CHILDS SIZE SHIRRED DRESS INSTRUCTIONS

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CHILD SIZE SHIRRED SUMMER DRESS

(feel free to email me with any questions)

By Shannon Hebert northerngirlstamper@yahoo.com

Materials Sewing Machine Fabric of choice

Elastic Thread (42%polyester/58%rubber)

Machine Settings (I use a Janome 9700 memory Craft) Stitch Length should be to the longest one on your machine mine is a 5 Keep your tension the same as you would for any other straight stitch as you do not want your stitching to fall out Wind the elastic thread around a bobbin but do not pull tight. You will wind it until the bobbin is full. Insert it into the bobbin case in your machine. Pull up just like your regular bobbin. Use Machine cotton thread of your fabric choice for the top thread. You do not have to use any special sewing feet, your typical sewing foot works perfect. Fabric Calculation Cut (2) @ 19 x 16 DRESS BASE WIDTH - Measure the width around the chest Example: chest is 19 DRESS BASE LENGTH - Measure the length by starting at the top of the chest (shoulder height) down to the length you will want. I want this dress to be below the knees so I am going to measure just above the knees as I will be adding a coordinating fabric to the top and bottom of the length of the fabric. Example: 16 DRESS TOP TRIM This will be the same width of the base by the length you want the top trim to be. In this case I want it to be 2 so I will cut it (2) @ 19 x 2 as I will have a seam allowance on both ends. The very top end will be folded twice therefore needs seam allowance. DRESS BOTTOM HEM - This will also be the same width as the dress base by the length you want the coordinating hem to be. This one is a 4 length so I will cut it 19 x 4 as this will also have a seam allowance on both ends. The very bottom end will be folded twice therefore needs seam allowance. BE SURE TO TRIM OFF ANY STRAYS FOR A PROFFESIONAL FINISHED LOOK HAND WIND THE BOTTOM WITH THE ELASTIC THREAD. DO NOT PULL TIGHT

Shannon Hebert www.northerngirlstamper-shannon.blogspot.com

CHILDS SIZE SHIRRED DRESS INSTRUCTIONS

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Instructions: 1. With right sides together sew the two base pieces at one side seams using a 5/8 seam allowance.

2. Do the same for the top two trim pieces and the bottom hem pieces.

4. Be sure to change the foot to the correct one for your machine to do the overcast stitch. Stitch all open seams and press to one side. 3. Sew the top trim to the top matching seams and using a seam allowance and the bottom hem also matching seams. I finish each end off with an overcast stitch.

Shannon Hebert www.northerngirlstamper-shannon.blogspot.com

CHILDS SIZE SHIRRED DRESS INSTRUCTIONS

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5. You will do your hemming on both ends. This is the top trim and bottom hem . 6. To create a straight hem every time I run a straight stitch along the whole end.

9. The below image should be the finished pieces before you start shirring your project. 7. I then take it to my iron and press over right at the stitch line of an inch and then fold over and press another of an inch.

8. Stitch a straight stitch along the whole end. I match the edge of my pressure foot to the fabric for a perfect straight stitched seam.

10. You are now ready to start shirring your dress.

Shannon Hebert www.northerngirlstamper-shannon.blogspot.com

CHILDS SIZE SHIRRED DRESS INSTRUCTIONS

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11. Place the top end of the dress in your machine fabric face up. 12. Your stitch length on your machine should be to the longest one you have. In my case it was a 5.

15. For this dress I stitched 12 rows lining the edge of my presser foot to the last stitched row. 13. You will now sew rows of straight stitch to create the shirring effect.

14. The fabric will automatically begin to shirr on its own. Each row you add will shrink it more.

16. Sew the open end closed with a straight stitch and then an overcast stitch. 17. You can then add ribbon straps or use coordinating material like I did for this one. 18. My straps are 15 x 2 . I created them just like you would a bias tape. 19. Fold it in half lengthwise and then fold each long end to the middle and then fold in half and press with iron. Be sure to also fold in one end as this will be the end that ties around the shoulder to the other strap.

Shannon Hebert www.northerngirlstamper-shannon.blogspot.com

CHILDS SIZE SHIRRED DRESS INSTRUCTIONS

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20. I placed the straps 2 from the center seam and sewn in place. 21. You can now also add any other embellishments such as ribbon or flowers. I created a fabric flower to go on one side of the dress at the waste.

22. Finish off your project my cutting any loose fraying for a professional finish. Fabric flower tutorial can be found at the link below. http://northerngirlstampershannon.blogspot.com/2011/04/nestabiblities-fabricflower.html

Shannon Hebert www.northerngirlstamper-shannon.blogspot.com