Little Ruffle Tunic....or Dress

How many of you have come across this amazing pre ruffled fabric? Yep, that's what I said, pre ruffled. See all those rows of beautiful ruffles? One piece of fabric. Love it!
When I first came across this fabric I couldn't have been more smitten. I am a mom to two girls, and if you have girls I know you'll want some too (fabulous for mama wear as well). Wouldn't this make a cute clutch?

I was over the moon excited when Ruffle Fabric offered to send a couple of yards my way to try out. They have the biggest selection of ruffle fabric I've seen anywhere, with so many colors. Beautiful, beautiful colors!

So, let's fast forward past winter for a minute, maybe even past spring, and pretend warm days are upon us.
If you're already experiencing warm days, well, lucky you. :) Send some my way please! 

I think this tunic is perfect to be a bit dressy at a friend's birthday, or just to be extra girly with a pair of jeans. This would be super cute lengthened as a dress, no? For the record my girls are fighting over this. The 5 yr old loves it because it is pink and frilly (this little one loves all things girly) and the 6 yr old loves it because she says it looks like a rock star shirt (this little one thinks she isn't so little and is anti anything she thinks is too girly).

 She's a grump by nature

 This tunic is super simple to make. Less than an hour, really. One of the things that is so great about this fabric is that it doesn't need to be hemmed. Just like knits, it doesn't fray!

To get her to smile I had to ask her if tonight I grew a gigantic green fuzzy wart on my nose, if it would be ok if I helped out in her class tomorrow. She said yes. Now that's love.

The bodice is made with knits. Easy and comfortable to wear, and easy to sew (no buttons or zippers).
This tunic (or dress) is also custom made to your child's measurements, so will fit like a dream.

Want to make one? You won't regret it! :)
Ruffle Fabric has so many beautiful options, your hardest part will be choosing a fabric (Someone please make one with the Blue Belle....in love with that one).

Here we go...
This tunic is constructed in much the same way as the Bubblegum Jumper, just without the opening at the back and in knits. If you have been scared to try that tutorial, try this one first, it is easier. :)

Measurements

1. Measure around your child's chest. Call this measurement A
2. Measure from where you would like the bodice to sit on the front, over the shoulder to the same spot on the back. It is really easy to make your straps too long, so measure conservatively! Call this measurement B
3. Measure mid chest down to where you would like the tunic or dress to fall. Call this measurement C 

Use 1/4 inch seam allowance unless otherwise noted.

Pieces

Bodice Pieces (cut 4)
Take measurement A, add 1 inch for ease. Divide by 2 and then add 0.5 inches for seam allowance.

My measurement A was 23 inches.
(23 + 1)/2 = 12
12 + 0.5 = 12.5
I am going to cut 4 pieces 12.5 inches long by 2.5 inches
(this will make a bodice piece that is 2 inches wide- If you would prefer a wider bodice adjust accordingly)

Strap Pieces (cut 2)
Take measurement B and add 0.5 inches for seam allowance

My measurement B was 10 inches.
10 + 0.5 inches = 10.5 inches
I am going to cut 2 pieces 10.5 inches by 3 inches
(this will make straps that are 1.25 inches wide. If you would prefer a wider strap adjust accordingly) 

Body (Ruffle) Piece (cut 1)
Take Measurement A multiply by 1.5 and add 0.5 inches for seam allowance (call this measurement D).

(23 x 1.5) + 0.5 = 35 inches would be my measurement D

Now, cut a piece of your ruffle fabric measurement D by measurement (C + 1/4 inch seam allow)
My measurement C was 15 inches.
So I will be cutting a piece 35 inches by 15.25 inches

Now, on to the sewing...

Take a strap piece. Fold it in half lengthwise right sides together. Sew down the long edge. Do this with both straps.

Turn right side out and press with the seam going down the middle. Topstitch both edges. In hindsight I should not have used black for the tutorial, but this is simple enough hopefully you can follow along! :)

When I say to press with the seam going down the middle, this is what the back will look like. Set aside.

Grab two of your bodice pieces and right sides together sew down the short edges creating a tube. Do this with the other two bodice pieces as well.

Take one of your "tubes" and right side out pin your straps raw edges meeting and seam side up to the top of the bodice. Fold under to the back of the bodice and pin to the same spot on the back.

For this step it is a good idea to try the bodice piece on your child and pin the straps to their best position. I usually just pin 2 inches to either side of the middle of the bodice and don't have fit issues.

Now, put this bodice piece inside your other bodice "tube". match raw edges and sew all the way around the bodice on the side your straps are pinned. Leave the other side open.

Turn right side out, press and topstitch around the top of your bodice piece.

I forgot a photo of this, but fold your ruffle piece in half widthwise and sew down the short edge to create a tube.

Along the top sew a row of gathering stitches (this fabric is very thin on the parts that don't have ruffles and one row is enough). Gather to fit your bodice piece.

With your bodice piece right side out and your ruffle piece right side in, attach your gathered ruffle piece to your bodice matching raw edges. You can zig zag your seam allowance to finish the seam or leave it as is. These fabrics won't fray!

I lined the seam in the ruffle fabric up to one of the side seams but you could put it mid back. You might notice we only have one side seam. I was ok with that as the ruffles hide the seam pretty well. If you aren't ok with that you could just sew down the other side to create another seam before attaching the ruffle fabric.

Turn right side out and you have a finished tunic! You can topstitch the bodice if you choose (I chose not to).

 I've seen lots of skirts made out of this fabric, but it works really well for cute frilly tops too!
Looking at this photo it occurred to me that this fabric would also be super cute on a baby as a little romper. Now I wish I had a baby to make a romper for! :)

Now, I also have a yard of this. What to make....
I'm thinking St. Patrick's Day..... stay tuned!