Flutter Sleeve Dress Tutorial and Free Pattern

Isla had her mind made up that she wanted a cute teddy bear with pretty rainbow pyjamas for Christmas and nothing else would do, this was six days before Christmas! I quickly got onto ebay and purchased said fabric and tracked down the cutest teddy I could find that would get here in time. Isla loves the Jellycat little rabbits she's had since she was a baby so when I found the Jellycat teddy bear I thought it would be a hit. I spent ages scouring the internet trying to find a free pattern for some cute pyjamas for the teddy, but didn't find exactly what I was looking for so I ended up making my own pattern and it turned out to be really simple and quick to make and luckily Isla was super excited on Christmas day to receive exactly what she asked Santa for. I promised a free pattern and tutorial for the teddy pyjamas, the pattern can be downloaded by clicking here and below is the step by step tutorial. This is the first time I've done a sewing tutorial so if I've missed anything or something needs clarification please feel free to leave a comment.

Happy sewing!

Flutter Sleeve Dress Tutorial

Step 1: Download pattern and cut out two dress pattern pieces and two sleeve pieces on the fold where indicated

Step 2: Start with the sleeve pieces. The longest side of each piece needs to be hemmed as this will be the outside flutter part of the sleeve on the dress. Fold, iron and pin along the edge, making the hem as small as you can. Cut off any excess fabric along the raw edge (see below pic).

Step 3: Sew sleeve hem. Sew as close to the folded inner edge as you can. 

Step 4: Pin one sleeve piece to one dress piece along the curve (right sides together). Repeat along the opposite sleeve and dress curve.

Step 5: Repeat with the other dress piece. It should look like the below pic once all pinned. Make sure to remember to pin right sides together. Sew the sleeve pieces to the dress pieces along the pinned curves.

Step 6: Press the shoulder seams. Then zigzag stitch the seams closed or alternatively you can use an overlocker or pinking sheers to stop the fabric fraying. 

Step 7: With the dress right sides together, pin and sew the side seams closed. Press seams and finish with a zigzag stitch, overlocker or pinking sheers. 

Step 8: Keep the dress wrong side out and hem the bottom by folding it up by 10mm then another 10mm, iron, pin and then sew the bottom hem as close to the inner edge as possible. 

Step 9: Fold the top of the dress in the same way that you just folded and hemmed the bottom. 

Step 10: When sewing leave a 1 centimetre gap unsewn. This is a channel for threading the elastic through so make sure the hem is a little wider than your elastic. 

Step 11: Using a safety pin attached to one end of your elastic, thread it through the opening in the channel you just sewed. 

Step 12: Pull the elastic tight enough to gather the neck line but not so tight that you can't get it over the teddy's head. Cut the elastic once it's as taut as you want and sew the two ends together. 

Step 13: Sew shut the opening you left to thread the elastic through. 

Step 14: Finally add a cute bow embellishment to the front of the dress. 

The result... a very happy little girl :)