How to make a kids' dress

1. Materials & tools

Materials (child dress)

• Fabric (cotton, linen, lawn or double gauze) — 110 cm wide × 80–100 cm
• Double-fold bias tape (about 1.1 cm) — for the neckline and armholes (~120 cm)
• 1–2 snaps or small buttons for the back opening

Tools

• Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
• Fabric marker or pencil
• Ruler and scissors
• Iron
• Pins or clips

2. Make the pattern (auto-generated in Katagami)

With the Katagami pattern tool, you just enter the finished size and it drafts a seam-allowance-included pattern, tiled to print at actual size on Letter or A4.

1. Open the tool
   Open the pattern tool and choose “Kids' clothes” → “Kids' dress” from the tabs at the top.
2. Enter the size
   Start from a height preset, then adjust the bodice and skirt lengths.
3. Set the seam allowance
   Use the slider at the bottom (beginners: 1.0–1.5 cm / about 3/8–5/8 in).
4. Print
   Press “Print (actual size)”, then in the print dialog set Scale = 100% and turn “Fit to page” OFF. Check the 50 mm calibration box on the first guide sheet with a ruler.

3. Cutting the fabric

1. Fold and cut
   Place the pattern fold edge on the fabric fold.
2. Cut the bodice
   Cut the front and back bodice each on the fold (the front neckline is lower).
3. Cut the skirt
   Cut the front and back skirt each on the fold (2 pieces).
4. Finish the edges
   Zigzag or serge the edges.

4. Sewing

4-1. Sew the shoulders

1. Sew the front and back bodice at the shoulders; press open.
2. For a back-button opening, sew up to the opening stop and leave the top open.

4-2. Bind the neckline and armholes

1. Sew bias tape to the neckline, turn and topstitch.
2. Bind both armholes the same way.

4-3. Gather the skirt

1. Sew the skirt sides into a tube (leave one side or the center back open if using a back opening).
2. Sew two rows of long stitches at the top and pull the threads to gather to the bodice waist width.

4-4. Join bodice and skirt

1. Match bodice and skirt waists, distribute the gathers evenly and sew all around.
2. Press the seam up and topstitch from the front.

4-5. Finish

1. Sew the bodice sides, add the snap/button at the back, double-fold and topstitch the hem, and press.

5. Tips & variations

• Pinafore: make it in corduroy or denim to layer over a tee.
• Fuller skirt: cut the skirt wider for more gathers.
• Grow with them: deep hems let you lengthen it later.