Dress for Winter III - A Very Simple Jumper

Welcome back to the third instalment of the winter dress
series! Today's post is about how to make this very,
very simple jumper. I made my pattern by tracing
around one of the girls' existing jumpers, my favorite
I Am Lazy method of pattern-making. If you are
sewing for similar-aged children, feel free to use
my knockoff patterns below:

Of course only the upper portion could actually fit on
the paper, so here are the instructions on how to get

the lower portion. This way you can make the A-line as
flared or as narrow as you want by following the
existing slant at point A (or C) or changing it.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PATTERN AND INSTRUCTIONS

So, here's how it works:

• Use the pattern you printed out to cut the front and back facings.
• Use the pattern you extrapolated to cut the front and back jumper pieces.
• Embellish.
• Sew up the side seams.
• Join facing to jumper pieces.
• Sew buttonholes and buttons (or use giant press-studs).
• Wear.

But for those who want a little more detail, here's the tutorial:

Step 1
As said, cut out the front and back facings and the front and back jumper pieces. Add your own seam allowances!

Step 2
Embellish

before sewing any seams.


Incidentally, here's how the ruffles are made:

1 Cut strips (ungathered length = 2x gathered length) of fabric and finish the long edges with a rolled hem on the serger.

2 Sew a long running stitch along the middle of the strip:

3 Pull on one (either top or bottom) thread from both ends to gather to desired length.

4 Pin in place on dress and stitch down with matching thread.
5 Remove ugly white thread with seam ripper. Or, if you had used matching thread to sew the long running stitches, you can skip this.


Step 3

• Line up bottom edges of armscyes of jumper pieces, right sides facing, and sew the side seams.
• Serge/finish the seam allowance.

Step 4

• Repeat step 3 for the facing pieces.

• Serge/finish the bottom hem.

Step 5

• Turn completed facing from step 4 right side out.
• Insert into jumper - right sides of facing touching right sides of jumper.
• Line up the edges and pin in place.

Step 6

• Sew to attach facing to jumper.
• Trim and snip/notch the seam allowance all around.

Step 7
Turn right side out and press the seams flat.

Step 8
Top stitch (if you want) close to the edge to secure the facing.



Step 9
By hand, use a few small stitches to attach the seam allowances of the facing to the jumper. This is to hold the facing down so it doesn't flip up and gag your child when undressing.

Step 10

Sew buttonholes

and buttons

Step 11
Finish the bottom hem and you're done!

Golly- that left pocket is a bit wonky, isn't it?
I'd say you could finish an unembellished jumper like
this in under an hour. But go on, give embellishing a
shot - it's what makes the sewing fun. But just line
your pockets up better than I did!

One more winter dress to come, if all goes well!