15 Minute Baby Dress from a Rectangle/ Easy Sewing Project
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.
How does the dress version look on this little munchkin? This baby model is 2 months old, approximately 20 inches tall, has a chest measurement of 15.5 inches, and is wearing a newborn size.
The same little one is now wearing the top version of the design, looking just as adorable and comfy.
- The tutorial has been edited a few times to include the suggestions of my readers.
15 Minute Baby Dress from a Rectangle
Finished Measurements:
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.
Material Requirements:
Table-2
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
Let’s do the upper elastic casing of the dress.
Next, we do the casing for the elastic.
Let’s do the lower hem of the dress.
Here you can add the trim along the hemline if you like.
Next, we need to do the straps.
Our dress is done!
Find the webstory for the post here: Sew a Dress in a Flash: The 15-Minute Rectangle Wonder
I have tried to print out the diaper cover and sundress but it always comes out so small that I can’t read any of the words. So how do I get a pattern of these items?
To download the printable version, you may purchase the patterns in PDF format:
Diaper cover- https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=9NWCQC2RHUNKS
15 Minute baby dress- https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=DM8SEYL7TBAMC
I’m confused why there’s fabric sizes for “top” and fabric for “bottom.” Isn’t the dress one piece of fabric (besides the straps)? Thanks!
The pattern is made from a single piece of fabric but please note that it can be made in dress and top lengths. The table shows the measurements for dress and top in two different columns.
Hello! Looking forward to making a few of these dresses 🙂
When looking for how much fabric I need for the 12m dress, it seems like its a lot….It says 18.5 X 40 inches?
Is this correct?
Thanks so much 🙂
Please refer the picture above the measurement table to determine the cutting layout. You will need fabric a little above 1/2- yard for a 12-month-old. The 40-inches would be gathered by the elastic to fit the chest.
Do I have your permission to use this pattern and sell the finished dress/bloomer set? I’m not sure I’ll even do it but if I do it will be at a local farmers market. I’m a beginner to approaching-intermediate sewer and your instructions are excellent. I need something to do to make money and I think this will help. I have a newer sewing machine from my old Singer that I haven’t even threaded up yet.
I am glad you liked my pattern. You may sure sell finished items made from my patterns but in small quantities.
Made this for my 9 month old granddaughter do you have a pattern for 5yr old sister?
Thank you
Thank you for taking interest in my pattern. For a 5- year old, you need to join 2 pieces, 23- inches long and 23- inches wide for the dress body. For the ties, you may cut four fabric strips 2-inches wide and 25- inches long. Take 24- inches of the 3/8- inch elastic for the chest. Continue sewing the dress as directed in the tutorial. Hope that helps 🙂
So would that be 46 wide
I have used fabrics 44-inches wide in the tutorial. For the fabric widths required for each size, refer table- 2 of the tutorial.
I am trying to download the free easy baby dress with collar. I am having difficulty finding the pattern. Can you please help?
Thank you.
Kindly enter your e-mail address in the box provided in the middle of the blogpost, just under the ‘ materials needed” section. You should be able to download the pattern template smoothly.
Hi . Could you give the size I would need for a 12 year old please .. she is a skinny one …thankyou looking forward to doing the baby one tomorrow …. Look so forward to you emails … You have kept me sane in mad time . 😉❤️
Kindly refer table-1 for the finished measurements. You may measure the chest and the required length of your child and choose the size accordingly.
I love, love, love this pattern!!! It’s so easy and so adorable. I’m making a bunch of them to donate to families going through hard times. I hope that’s ok. I’m having a blast. I need the little bloomers pattern next, more fun. Thank you so much!!! I wish you had something Easy for little boys. You are so clever!!!
Thanks a lot, I am flattered!
Thank you for this great pattern. I really enjoyed making it. Now all I need is my daughter to actually be born so she can wear it.
Thank you so much for this pattern and excellent instructions – made one for my 9 month granddaughter- so adorable!!!
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
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.
thank you for this beautiful dress pattern.
instructions are so detailed.
i have attempted it and am now eager to sew many many more.
I love your adorable striped 15-minute dresses in the photos, but I was wondering if anyone could share some pictures of real babies wearing them?! Thanks!
Love the pattern so much fun to make! Thank you❤️
What is the side seam allowance measurement, please?
The seam allowance is 3/8- inch for all my patterns, unless otherwise specified.
there are printed bias tapes you can get (I got some at Homesew.com)- add that to the hem vs the ball trim or ric rac if you don’t have any… and also use as matching straps & it will look perfect AND be easier than actually making straps.
Thank you for this!
I’ll be making it for my 1.5 yr old granddaughter!
This is my 1st clothing piece I have made, my 2 yr old granddaughter will be excited. Thank you for the easy instructions. I do have 1 questions about the straps, when measuring the 2½ and 3½ placements do I stretch the fabric flat or just let it relax?
That’s so sweet — your granddaughter is going to love it! 😊 For the strap placement, simply measure with the fabric laying flat and relaxed — no need to stretch it.
I just went to PayPal and purchased the pattern/instructions but have not received
any email with pdf …etc. Can you please help with this? Today is Jan 19, 2026 5:33 pm
here in Indiana.
I heard from Surayya and received a lovely email…and the pdf file was attached. Thank you so much, appreciate it !!!