Bubble Dress Tutorial

June 26, 2009 9:25 am

Let’s get started on the bubble dress!!

The first thing you need to do is measure your child’s chest width. Leave some extra room because you don’t need a zipper or button for this so you want to be able to get it over her shoulders. Cut a piece of fabric that desired length and 4 1/2 inches wide.

Next measure the strap length you want and cut that length by 4 1/2 inches wide. Here’s what you should have.

Now we are going to iron our pieces. Fold the chest piece over and press it with your iron. Do the same with the back straps.

Now sew only the back straps along the seam then turn right side out. Then what I like to do is iron it flat with the seam in the middle. That way when you attach the straps you don’t see a seam on the side. It’s particular, I know :) So iron flat as shown.

Next you want to close end opening of the back straps because we are going to attach them to the inside of the chest strap. You don’t have to do this part, but you won’t get any fraying if you do. I serge mine, but you can do yours however you want. After you do that lay them out on the inside of the chest strap where you want it to go, and pin in place. Then top stitch it in place.

Now put that piece on your child and figure out where you want the back straps to lie, pin on the inside of the chest strap, and stitch in place.
At this point the top of the dress will be done. What I like to do is do a stitch all the way across the front of the chest strap for decorative purposes and I do the same along the back straps.
Now for the skirt!! Now that you have your chest measurement already, double it in length for the dress portion because we are going to gather it. Make it whatever length you desire.
Now it’s time for ruffling (you all know it’s my favorite thing :) ) Ruffle the top of your fabric skirt (for instructions, click here), then pin it to the chest strap as shown. Then sew it in place.

Here’s how it will look now.

We’re almost done! Now sew the back closed as shown. Make sure that you leave spare room so you cans lip it over your child’s head easily.

Now for the bubbling! Fold over the hem, however wide your elastic is, and sew closed, leaving an opening to get the elastic through.

Get your elastic and pull it through.

Sew the elastic together, then sew the hem closed.

Here’s how it turned out!


Running to mommy…

The bubble sisters.


Dancing on the porch…


Now running away from mommy…

Bye Bye!
Let me know if you have any questions. And because of all the positive response, I’ll be doing a smocked terry dress tutorial- coming soon!

The winner of the ruffle skirt giveaway is Jessica who said,
“Oh yea!! So cute- thanks for the give away. My little baby is not even one yet…but I’d get it that size so that she could wear it when she’s a bit bigger (and walking!! ). How cute would it be to see a toddling, little, unsteady baby in that skirt!?”

Thank you SO much for all you who entered. I promise I’ll do another one!

Emmy just edited this photo and I had to add it. Isn’t it beautiufl? http://emmybelding.tumblr.com


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Posted in children's clothes | 43 Comments »


43 Responses to “Bubble Dress Tutorial”

  1. By The Un-Organized Mom on Jun 27, 2009 | Reply

    Adorable!!! Thanks so much for sharing this tutorial!

  2. By Lila on Jun 27, 2009 | Reply

    Your blog is such a treasure! Thank you for helping all us other do-it-yourself-ers out there! I will be making this for my girls 4th of July dresses… off to sew!

  3. By luvinthemommyhood on Jun 27, 2009 | Reply

    Yippee! I am going to give this a try next week or so. Can't wait! Thanks for the tute Alexis :)

  4. By dana on Jun 28, 2009 | Reply

    cute! and so simple. Thanks for sharing!

  5. By michellejohnnie on Jun 28, 2009 | Reply

    Absolutely darling! Your talent amazes me. I linked to this at somedaycrafts.blogpsot.com

  6. By Lila on Jun 28, 2009 | Reply

    I just joined your Flickr group and put up the pic of my little one in her new dress!

  7. By casserole on Jun 28, 2009 | Reply

    Oh. My. What an amazingly cute dress!!! I posted a link to your tutorial on Craft Gossip Sewing: http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-little-girls-bubble-dress/2009/06/28/
    –Anne

  8. By Alexis on Jun 28, 2009 | Reply

    Lila- i LOVE it! Thanks so much for posting!

    Casserole and Michelle- Thanks for the bump!

    Shannon- I want to see some of YOUR creations! I'm waiting…. :)

  9. By Katie on Jun 29, 2009 | Reply

    This is so cute, I want to make one for me…..I might just have to- (it wouldn't look quite the same on my little boy!!)

  10. By mksuffolk on Jun 29, 2009 | Reply

    The dress is so cute, the tutorial looks very easy to follow. love the pictures they are very helpful.

  11. By mandi on Jun 29, 2009 | Reply

    wow! this blog is SO great for me! i'm a do it yourself sewer- rarely use patterns. can't wait to make that bubble dress!

    oh- and for some reason i'm really excited about the fact that i'm your 100th follower!

  12. By Ashley on Jun 29, 2009 | Reply

    Adorable. Looks so cute on the kiddos too. I wish it would look flattering on me! I'd totally wear a bubble dress!

  13. By Leah Martineau on Jun 29, 2009 | Reply

    Yeah!!!! Thank you for posting how to made this adorable dress!!! I can't wait to make my little dollie a bubble dress for the 4th of july!!!
    ps the last dress you made with smocking…..PLEASE show us how, I've never know about elastic thread and want to learn more =)

  14. By mariah on Jun 29, 2009 | Reply

    HOORAY!!!! Thanks so much for the great tutorial… I'm just like Madi- I hate patterns, so your blog is the bomb.com….keep it up girly- we're all counting on you now!

  15. By Rachel@oneprettything.com on Jul 1, 2009 | Reply

    This is SO cute! Thanks tons, I'll be linking.

  16. By von Hand zu Hand on Jul 1, 2009 | Reply

    thank you, it's simply fantastic.

    i set a link to your tutorial.
    i hope you'll agree.

    thnaks and many greatings, doro.

  17. By jungledrums on Jul 2, 2009 | Reply

    very cute, my daughter is only 6 months old but will def make one for her next summer

  18. By Amber on Jul 2, 2009 | Reply

    That is so cute!! You did a great job!!

  19. By Alexis on Jul 2, 2009 | Reply

    Wow! Thanks for all the sweet comments! I'm glad you all like it!

  20. By community helpers on Jul 3, 2009 | Reply

    I was wondering if you can add the elastic to a bandanna dress to make it bubble?

  21. By Aromula on Jul 3, 2009 | Reply

    Thanks for this great tutorial. So lovely, the bubble sisters!

  22. By Julie, Little One-of-a-Kind Design on Jul 6, 2009 | Reply

    I voted for you!

  23. By selle on Jul 9, 2009 | Reply

    beautiful! thanks for the tutorial! i made the dress but did the ruffling on my own. i couldn't figure out how to do the ruffle thing with my machine!

  24. By lorchick @ ON{thelaundry}LINE on Jul 22, 2009 | Reply

    I think I will make this nice simple bubble dress for my DD's bubble themed birthday party! How unbelievably perfect?! I'm glad this is so simple, too, I was starting to panic at the to-do list I had given myself, but everything seems to be falling into place!

  25. By meisjesmama on Jul 29, 2009 | Reply

    Thank you very much for this great tutorial! I made one last weekend and my daughter Stella is loving it! It was an easy job! You can see it on my blog: http://meisjesmama.blogspot.com/2009/07/bubble-dress.html

  26. By dailydaph on Aug 5, 2009 | Reply

    Goodness this is the most adorable thing in the universe. I made a couple over the last few weeks.

  27. By Elena Ledesma on Aug 15, 2009 | Reply

    Awww! I love this dress! Thank you!!

  28. By Grace on Sep 7, 2009 | Reply

    lovely! i'm gonna make a couple right now!

  29. By saffiertje on Sep 11, 2009 | Reply

    I finished mine for the winter… but emma could not resist wearing it already!
    thanx for the tutorial… I only put some elastic band in the back, so it would be easier to put on…

    love Miranda

  30. By disa on Sep 24, 2009 | Reply

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  31. By Karissa on Sep 27, 2009 | Reply

    I absolutely love this! I am hoping to be able to get my poo together so I can modify it into a costume for halloween. Thanks so much for posting. If I can get it together, I will email you pictures!!

  32. By Marie on Oct 15, 2009 | Reply

    Thank you for this great tutorial! I made one today, and made a link to your blog. Have a look if you want! http://mammabloggfraaustralia.blogspot.com/2009/10/i-made-this.html

  33. By Whitney on Nov 21, 2009 | Reply

    I just made this dress for my 15 month old. I LOVE IT!! Thank you soo much for this tutorial. I will be making another one for my 3.5 year old tomorrow. So quick and easy!

    PS- I found your blog via http://www.dana-made-it.com You do amazing work!!

  34. By Sugar&Flowers on Dec 16, 2009 | Reply

    Oh my goodness thank you for this!!!! I was loking for a sweet simple pattern for a christmas dress. I omitted the bubble in this dress and used red velvet and added trim at the bottom. I'll add it to the flickr pool when I'm done. Thank you:)

  35. By Eve on Apr 25, 2010 | Reply

    I just used this tutorial to up-cycle an old t-shirt of mine and a stained toddler t-shirt into a dress for my almost-2-year-old. She loves it, although the bubble is not quite as pronounced in knit. Thanks for the tutorial!

    You can view my version on here: http://www.burdastyle.com/projects/i-wear-dark-sunglasses

  36. By Bianca on Jun 1, 2010 | Reply

    I’ve just found this, so pretty! Husbands just had to talk me out of waking our daughter up to measure her haha

  37. By Michelle on Sep 7, 2010 | Reply

    I made this dress for my 2 year old this weekend. Great tutorial as I am a novice and it turned out so perfect! Thank you!

  38. By bailey on Sep 27, 2010 | Reply

    I’m going to use this awesome tutorial and whip myself up a ladybug costume for halloween! Black top and polkadot bottom, i think so!!

  39. By Susan M. on Mar 6, 2011 | Reply

    Your little girls are so beautiful and adorable–these pics made me cry! I nanny for 3 little girls and this pattern is going to be perfect for them. They love to help me sew and I love to teach them what is now becoming a “lost art.” I can’t afford to buy patterns, so THANK YOU for sharing for free. May God richly bless you! <3

  40. By It's About Time Mamaw on May 5, 2011 | Reply

    The bubble dress is really cute and the kids are darling.

    http://itsabouttimemamaw.blogspot.com/

  41. By bel on May 28, 2011 | Reply

    this is a very cute dress and so easy to make thanks so much i made one for my daughter today and she loves it!!

  42. By Athena on Apr 3, 2012 | Reply

    Thank you so much for posting this! I have a son so I don’t have much experience sewing for girls but wanted to make my best friend’s daughter a couple dresses for her birthday. This is perfect! Thanks again!

  43. By orni on Jan 16, 2013 | Reply

    my doughter wanted too kind of fabric skirts…and so i made this skirt so she can choose the one fabric she likes and the other day the other one = )
    thanks for your idea!

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