Back-To-School Pencil Dress: A Tutorial
As the first day of kindergarten approaches, the excitement and nervousness of this new adventure can feel overwhelming for both parents and children. Every parent dreams of their child stepping into the classroom with confidence, ready to embrace new experiences and friendships. What better way to send your little one off than in a lovingly handmade pencil dress, stitched with care and a sprinkle of magic? Crafting this dress is not just about creating a piece of clothing—it’s about weaving your hopes, dreams, and endless love into every stitch. Whether you’re an experienced seamstress or new to sewing, this project offers a heartfelt way to celebrate this milestone. Join me as we embark on this sentimental journey to create a beautiful and comfortable pencil dress that your kindergartener will cherish, feeling your love wrapped around them as they take their first steps into the world of learning.
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
For this tutorial you will need:
- The Mila’s Tulip Sleeve Top & Dress Pattern
- Yellow fabric*
- Pink fabric*
- Grey/silver fabric*
- Black scraps
- Nude scraps
- A zipper
Step 2: Cut your fabric
First, start by cutting out the fabric as the pattern suggests. Use the yellow fabric for the main fabric, grey fabric for the “Accent Strip”, and the pink for the “Hem Band”. I shortened the accent strip by about 1” to make in thinner. For the pencil bow, cut a 3” x 7.5” (width of bow) rectangle out of each of the black, nude, and pink fabric, and a 1.75” x 7.5” rectangle out of the grey/silver fabric. When cutting your bow pieces from the yellow fabric, subtract 4” from one bow piece and label it “bow piece A”. Then subtract 3.75” from the other and label it “bow piece B”. This will account for our colour blocking in order to make the pencil.
Step 3: Assembling the bow
To the end of “bow piece A”, sew or serge the nude rectangle. Onto that, sew the black rectangle. To the end of “bow piece B”, sew the grey/silver rectangle. Onto that, sew the pink rectangle. Press, and top stitch if desired.
Next, with right-sides together, match the long edges of your bow pieces and sew/serge. You will now have a tub. Flatten your tube so that the seam that was just sewn is placed in the middle, then sew a diagonal line from the middle of the end of “bow piece A” to the first seam on each side. This will form the pointy end of the pencil. Trim the excess fabric. Finally, sew/serge the short pink end of bow piece B, and turn each bow piece right side out. Press and top stitch if desired.
Step 4: Sew the dress
If you have sewn Mila before, this step should be no sweat! Simply sew the rest of the pattern the way the pattern suggests! If you’ve never sewn Mila before, you’re in for a treat. This pattern is very well written for beginners, and is very simple and forgiving. If you’re a new sewist, the best advice I can give to you is don’t over-think it! Don’t forget to try it on after. Also, if you’d like to make the bow detachable, check out this blog post!
Step 5: Add some finishing touches
You’re done! Right? Sure, but if you’re like me, maybe you want to be a little *extra*. Try playing with some trim, embroidery, or other fun finishes to add a bit of pizzazz to your creation. Here, I did a simple iron-on vinyl design that says “No.2 HB”, to make the “pencil dress” concept a little more obvious. Here are a few links to some ideas on adding different finishing touches:
Add a simple hand embroidery design!
Add an appliqué using your projector!
Add a hand embroidered appliqué!
Creating a pencil dress for your new kindergartener is a delightful and rewarding project. By following this tutorial, you’ve not only crafted a beautiful, custom-fit garment, but also created a cherished memory. Remember, the key to successful sewing lies in patience, practice, and attention to detail. As your child proudly wears their new dress, you’ll see firsthand the joy and confidence that handmade clothing can bring. Keep honing your skills and exploring new projects, and soon you’ll be tackling even more complex and creative sewing adventures. Thanks fo reading, and happy sewing!
