Girls a-line dress pattern: sizes 1 to 8 years

To sew a girls A-line dress, cut the front and back from a light woven fabric, finish the keyhole opening at the back neck, join the shoulders, bind the neckline and armholes with bias tape, add the optional pockets, sew the side seams, and hem the bottom. The Girls A-Line Dress in the Sewzy app comes in sizes 1 to 8 years and takes about 2 hours.

TL;DR

• An A-line dress is wider at the hem than at the chest, so it skims over a child without tight fitting. It is one of the easiest dresses for a beginner.
• The Sewzy pattern runs from 1 year to 8 years. You choose the size by chest measurement, then adjust the length at the hem if you need to.
• It uses light to medium woven fabric, not stretch: quilting cotton, lawn, double gauze, linen, chambray, seersucker or needlecord.
• The neck and armholes are finished with bias binding. The back opens with a small keyhole that closes with one ½ inch button and a short elastic loop.
• Fabric runs from about ¾ yard for the smallest size to 1½ yards for size 8.

What size girls A-line dress should I make?

Choose the size by the child's chest measurement, not by age alone, since children of the same age vary. Measure around the fullest part of the chest and pick the nearest size. The length listed is from the nape of the neck to the hem, so you can compare it to a dress that already fits.

Between two sizes, pick by chest and add length at the hem if the child is tall. For more on reading a size chart, see what size sewing pattern do I need.

What fabric and supplies do I need?

Use a light to medium woven fabric with no stretch. Quilting cotton is the easiest to handle and comes in the widest range of prints, which is why it suits a first dress. Lawn, double gauze, linen, chambray, seersucker and needlecord all work too. Avoid knits and anything stretchy, because this pattern is drafted for wovens.

• Main fabric in the amount from the table above.
• About 1½ inch wide bias strips to make your own binding, or ready-made ½ inch double-fold bias tape.
• One ½ inch button and about 4 inches of ⅛ inch elastic cord for the back keyhole loop.
• Matching thread.

If you are new to picking cloth, the best fabric for beginner sewing guide explains why cotton is forgiving.

How to sew the girls A-line dress, step by step

1. Cut. Cut one front and one back on the fold, plus two pockets if you want them. The seam allowance of ⅜ inch and a 1 inch hem are already included, so cut on the pattern lines.
2. Keyhole. Finish the keyhole opening at the center back neck, which is how the dress goes over the head and closes with the button loop.
3. Shoulders. Sew the front to the back at the shoulder seams and press them.
4. Bind the neck. Wrap bias binding around the neckline and stitch it down for a smooth, stretch-free finish. Binding curves takes a little practice, so go slowly and ease the binding around the curve.
5. Pockets (optional). Fold and press the pocket edges, then edgestitch a pocket to the front in each marked box.
6. Side seams. Sew the front to the back down each side, from the underarm notch to the hem, and press the seams.
7. Bind the armholes. Finish both armholes with bias binding, the same way as the neck.
8. Hem. Turn up the 1 inch hem, press and topstitch it. The dress is done.

A safety note on the button

The back closes with one small button. A loose button is a choking hazard for a baby or toddler, so sew it on very securely with strong thread and plenty of stitches, check it often, and take the dress away from a child who picks at it. Never add a drawstring or long ties at the neck of a child's garment.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Choosing the size by age. Go by the chest measurement. A chart age is only a starting point.
• Using a knit. This dress is drafted for wovens. A stretchy knit will gape at the bound neck and armholes.
• Pulling the binding tight. Stretching bias as you sew makes the neckline cup inward. Guide it gently and let it lie flat.
• Forgetting to press. Pressing the shoulders, the binding and the hem as you go is what makes a handmade dress look neat.

What to sew next

A handmade dress is a lovely birthday or holiday gift, and it pairs well with other simple pieces. Try the free elastic-waist skirt for a matching set, or the free boxy tee, which comes in adult sizes, for the grown-up. For a run of quick presents, see handmade Christmas gifts to sew, and if you are just starting out, easy sewing projects for beginners.

The full Girls A-Line Dress pattern, in sizes 1 to 8 years, is in the Sewzy app, with the rest of the clothing sewing patterns and baby and kids patterns.