An Updated Peasant Dress

Because I was updatingThe Pillowcase Dress a couple weeks ago, I thought it also time to do a bit of an update to the Peasant Dress too.  And since Liz and I have both had maxi dresses on the brain….it was a logical choice 😉

Sorry no tutorial for this one…..mostly because I was using a self-drafted pattern that I made specifically for Hannie.  But if you have a peasant dress pattern you love (this one, or this one are good, or here is a tutorial that is good too) I can tell you what I did.

For the fabric I used a cotton-silk blend (with maybe some rayon in it? It wasn’t expensive enough to be full cotton and silk) print from Joann’s.  I love the fabric, especially as a maxi dress…but be forewarned it is a bit see-through.  She has a slip and a cami on for this picture (and definitely needed it!)

Here is what I did if you want to make one too…..

If you are making a maxi dress out of a cotton print….you are going to need a kick pleat in the back.  Otherwise a little girl will not be able to run or walk well for that matter.  (And that is a necessity.)

Measure the length you want your dress.  Add 1 inch for a hem at the bottom.  Cut out the front in one piece, BUT for the back you are going to need 2 separate piece.  Instead of cutting the back on the fold cut two pieces and leave 1 inch for the back seam.

Sew up the back seam leaving 10 inches at the bottom.  Then I finished the kick pleat the exact same way I finished the back of this dress (sans the button closure of course).

The only other adjustment is some elastic thread around the middle to cinch in a bubble waist.  And that’s it!

Hopefully that makes sense.  If not…email me and I will help as much as I can.

~Elizabeth

P.S.  I linked this up here and here.