This flutter baby dress pattern is so much fun to make! This is an easy 15-minute baby dress that can be made from a rectangular piece of fabric. It is super comfy and perfect for summer! I love the dress in stripes and polka dots but you could make it in solid colors and prints too.
With everything going on right now, isn’t it a great time to relax with a new sewing project? It would help you keep engaged and give you a mood boost when you see the final product. It can be a great stash buster too, as it does not involve too much fabric. Make the pattern in different colors and prints for your little one to wear, all week long.
These flutter baby dresses are so easy that with the cutting done, you can whip them up in almost 15 minutes! No gathering required and no buttons or hooks to sew. Just a rectangular piece and a piece of elastic would do all the magic! Of course, there are straps to be sewn, but you can replace the straps with gross-grain ribbon if you are looking for a very quick- sew dress.
The flutter ruffle formed along the chest line without much of a hassle gives the baby dress all the prettiness and the girliness it needs. You can add lace, pompoms, or rick rack trims along the hemline to make it prettier!
You can also sew this as a flutter baby top to go with my baby bloomers and my baby diaper cover patterns. In fact, I found the pattern cuter paired with puffy bloomers and diaper covers.
Click here for matching bubble bloomers.
Click here for a simple baby dress with a yoke pattern.
- The tutorial has been edited a few times to include the suggestions of my readers.
15 Minute Baby Dress from a Rectangle
Finished Length:
Table-1
Note: Pinch to zoom the tables if you are on mobile.
Materials Required:
Medium- weight cotton fabric in a desired print and color- requirement specified in the table below.
3/8- inch elastic- requirement specified in the table below.
Sewing Notions.
Fabric Requirements:
Table-2
Gather your supplies.
Measurements:
In the table below, “L” stands for the length of the fabric and “W” stands for the width of the fabric piece to be cut.
Table-3
Cut the dress piece and the strap pieces, referring to the table- 3 above.
Let’s do the upper elastic casing of the dress.
Fold one of the longer edges of the dress piece by 3/8- inch and press.
Fold again by 1 and ½- inch and press once more.
Sew down the fold along the edge.
Next, we do the casing for the elastic.
Sew a straight line ½- inch above the earlier stitch to form the casing for the elastic.
Take the required length of the elastic, referring to the table-2 above, and insert it through the lower casing, using a safety pin.
Secure the ends of the elastic by sewing back and forth a few times.
Let’s do the lower hem of the dress.
Fold the lower edge of the dress twice by ½- inch and press to set.
Sew down the hem along the edge of the fold.
Here you can add the trim along the hemline if you like.
Place the trim along the hemline and pin. Sew to attach.
Fold the dress over, with the right sides together, and sew the side seam shut.
Next, we need to do the straps.
Take one of the strap pieces and fold the two longer edges towards the wrong side by 3/8- inch. Press to set the folds.
Next, fold one small edge towards the wrong side by 3/8- inch. Press to set the fold.
Fold it in half lengthwise and press once again.
Sew the strap shut along the edge. Repeat on the remaining straps.
Place the strap 2.5- inches from the sides of the dress, with its lower edge extending the elastic casing by ½- inch. This would be the dress front. For the dress back, you will need to pin them 3.5-inches from the sides. This is done to prevent the strap from falling off the shoulders when you tie them together.
Secure the strap by sewing above the elastic casing.
Reinforce the strap by sewing below the elastic casing as well.
Our dress is done!
Lesley
Wednesday 6th of September 2023
What is the side seam allowance measurement, please?
Surayya
Monday 11th of September 2023
The seam allowance is 3/8- inch for all my patterns, unless otherwise specified.
Lauri
Friday 28th of July 2023
Love the pattern so much fun to make! Thank you❤️
segree
Monday 18th of April 2022
thank you for this beautiful dress pattern. instructions are so detailed. i have attempted it and am now eager to sew many many more.
Michelle
Thursday 23rd of September 2021
Hi there i want ti make your cute little dress for my granddaughter. But im struggling witj inches. Begginer sewer i know 😂 problem is if i convert it to cm it is a very long dress in lenght it is 98.5 cm is this vlcorrect
Surayya
Wednesday 6th of October 2021
Hello, 98.5 cm is approximately 39.5- inches. The dress cannot be that long. Please note that as per the fabric measurements given in the tutorial table, ( refer to the picture above the table) the width of the fabric piece that is cut forms the length of the dress.
Barb Clough
Sunday 2nd of May 2021
Thank you so much for this pattern and excellent instructions - made one for my 9 month granddaughter- so adorable!!!