Hello all!
We are so excited to have just finished the first of two store samples of Figgy's Sunki Dress! A quick and easy pattern to follow and sew for our pint-sized friends. This dress has li'l pockets hiding in those oh-so-cute princess style lines. Perfect for gathering all kinds of winter treasures while frolicking about and showing off this lovely handmade dress.
This sample was sewn out of a gorgeous woven Lecien fabric from the Kamedajima collection, paired with a Lecien blue and beige polka dot cotton voile. Note that adorable raw-edge ruffle detail that Jessie, our garment sewing teacher, added to the neckline. A super easy way to add flare and style.
Come in and ask her how she did it...or keep reading for the tutorial.
How to make a gathered bias tape ruffle (Jessie was able to get enough bias tape after gathering, with a tiny bit left over, from a 10" by 10" square of fabric for a size 6/7 dress):
First, take your fabric of choice and make 1" wide bias tape. The Colette patterns website has a great tutorial here for making continuous bias tape.
Then, sew a line of stitching 1/4" from one of the raw edges. This will help control that raw edge and keep the fabric from unraveling past that point.
Next, sew a row of basting stitches 3/8" from the other raw edge, leaving long thread tails at the beginning and end of the row. Do not back stitch at the beginning or the end of the row. Pull on those thread tails to gather that bias tape up to your liking!
Lay the bias tape over the neckline pieces to cut the appropriate lengths. Jessie gave herself about 1/2" seam allowance on either side to finish the edges with a narrow rolled hem.
To sew, lay the bias tape along the neckline of the dress, correct sides together, matching up raw edges. Baste. Then lay the facing pieces on top of the ruffle and continue to follow the pattern as written.
Ta-da!! Cutest neckline ever!
