An Aline dress is one of the simplest of all frocks for a little girl – for her to wear and for you to sew. The frock flares nicely towards the hem in a smooth A-silhouette, while being fitted at the upper bodice, allowing all the freedom of movement that a little girl wants.
How to sew the Aline frock for small kids
Step 1 Cut out the pattern pieces
Front bodice pattern
To make this simple frock pattern, Chest round is the most important measurement you have to take on the body of the child. Measure the chest 1 inch below the armpit. All the other measurements are as per the table given below. (The age given in the table is just an indication – your child’s measure maybe below or above this – which is totally alright.) The length of the frock can be taken just above the knee.
Back bodice pattern is cut by the center fold (along K -B) to make two pieces, so that there is an opening in the center back for the aline frock.
Step 2 Join shoulder seams of front and back patterns
Step 3 Bind the armholes with bias stripes and join the side seams
Check out the post on fold and cut single vs double bias tape and how to sew bias binding tape
Step 4 Finish the back opening
You need to make the hook and eye placket here
You can alternatively sew buttons and buttonholes instead of hooks and eye on this placket.
Making the placket part is really simple. Simply cut 2 pieces of fabric strips 2 inches wide and length equalling the back opening length
Join each strip to either sides of the back opening right sides together. Now turn One side strip to the inside and stitch in place after turning under the edge.
The other side strip should be folded to the outside – this will be projecting out so that you can attach the eyes for the hooks or form a stand for the buttons. Check out the posts on sewing buttonholes and sewing hooks and eye
Step 5 Bind the neckline and sew the hem
I added a small binding at the hem for a contrasting and interesting effect, instead of just turning the hem inside and stitching.
Step 6 Sew the buttons or the hooks to the back of the opening
If you decide on buttons they are to be added to the projecting stand. Hooks will be stitched to the back of the opening .
A-line frock design variations.
There are many ways that you can change the design of the basic Aline frock.
The easiest is to add a band of fabric by the center front fold line. You can add lace as well this way .
The second idea is to make a yoke in a different fabric. To cut this pattern, make the basic Aline frock pattern on paper and then cut it the way you want the yoke to be. Add seam allowances and then cut the fabric according to this new pattern.
Lace can be added to the aline frock in so many different ways
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