Free Girl’s Ruffle Sleeve Dress Pattern

Free Girl's Dress Pattern

As promised, I’m sharing a free pattern for the second of my two girl’s Christmas dresses today (you can find the first, Hattie’s dress, here and how I styled and photographed all of my kids’ Christmas outfits together here). Read on to get our Free Girl’s Ruffle Sleeve Dress Pattern!

Free Girl's Dress Pattern Free Girl's Dress Pattern

As with Hattie’s blush pink dress, I found the fabric for Lola’s dress in the formal fabric section at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores. I wanted a really neutral color to keep it simple while allowing the design to stand out, and I was so excited to find the perfect overlay fabric as well. I found the adorable blue velvet booties from Old Navy.

Free Girl's Dress Pattern Free Girl's Dress Pattern

The fabrics gave just the airy, flowy look I had imagined.

Free Girl's Dress Pattern Free Girl's Dress Pattern

I didn’t want the lace to overpower the dress, so I opted for a solid yoke with a lace overlay on the bodice. I love the look of the gathered overlay!

Free Girl's Dress PatternFree Girl's Dress Pattern

You know I have a weakness for fabric covered buttons, so I finished off the dress with one in the same fabric (but it’s always fun to make a contrast button if it works with your design!).

Free Girl's Dress Pattern

For many years I almost never made dresses with button back closures, and always chose zippers, but lately they’ve been my favorite! I love that a back keyhole can be such a sweet design element.

Free Girl's Dress Pattern

This free girl’s ruffle sleeve dress pattern is drafted for a 22″ chest measurement and 39-42″ height, which is a size 4 for Sew Much Ado patterns. Lola measures a size 4 chest and 5 length, so I simply added an inch to the pattern for her to give it the length she needs!

Free Girl's Dress PatternFree Girl's Dress Pattern

For more cute free dress patterns for girls, check out this post! Ready to get sewing?

Supplies:
free girl’s ruffle dress pattern which is available HERE (Size 4 – body measurements: chest – 22″, height – 39-42″ / finished measurements: chest – 24″, length from center back – 24″)
– drapy apparel fabric – crepe, voile, etc – If cutting bodice (lace underlay) from main fabric rather than lining: 1 5/8yd (45″ wide) OR 1 1/8yd (57-60″ wide) / If cutting bodice (lace underlay) from lining: 5/8yd (45-60″ wide)
– optional lace/chiffon overlay – 1yd (45-60″ wide)
– lining fabric (45″ wide) – If cutting bodice (lace underlay) from main fabric rather than lining: 1/3yd / If cutting bodice (lace underlay) from lining: 1 1/3yd
– fusible woven lightweight interfacing – 1/8yd
– 3/4-1″ button
– basic sewing supplies – thread, needles (I like to use these needles in size 10 for lightweight fabrics), scissors (these are my absolute fav) (<–affiliate links)

*All seam allowances are 1/2″ unless otherwise noted.*

Getting Started:
Download pattern using link above (you will complete the checkout process through our shop but won’t be asked for any payment info). Print pattern at 100%, checking test square for accuracy. Use tape to assemble pattern pieces, matching borders and diamonds.

Cut fabric, lining, and interfacing as directed on pattern pieces. If using lace that needs to be hemmed, add desired hem allowance to hem for overlay only. Follow manufacturer’s instructions to fuse interfacing to wrong side of bodice back fabric, centering as pictured. Cut along curved lines on interfacing pattern piece and trace outer edge to transfer markings onto interfacing. Flip bodice back over and repeat the upper portion of the markings on the right side as pictured, being sure they match up with the marks on the wrong side (it’s helpful to hold the fabric up to a window or light and trace them that way).

Free Girl's Dress Pattern Free Girl's Dress PatternFree Girl's Dress Pattern

Let’s Get Sewing!
Press button loop piece in half, wrong side inward, and matching long edges. Open fold and press each long edge to center fold. Fold back in half and stitch close to folded edges.

Free Girl's Dress Pattern

Fold loop in half and place at vertical portion of marking right side of fabric, on left of center back, with raw edges extending 1/2″ past stitch line and toward center back. Stitch loop to bodice back along marked stitch line.  Trim loop ends to 1/4″.

Free Girl's Dress Pattern

Right sides together, pin and stitch front and back bodices together at shoulders. Press seams open (the raw edges will be enclosed so there’s no need to finish them). Repeat with lining pieces.

Free Girl's Dress Pattern

Right sides together, pin bodice to lining at neckline and center back markings. Stitch together around neckline, following stitch lines as marked at back keyhole. Note: Be sure that loop ends are tucked away from opposite stitch line. Clip seam allowance around neckline. Carefully clip down center of back keyhole.

Free Girl's Dress PatternFree Girl's Dress Pattern

Turn bodice right side out and understitch seam allowance to lining (stitch 1/16-1/8″ from original stitch line), stopping when nearing center back.

Free Girl's Dress Pattern

Turn bodice right side out and press flat along neckline and back keyhole.

Free Girl's Dress Pattern

Wrong side of bodice overlay to right side of bodice underlay,  pin top of bodice front and back overlay pieces to top of underlay pieces, matching raw edges. Sew two rows of basting/gathering stitches along pinned edge, 3/8″ and 5/8″ from top raw edge of bodice.

Free Girl's Dress Pattern

Pulling top threads only, gather front and back bodice basted edges to fit bottom of front and back yokes. Right sides together, pin gathered edges to bottom of front and back yokes. Tip: I prefer to pin each end of the ruffle to the bodice edges before gathering.

Free Girl's Dress Pattern

Stitch along pinned edges on front and back, attaching front and back bodice to front and back yokes. If needed, trim seam allowance on back to 1/4-3/8″ to ensure seam allowance will not be visible at keyhole when pressed upward. Press seam allowances upward and use zig zag stitch or serger to finish seam allowances. Use seam ripper to remove basting threads that are visible on right sides of ruffles.

Free Girl's Dress Pattern Free Girl's Dress Pattern

Right sides together, stitch underlay front and back pieces together along side seams. Press seams and finish raw edges. Overlay seams will be stitched with a french seam: wrong sides together, stitch underlay side seams together using a 1/4″ seam allowance. Trim 1/8″ from raw edges and press flat along seam on each side, right sides together. Stitch side seams again, 1/4″ from pressed edges/seams. Press each side seam toward back of dress.

Free Girl's Dress Pattern

Press bottom long edge of each sleeve ruffle 1/4″ to wrong side. Press another 1/4″ to wrong side (this will be stitched after attached to the sleeve in a later step).

Free Girl's Dress Pattern

On each sleeve ruffle, sew two rows of basting/gathering stitches, 3/8″ and 5/8″ from top raw edge of sleeve ruffle (do not backstitch and leave threads long at beginning and end). Pulling top threads only, gather to fit bottom of sleeve and pin to bottom of sleeve, right sides together.

Free Girl's Dress Pattern

Stitch each ruffle to each sleeve (you’ll be sewing between the two basting lines). Press seam allowance upward and use zig zag stitch or serger to finish seam allowance. Use seam ripper to remove basting threads that are visible on right side of ruffle.

Free Girl's Dress Pattern Free Girl's Dress Pattern

Use a basting/gathering stitch (do not backstitch) to stitch between notches on each sleeve (these will be used to ease the sleeve into the bodice).

Free Girl's Dress Pattern

Fold each sleeve in half, pinning side raw edges. Stitch along pinned edges, with pressed bottom edge of ruffle unfolded. Press seam and finish raw edge.

Free Girl's Dress Pattern

Fold each sleeve hem back as originally pressed and stitch close to folded edge.

Baste lining to main fabric at each armhole, a scant 1/2″ from raw edges.

Free Girl's Dress Pattern

Right sides together, pin sleeve into armhole (my fabric was a bit finicky so I needed a lot of pins, hehe), matching sleeve notches with seams (double notch matches back yoke/bodice seam) and side seams. Pull on sleeve threads gently to ease into armhole. Stitch sleeve to armhole, ensuring there are no puckers. Press seam allowances toward sleeve and use zig zag stitch or serger to finish raw edges.

Free Girl's Dress Pattern Free Girl's Dress Pattern

Repeat steps above to stitch remaining sleeve to remaining armhole.

 

Free Girl's Dress Pattern

To create underlay hem, press lining bottom raw edge 1/4″ toward wrong side. Press another 1/4″ toward wrong side. Stitch close to folded edge to secure in place. If overlay needs to be hemmed (the lace I used did not), hem according to the hem allowance you allowed when cutting.

Stitch button in place on back of dress, ensuring proper fit with loop.

Free Girl's Dress Pattern

Awesome work! Be sure to share your finished dress and tag us  on Instagram with @sewmuchado #sewmuchado!

Free Girl's Dress Pattern

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22 Comments

  1. I would love to make this for a flower girl dress. For. 6 year old. How can I adjust the pattern or purchase it ina larger size. I’m a beginner/ intermediate grandmother that’s back at the sewing machine thanks

    1. Hi Beth! For this pattern you would need basic grading knowledge to adjust the size to a 6. I haven’t graded it myself into other sizes yet, but I might in the near future!

  2. Hi Abby…..I found you today after reading my e-mail from the Stitching Scientist, and I am thrilled to be here. We have 7 great granddaughters, ranging in age from just under 2 to 10 years old and I love sewing for them. Since I don’t have the ability to grade the sizes, I can only use your dress patterns for the 3 year, and eventually, the younger one, but they are adorable, just like your little girls. They are so pretty and I love their long hair. I am signing up for your newsletter and look forward to receiving them. Thank you so much for the free patterns you offer.

    1. Hi Sylvia! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment, and how awesome that you have 7 great granddaughters! You are so sweet, and you’re welcome!

  3. Dear Abby, First of all, thank you for your generosity in sharing this pattern. I downloaed it a while ago and now have the ideal project . fabric. But as I come to print off the pattern, I realise it doesn’t look at all like your picture of how to put the pages together. Have I got an old version?

    1. Hi! There has only been one version, but we do have two free dress patterns with ruffle sleeves, so I wonder if you are looking at the incorrect one? If you check out free patterns page you can see both :).

  4. OK, I’ve now found the two patterns, and the one I have is obviously the other one! Sorry. I didn’t reaslise there were two with similar names. I’ve had the pattern for a while but I searched on Google to remind myself of what it looks like, and the tutorial, and Google obviously led me to the wrong one. I’ve made it up now, but the recipient hasn’t tried it on yet, so I won’t write it up on my blog till I have some photos of it! Thank you again for the pattern. I’ll let you know when I’ve put it on the blog.

    1. Thank you for sharing, they are adorable! And I have to tell you, my older sister’s name is “Ada Jane” – it made me smile when I read your post!

  5. This was the perfect pattern for my friend’s daughters. The instructions were so easy to follow. Thank you for sharing!

  6. Hi! I have a 2.5yo who is currently in a size 3T and would love to have my mom make this for her!! Is there an easy way to scale down the size accurately or would it be possible to purchase the already altered smaller size pattern from you?

    1. Hi Alysa! I would be so happy to just send you the altered pattern but unfortunately I didn’t keep it! If you have basic grading knowledge you could adjust the size down on your own. I’d maybe sew a quick muslin to see if it perhaps already fits her as it’s a pretty forgiving style!

  7. Hi, I’m trying to figure out which fabric goes where-the apparel is for the sleeves and upper dress I would assume, obviously there is the lining also, but where does the shimmery polka dot fabric (bodice overlay) come in?
    In the list of supplies there was only apparel fabric and lining….
    Thanks!

    1. Oh thanks for noticing that, no one has asked about that before surprisingly haha! I used the overlay on the gathered front and back of the dress only, and simply treated it and the main bodice fabric (or lining if you’re using that underneath the overlay instead) as one fabric when sewing. Does that help to answer your question?

    2. p.s. I also added in the requirement for 1yd of overlay fabric to the supplies section, thanks for the heads up!

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