Birthday Party Pinafore for My Belle

 What in the world is a pinafore? you ask.

It is an apron with a shaped bodice, open back, and a button or tie in back worn over a dress. Many women and little girls in olden times would wear a pinafore to keep clean, since constant washing could damage a dress. Now a days, it is worn with or without a blouse or dress, and makes for a beautiful summer top for little girls.

I decided to see just how hard a pinafore would be to make. My Belle turned one in April, and I wanted a unique party dress for her. I rummaged through my collection of materials and vintage table cloths, and found a beautiful lace table cloth and white cotton to line it with. I stopped by Britex Frabrics in San Francisco and found the most beautiful ribbon to trim it with.

Measurements

Before I got started I measured My Belle's chest (just under the arms), length just under arm to ankle, shoulder (chest at under arm to bottom of shoulder blade) and distance between shoulder blades. I added 1 inch for seam allowance. For the ribbon, use the chest measurement plus 2" for a clasp clouser or 6" for a bow clouser, and the straps are the shoulder measurement plus 2".

For the bloomers I used the techniques I learned from Whitney Sews on how to make your own underwear. Here is the link for the video: http://youtu.be/7T5iIcc-gZ4 (by the way she is an awesome resource and has all kinds of fablous ideas, so check her out there is a link to her blog under blogs I follow.)

Things You Will Need to make Pinafore and Bloomers:

• 2yrds of fabric (cotton will be the easiest to work with, but I used a heavy lace and cotton. When cutting the fabric, add 1-2 inches to the bottom of the dress,otherwise it will look like a tube with  that has only been attached at the top. It will look like a trapazoid)

• 1.5-2yrds of 1" wide of coordinating ribbon be sure to cut  the ribbon according to your measurements. (I got 1yrd, but wished I had gotten more. The shortage of ribbon caused me to clasp closed the back, where as a little more would have made for a bow tie back and possibly a matching head band.) 
• 1/4" wide elastic  (The length of the elastic is determined by bloomers you base your pattern on.)
• 1/2" wide elastic
• Sewing machineThread
• Sewing maching
• Sewing needle
• Tape measure
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Iron and Ironing board
• pins

 Making the Pinafore

1.Iron seam allowance for top and bottom. Using a staight stich sew seam allowance 5/8". Then,using a zigzag, sew over the raw edge. This will give it a cleaner look, and help prevent fraying.

2. Repeat Step 1, for the sides.

3. Fold fabric in half to find the middle of the top, mark with a pin. Fold chest ribbon in half and mark middle. Line up the middle of the fabric and ribbon with right side of farbic to wrong side of ribbon and pin together.

Here is an up close shot of the ribbon.

4. Using the distance btwn the shoulder blades, devide by 2. Using that number measure from the middle of fabric/ribbon to place the shoulder straps for the front. Again, using the same number measure from the edges to place straps for the back. Pin straps under the chest ribbon, so that it is completely under the chest ribbon.

5. Sew straps in place with a backstich on top and bottom.

6. Sew chest ribbon in place with a straight stich as close to the edge as possible. (using a zipper foot will allow you to see the edge better.)

7. Finally, if you are using a closure back, you will need to hand sew it in place. If you are using a ribbon closure, you will need to sew the ribbon across the fabric edge with a  backstich, and fold the ends of the ribbon and sew in place to give them a finished look.

All done. I hope you have fun making the adorable dress/top for your girls.

Being Creative
SnP