at 10 in the night. Couldn’t wait for the morning or rather the weekend to buy shirring thread so used elastic just to see how to front of the dress turns out. It worked beautifully - front and back and could put off to learn shirring for later.

I’m already thinking of variations of this pattern. And doodling them.

I've called this pattern Mela - A fair as I thought it will be perfect for wearing at a fair.

DOWNLOAD INDIAN SUMMER FREE PATTERN HERE 
Please Note that I've not tested the pattern for any other size than size 2T. Please use the pattern and tutorial at your own risk for other sizes. :)

Here is the pattern that I've tried to draw:

 Mela Summer dress Features:

- Fitted bodice

- 3 tiers

- Shoulder straps fully adjustable tie back

- Bias tape/binding finished bodice and hem

- Easy for a beginner

- No serger required/a basic sewing machine with basic straight stitch skills is enough.

If you need to learn to sew refer the full set of tutorials to learn to sew. Specifically what you need to know before you start: (click on the link to learn about it)

1. How to wind bobbin

2.  How to thread sewing machine and sew a straight line

3. What is grain, selvage, warp, weft

2. What is seam allowance

3. What is basting

4. How to finish raw edges without serger

That's it really. Along the tutorial I'll show you how to gather. But if you need to go through my full tutorial - here it is

Finished dress:

Refer here for more photos.

Size chart: All measurements in cm. 

I've tried to use inches, but just couldn't get my head around it. You can read my ramblings here

 

Choosing Fabric for summer dress: 

Refer to this post on why I selected this fabric although I do not recommend it. I really need to have a distinct right and wrong side for the tutorial to make sense.

Choose a really lightweight cotton for this project.

Fabric required: Again everything is in cm

Full Photo instructions to make summer dress:

1. Supplies for summer dress ePattern:

Full details of supplies for summer dress

2. Download summer dress free ePattern and cut fabric

Full instructions how to download epattern, how to trace epattern if you don't have access to printer or want to save fabric and how to cut fabric.
All seam allowances are 1.5 cm.

3. How to Sew bodice and bias bind:

How to sew bodice pieces togther

4. How to layer skirt and join bodice

 How to form skirt tiers/layer with step by step instructions

Mela Summer Dress Photos: