Is someone you know expecting a sweet baby girl? This simple pattern hack will show you how to make a darling on-trend bell sleeve baby dress DIY for the little bundle of joy! Take a break from pink by using this beautiful blue and green floral fabric; it’s the perfect addition to any little girls’ wardrobe. Read on for the ruffle sleeve tutorial and details on this gorgeous quilting cotton.
There was a time, not too long ago, that it seemed I was planning or attending a baby shower almost every Saturday! My friends, cousins, siblings and in-laws were all having babies at the same time and it was so fun shopping for and making all the pretty baby things.
Sadly, most of my friends aren’t having babies anymore and so it’s less often that I get an excuse to make something itty bitty and super cute.
One of my sweet friends from our old neighborhood recently discovered that she was expecting a baby after experiencing infertility and undergoing IVF years ago. In a crazy twist of fate, 7 years after her second and last baby was born, a third miracle baby showed up! I love when that happens.
I knew I wanted to do something special so a couple friends and I got together to throw a “greatest baby shower” luncheon for her and I got to make this precious dress! (Scroll down for a few pictures of the shower and the most amazing cupcakes)
First, let’s talk about the fabric: It’s called “Brushed Bouquet” in Delphinium from the Crisp Petals collection by Natalie Malan (the bloomers are made out of Brushed Geometric in Blue Jay from the same collection). I’ve met Natalie a few times at various blogger functions and you need to know that she’s about the sweetest person I’ve ever met! She is also an INCREDIBLE artist and designer. I was really geeked out that she created a fabric collection and I loved working with it!
I used my Infinite A-line Dress Pattern in size 6 months and had great fun adding these tiny ruffles to the sleeves. It was as easy as you might expect and this can hardly be called a tutorial, but here’s what I did for this baby dress DIY!
Instructions
- I sewed up the bodice with the short sleeve option and then measured the sleeve opening. I then cut out two strips of fabric measuring 4″ wide and DOUBLE the measurement of the sleeve opening. So if your sleeve opening is 8″ around, then your ruffle pieces will measure 16″ x 4″.
- Create loops out of the long rectangles by sewing the short ends together, RST. Then finish the raw edges of one end, and then fold under abdout 1/4″ and stitch.
- Gather the opposite end of the ruffle as follows: Stitch two rows of basting stitches along the raw opening of ruffle and pull bobbin threads while gathering fabric.
- Pin ruffle to sleeve opening, matching seamlines and gathering ruffle to fit sleeve. Stitch and finish raw edges.And that’s it! Easy peasy upgrade that gives a lot of bang for your buck (or time). The little diaper cover was made using this tutorial. I also considered lengthening it a bit to make it more like old-fashioned pantaloon bloomers. Wouldn’t that be cute?? Someone try that for me, please!I hope you love this version of the Infinite A-line pattern and if you do make this or another version, be sure to join my FB pattern group and add pictures of your creation!
Keep scrolling to see some cute pictures of our shower luncheon and the new mama…
Tammy, the mom-to-be, and her (hilariously irreverent) aunt
More friends!
These cupcakes were as delicious as they were cute!!
These invitations were my favorite part! I got them from THIS Etsy shop and they were totally customizable.
No Comments