It's Sew Simple

Tube Dress with sleeves

By Dolla

The simple tube dress can evolve into many different fashions.  We have created some in previous articles.  Again, we will use the tube dress pattern as our base and create yet another versatile dress.  The dress will have front and back seams.  These will accomodate a  front split and back closure.  Sleeves and beaded embelishments are added for a special touch.  

Remember although these fashions can be sewn by machine or by hand, we will be using a sewing machine.

Supplies

tube dress pattern, created in earlier issue  (or see below for creating a pattern) hand sewing supplies or machine matching thread straight pins scissors or rotary cutter ruler or ruled cutting mat measuring tape fabric remnant stringed beads doll

Instructions for creating the tube dress can be found by clicking here.  You can make the simple pattern for a 11-1/2" or 12" doll.  We will make our pattern 2.75" x 10".  Take the tissue paper or paper towel, measure out the dimensions and draw a rectangle of 2.75" x 10".

LET'S SEW!  Place your tube dress pattern on folded fabric, but not on the fold.  Cut out the dress.  I recommend stretch fabric for a slim fit.  Cut two (2) rectangles for sleeves that are 1" wide and 4" long.

Creating the front split.  In order to make a split at the center front of the dress we shall sew from the top down leaving a portion of the front unsewn.  You should determine the split length you desire.  We will leave approximately 5" at the bottom of our dress for the split.  

With the right sides of the fabric together (RST), sew from the top of the dress down to where you want the split to begin.  If you are machine sewing, backstitch at the top and end to provide stability.  Press the seam open.

Fold under the raw edges of the split and pin on the front side of the fabric (see below).  Removing the pins as you go, start sewing from the bottom of the dress towards the center front seam.  Stop sewing just past the split.  Leave the needle in the down position and turn the fabric (pivot) and sew a few stitches across (about 2 or 3 stitches).  Again, leaving the needle in the down position, pivot the fabric and sew down the other side of the split to the bottom.  The split is complete.

Sewing the dress back.  Since this dress has sleeves, it will need to be removed easily.  The dress will have a back opening.   Turn the dress to the wrong side and place it around the doll.  Bring the center back seam together at the top and place a pin.  Bringing the back seam together, place another pin at the hip continuing down to the bottom edge of the dress.  Remove the top pin and slip the dress off the doll.

Sew the back seam from the hip to the bottom of the dress.  Again, if you are machine sewing, backstitch at the beginning and the end to provide stability.  Turn under 1/4" of the bottom and sew a hem.

(shown pinned, then sewn)

Zig-zag across the top of the dress to stabilize the fabric.  For non-stretch fabric just straight sew across the top.  This is called staystitching.    We will not hem the top of the dress.  You can take a few tack stitches in the center front to show some cleavage.  

Turn under the raw edges of the back opening of the dress.  Sew down the edges similar to the way we did the front split.  Add snaps or hooks for the rear closure.

Sleeves.    Turn under 1/4" and sew (hem) each of the 1" edges.  Reminder: ZigZag if using stretch fabric.  With the right sides of the fabric together (RST), sew from the bottom hem to the top leaving 1/4" opening at the top for attaching the sleeves to the dress.

Put the sleeves on the doll and raise her arm.  Make sure the sleeve seam is under the arm.  Hand sew (tack) the sleeves to the underarm of the dress.  Sew three (3) strings of beads to create the shoulder straps (see below).  

Measure three (3) strings of beads to go around the bust area.  Allow a few extra beads for draping.  Put the three strings together and sew them in the center.  Pull the strands to the rear of the dress and hand sew in place.  

Add shoes and a boa and you have another fashion that was "Sew Simple".  (See finished dress at the beginning of the article.)

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