Bella Dress sewing pattern (6/9mths to 8yrs)
This is the Bella Dress pdf sewing pattern from the designer Paper Doll Pattern Co.
This is actually a classic boho dress. It has a tie front detail, a gathered skirt, and a button-back closure.
With the Bella Dress, you can have short puff sleeves with elasticated cuffs. Or the Bella can be sleeveless with a self-lined bodice and bagged-out neck and armholes. The dress is approximately knee length, however, the designer does have an option for the dress to finish below the knee.
The designer rates her project as suitable for an advanced beginner sewist. She says that the neckline and armholes are bagged out which can seem tricky if you have never done this sort of thing before. But you shouldn’t worry as she has included an easier alternative sewing method for all views also!
The instructions are given for overlocked/serged seams. However, this is quite a good style to sew if you do not have an overlocker. The entire bodice and sleeve are bagged out (clean finished) and you can French seam the under sleeve seam and side seams.
For this project, the designer recommends that you use woven fabrics like light to medium weight linen, cotton lawn, cotton, or rayon poplin. The required trims are approximately 1/2 a meter (0.6 yards) of 6 mm (1/4″) wide elastic for the short puff sleeves with elasticated cuffs. You’ll also need a small amount of interfacing for the back button placket and three to four 16L/10mm buttons.
The pattern comes in TEN sizes from 6-9 months to 8 years as follows:
- 6-9 months,
- 9-12 months,
- 1 year,
- 2 years,
- 3 years,
- 4 years,
- 5 years,
- 6 years,
- 7 years,
- 8 years.
The designer has some specific notes on sizing for this pattern. She says that as a general rule, choose the size that corresponds with the age of the child. The patterns are designed to fit an above-average-sized child (around the 75th percentile) for the year that matches their age. For example, if the child is an above-average-sized 18-month-old, a size 1 year will still have some room to grow. In most cases, there is no need to size up unless the child is at the very top end of the growth charts. If the child is small, do consider sizing down, or expect that the fit will be generous.
There are four pdf files included in this download and you can print at home on A4 or US letter paper. An A0/copy shop large format file is also included.
If you would like to download the pattern you can click on the blue button below.
