Sun Dress Tutorial

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  Step 1

  To cut out the two bodice pieces measure the distance in between your shoulders in inches, adding in one or two inches just in case of difficulties later. You can always trim it down if it is too big. Then measure from the top of your shoulder to your natural waist line with an extra inch for seam allowances. Mine turned out about 21" by 15"

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  Step 2

  Then cut out two pieces using those measurements

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  Step 3

  I then found a shirt with a neckline I really liked to use as a pattern for the dress neckline. I folded the bodice fabric in half and marked the middle with a pin then lined up the middle of my shirt neckline with the pin and traced the neckline onto the fabric with a pen.

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  Step 4

  Repeat with the other bodice piece then cut it out.

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  Step 5

  The lining on this dress is optional but I put one in because the fabric I had chosen was a little bit too light and thin to go without. If you choose to line the dress just repeat the steps we just used to cut out the outer bodice on a lining fabric

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  Step 6

  Then pin the top edge of the lining and bodice together right sides together and sew or serge. Then turn right sides out and iron thoroughly.
  Repeat with the other bodice and lining piece.

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  Step 7

  Then put your two bodice pieces right sides together and sew the shoulder seams.

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  Step 8

  At this point it should start to look like the ugliest poncho you have ever seen. Don't lose faith. It gets better, I promise. :)

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  Step 9

  Then measure how far down from your shoulder you want your sleeve opening to come. Mine turned out to be about 10 inches with the seam allowance included.

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  Step 10

  Take that measurement and double it. Then cut out two pieces of fabric that are 1 1/4 inches by whatever your measurement was. So mine was 20 inches by 1 and a quarter inches. Then cut out two lining pieces using the same measurements. These will be your sleeve cuffs.

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  Step 11

  Sew the outer fabric and the lining fabric right sides together then turn right sides out and iron thoroughly.

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  Step 12

  Then sew or serge the unfinished edges so that it is a little easier to work with.

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  Step 13

  Take the cuff and fold it in half lengthwise and mark the middle with a pin. Then put the right side of the cuff to the wrong part of the bodice piece lining up the middle of the cuff to the shoulder seam. The serged seam of the cuff should be lined up to the serged edge of the bodice except for the last two inches of each side where the cuff should gradually angle out and over the bodice seam. Then sew along the bodice seam, and fold to the outside and iron really well.

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  Step 14

  Then sew one of the side seams together but leave the other alone, that one will have a zipper.

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  Step 15

  Now we need to make a waistband. Cut out a strip of fabric that is your waist measurement (plus an inch for seam allowance) by 3 inches. Then use that piece of fabric for a pattern for your lining piece. Sew these two pieces of fabric together along one of the long sides, right sides together, then turn right sides out and iron well. You are basically doing the same thing you did to make the cuffs. Just a little bigger.
  Then sew a gathering stitch all the way along the bottom edge of the bodice, and gather the bodice until it is the same length as your waist measurement. Then sew the waistband to the bodice, right sides together.

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  Step 16

  It should finally start to look like an actual bodice now.

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  Step 17

  To cut out your skirt, measure your waist and multiply it by 2 and a half, then measure from your natural waist to just below your knee adding an inch or two for the hem allowance. Then gather the top edge of your skirt piece until it is your actual waist size.

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  Step 18

  Then sew it and the bodice waistband together right sides together.

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  Step 19

  Then iron and sew your hem.

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  Step 20

  Now I am simply attaching a tutorial for how to put in a zipper because I can install a zipper but it is beyond my abilities to explain how I get it done!
  http://www.craftsy.com/blog/2013/02/couture-sewing-techniques/

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  Step 21

  Iron it well and then you are finished!

Comments

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Regina K. · Thisted, North Denmark Region, DK · 5 projects 30th June 2017

You got the bodice measurement from your shoulders, did you not measure for the bust at all? Or did you double check and know there was enough room for the bust? Such a cute dress! I want to try it out but that part really confused me.

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Edward J. 25th August 2016

I will definitely try to do it myself, it looks amazing!

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