This sweet button shoulder dress is perfect for baby and includes a step by step sewing tutorial and pdf pattern.
Hey y’all, today we’re going to sew a baby dress pattern! I just love short little dresses on babies with chubby little thighs, and this dress is also perfect for that other Southern baby-wear staple – MONOGRAMS! Since the bodice is fully lined, it’s a great  piece to monogram because you know that the wrong side of the monogram won’t touch the baby.
The 0-3m size sewing pattern is free to newsletter subscribers, details further in post. If you need a different size, the Raleigh Romper and Dress pattern is available for purchase and comes in sizes newborn-3T. To buy the Raleigh Romper and Dress Pattern, click the Buy Now button below. You’ll get an email with your download link after payment.
The romper version of the pattern is pictured below and you can also see more in this post.
The fabric I used for this dress is from the Riley Blake Rodeo Rider collection. I used Rodeo Calico Mint for the dress and then I just had to make some coordinating bloomers with ruffles from a different pattern in Rodeo Stars Mint. (Note that both of these fabrics are now out of print). This pattern can even be sewn by beginners if you replace the shoulder buttons with sew on snaps. I consider buttonholes to be an above beginner skill. However, snaps that are hand sewn are more beginner friendly closures.
Materials to Make a Baby Dress Pattern
Whether you’re sewing for your own baby or making this as a gift, here is a list of materials. Note that this is just for the dress, not a matching diaper cover. To make this baby girl outfit you’ll need:
- 2/3 yard of fabric for the dress
- 2 buttons
- The pattern (see below)
How to Get the Pattern
The free pattern is in size 0-3m. Click your preferred option below to get the free pattern only as a newsletter subscriber, or you can buy the full digital pattern + printable instructions.
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Please note that all my free patterns are licensed for personal use only (no selling items made from this unless you purchase it) and by downloading you are agreeing to this license.
How to Sew a Baby Dress Pattern
Here’s the video tutorial below; if you prefer written instructions, you can scroll on by. If you want to watch this directly on YouTube, you can see it here.
Note – in the video I sew two pieces together for the skirt, but in the written instructions below I say to use one piece and only 1 piece is called for on the pattern. When I shot the video I didn’t have enough fabric to cut it all in one piece, so you’ll see two. Either way the skirt ends up the same dimensions.
Written Baby Dress Sewing Instructions
After you’ve cut your pieces, put the fronts and front lining right sides together. Stitch around the armholes, shoulders and neckline as shown below, using 1/2 inch seam allowances.
Clip the curves as shown above, then clip the corners (not shown, but you just clip diagonally across the corner as close to the stitching as you can without cutting through it). Turn the bodice right side out and press. Repeat these steps with the back bodice.
Stitch the buttonholes on the bodice front.
Place the front and back bodice pieces lining sides together. Then fold the outer fabrics up, matching the underarm seams. Stitch the side seams in one line on each side. (If this confuses you, try watching the video).
Fold the skirt fabric in half, right sides together, matching the short edges. Stitch so the skirt is a loop. Finish this seam (need help with seam finishes? See this post). Then sew 2 lines of basting stitches around the top of the skirt to gather it. Leave long tails on these lines.
Pull the bobbin threads to gather the top of the skirt. Gather until the skirt top is the same width as the bottom of the bodice.
Turn the skirt right side out, then turn the bodice lining side out. Place the skirt inside the bodice, matching the skirt seam with the center back. Pin the outer bodice fabric only to the skirt, then stitch.
Fold the raw edge of the lining 3/8 to the wrong side, then pin this folded edge so that it covers the seam from the previous step. (Confused? Check the video above). Stitch in the ditch on the right side of the bodice to secure the lining in place.
Sew your buttons on and you’re done! You can also topstitch around the bodice if so desired.
This dress also goes perfectly with the bloomers from last week’s post too!
Sylvia L Millet
I like your sewing tutorial. It is very well organized and detailed. Thank you for sharing your sewing expertise with us.
Jan
Melly, you are fabulous~best video I have seen. Have you any ideas for a winter baby bunting/bag, perhaps made of fleece or faux fur? The mom- to be- crochets, but does not sew. I would love to sew her something for the new baby for the winter~mom can add the hat.
Jan
I don’t understand the stitch in the ditch. How is this sewn so that it is not on the right side of the dress, and only on the wrong?
Melissa Mora
Because the stitching on the right side is hidden in the ditch of the seam. It’s there, but very hard to see.
Alisa
Your Baby Collection is Amazing, I always want to have same Collection for my upcoming Angel.
Cesca
I have just followed your pattern to make a beautiful dress for my baby girl. I don’t know how to do button holes so I have put applique flowers on the straps and shall use poppers instead. I also edged the skirt in white lace and it looks adorable.
Terri C
Thank you for the free baby dress pattern. I was able to sew up a sweet little dress for my hairdresser who is bringing home a newly adopted little girl very soon.
Ansie saayman
The tutorial was ver helpfull. Thanx a lot.
Rafika
Thank you very much for this free tutoriel. It help me a lot being a novice in sewing. Big hug from Algeria and Happy new year
Thao
Thank you
Kelley
I am also new to sewing and want to thank you for all of your guidance ~ especially all of the baby items~~As we have FOUR brand new babies born this past year !! 3 of our 4 grown kids had little ones! We even got a set of twins! ♥
This Nana needs to become proficient quickly! 🙂 So, many thanks to you! This dress (and baby!! omgoodness!) are precious. Cannot wait to make several! Say a prayer! ♥ I think I can do this!!
David
Sewing a baby dress was never easy for me. But after finding you, now I can say it is a great fun. I must try myself now.
Rox
That is adorable! thank you for the free pattern. I have been making simple tops for myself and utilitarian things for my home but we recently got two brand new baby girls in my family and I am so excited about making this cute little dress and your romper and bloomers, too. Your tutorials are so easy to follow, even for a self taught aficionado lilke myself, thank you!
Anabella Rios
Wow what a beautiful tutorial. Thank you so much for your tutorials, patterns and pics of the finished product.
magda
Hi! I would like to thank you so much for the free pattern and very clear instructional video. I managed to sew a dress for my friends who just had a baby AND I finally understand how to sew lining! (I am a beginner). The only thing I changed was skirt, I used half of the circle, not a rectangle. It looks so great 😀
Ann
Hi, I am having a problem finding the skirt length measurements, I wondered if you could tell me? It is for the 0-3 month size.
Lively pattern 🙂
Ann
Linda
I just made a sundress adapted from your site. It is for a childhood TOOTLES DOLL. She hasn’t had new clothes for 63 years! The dress is adorable. Thanks for the inspiration!
Teddie Aggeles
I love your video . It is the best I’ve found and it’s made me want to try making this baby dress for my niece’s little one. Your video on this baby dress made me excited about sewing. The dress is adorable and the video is so detailed, easy to understand and you took the time to show all the steps. Thank you. I’m now a subscriber.
Stephanie
Thanks for this great pattern. I found it on Pinterest and it finally gave me the courage to sew my first dress. Now I just have to wait for our daughter to be born so that she can wear it
Maureen Curlewis
After four boys. I have finally been blessed with a female great grand- daughter. I am so looking forward to sewing girlie clothes again . Thank you for your pattern.