Easy Shirred Dress Tutorial

Hey y’all – it’s my first Sundress tutorial of 2016, and it’s a super easy one! Today I’m showing you how to make this shirred sundress, which requires 1 yard of fabric and 1 seam – it doesn’t get much easier than this.

And the best part – this dress will grow with Curly Sue, who has been know to wear dresses I’ve made her waaaay past when they fit anymore. She’s wearing about a size 4T right now, but this dress, since it stretches and the straps are adjustable, should fit for a couple years.

To make this, you’ll need 1 yard of 44 inch wide fabric. Cut it to the dimensions below, then slice off the top at an angle so that the back of the dress is slightly lower than the front. Fold right sides together and stitch the center back seam.

Sew a rolled hem on the top and bottom edges of the dress. Next, use elastic thread to shirr the top of the dress for about 4 inches. Watch the video below for more on shirring with elastic thread; the process for making that skirt is the same for this dress. And if for some reason the video won’t play, you can also watch it on YouTube here. I’ve also got more details about sewing with elastic thread in this post.

Once you’ve shirred the top, make 4 bias tape straps by cutting bias tape 18 inches long and topstitching the open edge closed. Then tie knots on the top ends so they won’t unravel.

Place the straps on the wrong side of the dress, about 1 inch down from the top edge and 2 inches in from the outer edges. Stitch the straps on, backstitching over the entire strap width to secure it.

And you’re done! Which means time to see how this dress twirls of course.