Tutorial for a Cute Ruffle-back Sundress (plus a coupon code for 83% off the pattern!)

Happy Labor Day!!! To make this a day of sewing for all of us, my friend April wrote this darling tutorial for tweaking Cadie's Wrap Around Dress to add a back full of ruffles. And I'm offering this pattern for only $1 this week only. Scroll to the bottom to get the coupon code. :)

 

Hi!  I'm April and I blog over at Wildflowers & Whimsy!  I absolutely love Caroline's Cadie Wrap Around Dress!  I just think it it sooo adorable, but if you have ever visited my blog, you know I also LOVE ruffles!!!  And if you haven't been to my blog, just let me tell you, I LOVE RUFFLES!!!!  So, I decided to add ruffles to the back of the dress.  I think it's a really simple and fun addition!

Here's what I did:

**Note:  Please know that some of my pics don't match up exactly to what I am telling you to do.  I had a lot of trial and a lot of error, so this is more of a "do as I say, not as I do" tutorial!  lol**

Cut out the dress according to the pattern.  Then, cut out the center right at the front and back neckline, so that you now a front and back instead of one piece.

Since we changed the style to a sundress, the front and back neckline will be too wide now so you will need to gather them...I just sort "eyeballed" it, as they say...  ; )

Next, I cut out two straps.  

9m-18m ~ 4" x 7"

2 - 4  ~  4" x 8"

5 - 8  ~  4" x 9"

Fold them in half long ways and press.  

Open it back up and fold the raw edges to the center crease and press.

Now, fold it back closed, press and edge stitch down each side.

Now attach them to each side of the front of the dress like this, but the part that will attach to the back should be pointing to the bottom of the dress...not up like in this pic.  In other words the raw edges should be touching.

Now finish the edges of the FRONT of the dress with bias tape according to the instructions.  Then, press the straps up like they are in this pic and top stitch across the top edge to tack them up and in place. 

  

Fold the back piece like this and press the sides to make creases...you will only add ruffles in between the creases.  Measure between the creases and multiply that number by 2, so if it's 8 inches btwn the creases, you will cut your ruffles 16" long.

Now decide how long you want your ruffles to be, and divide the height of your back piece by that number.  

EX:  you want your ruffles 3" and your pattern piece is 21" from top to bottom.  21 / 3 =7

So you would cut 7 - 3.5" x 16" rectangles for your ruffles  (the extra half inch in the height is for seam allowance to attach the ruffles.)  I recommend either cutting your ruffles on the bias or using pinking shears so you don't have to worry about finishing all those egdes.  You can see below I used pinking shears...I think it added a cute detail...

Gather your ruffles along the top edge, and attach them to the back of the dress between the creases.  Now, I have a confession.  I can NEVER figure out how to properly space ruffles!  So, I just lay them out from bottom to top pinning as I go and just sort of "eyeballing" like I said before.  Then, once I have them all placed how I like, I stitch them down.

Once, you have all your ruffles stitched in place, attach the straps and finish the edges with bias tape just as you did for the front of the dress.  Make sure at the top where the ruffles go all the way to the edge of the pattern piece you put the edges of the ruffles under the bias tape so that they don't stick out...trust me it looks weird...

Last add the closures according to the directions and you are done! 

**Note:  If you want to use ricrac like I did on the edges, apply it on top of the bias tape...not instead of like I did!...seriously made myself a headache when I did that!**

Thanks for having me Caroline!  Hope y'all enjoy!

April

wildflowersandwhimsy.com
wildflowersandwhimsy.etsy.com

...and here's the coupon code so you can get the pdf pattern for Cadie's Wrap Around Dress for just $1 and make a little ruffle-back sundress for your own little girlie girl.  Just visit my website www.carolinafairdesigns.com and after you put Cadie's Wrap Around Dress & Top in your cart you can use coupon code 'cadieforadollar' to get the price reduced to $1. This coupon code will only work until Saturday, September 10, 2011, so don't wait! If you want to buy it in my etsy shop instead, put the coupon code in the notes to seller section so I can refund you $4.95 (etsy won't let me make the right kind of coupon code for this). Happy Labor Day everyone!