Hey y’all – today I’m sharing a pattern and tutorial for this faux Peter Pan collar dress – the Fiesta Frock. I think it’s such a sweet option for dress up occasions.
I’m sharing the size 3T pattern here, but this dress is also the newest release in my shop, and it’s available in sizes NB-10, which is the biggest size range I’ve ever done!
And while I loved sewing it up for my niece, it was also fun to sew up a tiny baby version from the pattern in the shop (pictured above). Those baby lips!
Want to make your own? You’ll need:
- 2 yards of fabric. That’s 1 3/4 yards for the dress and 1/4 yard for the collar
- Single fold bias tape, (affiliate link) about 1/2 yard
- Double fold bias tape (affiliate link), two strips that are 8 3/4″ long
- 3 1 inch diameter buttons
- 2 strips of fusible interfacing, 1″ wide by the length of the center back of the pattern.
- The Fiesta Frock pattern. To download the pattern, subscribe to the Melly Sews Weekly Newsletter. AFTER you sign up, you’ll get a confirmation email – and you have to confirm or my email service can’t send you the free pattern. But once you do confirm, you’ll get access to not just this but several other free patterns. Woot!(PS – if you have trouble finding either your confirmation email or the email with the pattern link, try checking your spam, trash, junk, bulk, social and/or promotional email tabs or folders. Free pattern links are also included in every weekly newsletter; these go out on Friday afternoons. Due to the number of subscribers I can’t email pattern links to individuals.)
- Please note that all my free patterns are licensed for personal use only (no selling items made from this – though you can sell items you personally make if you purchase the pattern here) and by downloading you are agreeing to this license. This is for a girls size 3T – chest 22″. The pattern is available to buy in sizes NB-10 here or you can just add it to your cart below.
Cutting instructions for the skirt are on the pattern. Follow instructions on the pattern to cut out pieces.
Sew with 1/2″ seams unless otherwise noted.
Place two of the collar pieces right sides together. Sew around the bottom edge. Clip curves, then trim seams to 1/4”. Repeat with the other two collar pieces.
Turn collar pieces right side out and press.
Place the collar pieces on the bodice front, lining up the neckline and shoulders. The collar pieces should overlap by 1/4” at center front. Pin or baste collar pieces in place.
Fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of each bodice back piece, lining up the edge of the interfacing with the raw edge closest to center back. Finish the center back raw edge with an overlock or faux overlock stitch, then fold that edge to the wrong side on the fold line and press.
Stitch the front bodice to the back bodice pieces at the shoulders, right sides together. The collar pieces will be sandwiched in between. Finish the shoulder seams.
Sew 3-5 buttonholes on the right bodice back piece (wearer’s right), stitching through both layers of fabric. Make sure top and bottom buttonholes are at least 3/4” away from the top and bottom edges of the bodice.
Steam a piece of the single fold bias tape into the same shape as the neckline of the bodice, right sides together. To do this, start at one edge with your iron, pressing the tape down to the bodice, then move a little bit at a time, stretching and curving the tape as you go. Cut tape to extend about 3/4” beyond each end of the neckline.
Unfold the bias tape, and pin to bodice, right sides together. Stitch in the crease line closest to the neckline raw edge.
At the center back, fold the edges of the bias tape in toward the bodice back on the wrong side.
Stitch along the fold of the bias tape on each back bodice side to secure. Backstitch at the shoulder, then cut thread. On the front bodice portion, stitch the bias tape under the collar. You can do most of this by machine, but since the collar is sewn into the shoulder seams you’ll have to hand stitch an inch or so on each side to secure the last part of the bias tape.
Follow the instructions from the original Fiesta Frock tutorial to attach the sleeves and the skirt.
Fabric used in this post is Michael Miller Celebration Glitz border print.
Kristie
Adorable. I love how this turned out. And thanks for including the bigger sizes. I have an almost 9 year old. And while she is skinny, it is nice to have a pattern that will fit!
Shantel
I love the beauty of the simple lines in this dress! Awesome job as always ;0)
Nancy Corwin
I sewed for my 7 daughters many years ago. Now that I have many granddaughters and great granddaughters you have inspired me to sew again. Thank you.
Mary Beth Reeves
I have twin granddaughters and I will be excited to sew for them. I need some inspiration to be creative!