The Florence Dress and Petti

This post is part of a month long series called 'Pattern Makeover Month.' I took a simple a-line, peasant dress and 'made-it-over' into many different styles. For more information, go here.

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The inspiration for this outfit comes from DreamSpunKids, an Etsy shop (although I can no longer find the listing that had this cute outfit!).

And, oh!

How I love this petti!!!

To make this pattern variation, using your Sweet Dress pattern, cut the top out of your printed fabric. It needs to be cut short. It is best to measure your little one to find the perfect length. For my five year old, I cut several inches shorter than the 12 month size on the length. But I used the 5T lines for the rest of the pattern. You will also want to remember that you are adding a ruffle to the bottom, which adds an additional 2-3 inches (depending on size). For a 5T, I cut two 3.5 inch x 40 inch strips for the ruffle. Sew the dress as directed in the pattern, except do not hem. Instead, add your ruffle.








To make the ruffle, first sew your strips together into a circle. Make a rolled hem on one edge. Gather the other edge and attach to your dress.




For the petti, you can use the Simple Skirt pattern by Leila and Ben. I made mine in white muslin. My favorite muslin is Robert Kaufmann (Kona) Premium Muslin found a Jo-Anns.

Then add ruffles. You will want about 2/3 of your skirt covered with ruffles. I used three strips, each 2.5" wide and 45" long for the 5T size. For a smaller size, find your 2/3 length and divide by three. This will be your width. (If you are doing a rolled hem edge on both sides of your ruffle, you will need to add a seam allowance to your width.) The ruffle length of 45" will be the same for all the sizes (12M to 5T).





Sew your strips into a circle. Finish both edges of your strips. I finished mine with a rolled hem edge on my serger. You can also just serge the edges or use your sewing machine to make a rolled hem. Gather down the middle of the strips. Starting with the bottom ruffle, sew to the skirt just above the hem, sewing on top of the gathering stitch. Continue up the skirt, keeping the ruffles close, but not overlapping.

Did I mention that I LOVE this petti?





Don't forget! You can win a Sweet Dress pattern from Leila and Ben
by leaving a comment on this post.