The Stuff I Live For

Reversible Girls Pinafore Dress Tutorial February 26, 2008

This is a 3 part tutorial. You will need to click on the link on the bottom of the page to get to Part 2.

Side 1 Front                    Side 1 Back

Side 2 Front                       Side 2 Back 

I've noticed lots of hits to my blog from people googling 'reversible pinafore tutorial' and such. I'm sure they were disappointed when all they found was the pics I posted of the dress I made here. I made another dress a couple of days ago and put together a semi-tutorial to go along with it. I say semi because you will still need to make your own pattern. This tutorial should help though because, for me, figuring out how to put it together was the hardest part. I hope someone can use this cause putting together this tut is a lot of work!

First, you will need to make your pattern. I can tell you that this pinafore fits Shay who is 2 1/2 and thin, as a dress. It fits Ayla who is just about 4 and also thin best with pants underneath because the back would be a bit too short. You will probably need to play with it a little like I did. You can see all the extra pieces of muslin I kept pinning on to make it bigger and get the right size. To give you an idea of the dimensions I used for the front piece: diagnol from top left corner of shoulder to bottom right corner of dress is 25"; shoulder strap 3 1/8" wide; distance between shoulder straps 5 1/2"; distance between bottom corners of dress is  22 1/4"

Pattern front. You will want to draw a line down the center of this piece, fold it, and make sure it is completely symmetrical. Trim where necessary, or pin on extra muslin to make larger if necessary.

Pattern side. You only need one of this piece. Make sure it fits perfectly from both shoulders and simply reverse it when cutting the fabric you're using for the dress.

Completed pattern showing how the side pattern piece will fit both ways if your front piece is completely symmetrical.

 Click here for the rest!