In today’s post: Learn how to sew an adorable flutter sleeve sundress for a little girl.
I’m pulling this post out of the archives today for those of you who may not have been around when I first published it four years ago! The flutter sleeve sundress was one of the first sewing patterns I published on my blog, and it’s still one of my favorite things that I’ve sewn for my daughter. It’s hard to believe the little peanut in these photos is about to head to second grade (and that my oldest is a senior in high school!).
NOTE: If your daughter happens to wear size 4T, you can download a free pattern for this flutter sleeve sundress here. If not, keep reading to learn how to create the pattern in any size.
Hi all! I have a really fun easy sewing project to share today – it’s a simple sundress with flutter sleeves. I made up a quick pattern using a t-shirt as reference and sewed up this dress in just a few hours. I chose a soft light blue chambray for the dress and added tiny pom pom trim around the hem and sleeves. It’s not pink, it doesn’t look like a princess dress, and my daughter actually likes it – success!
The design of this dress also looks super cute as a top – click through to this post to see an example and get a free pattern in size 4T.
How to make a flutter sleeve sundress
If your little girl doesn’t wear 4T, you can draft your own pattern. Here’s how:
1 – I used a t-shirt that fits my daughter well and freezer paper to trace general shape I wanted from the dress, as you can see in the photo. The only thing I should have done differently is to not cut the arm opening quite so low (I moved the bottom of the armhole up almost 2 inches on the pattern, so if you’re drafting your own you may want to print the pattern for reference). I cut the pattern into two pieces – a bodice piece and a sleeve piece. The bodice piece will get cut on the fold, with the fold being down the center. The sleeve piece will also get cut on the fold, with the fold being over the shoulder.
2 – I retraced the bodice piece, adding an extra 2 inches at the fold.
3 – I retraced the sleeve piece, adding an extra 2 inches at the fold. That gives the dress and sleeves enough extra room to add gathers all around the neckline and shoulders for the “peasant dress” look.
Then I cut two of the bodice (on the fold) and two sleeves (on the fold).
Place bodice pieces RST together and sew down the sides.
Next, finish the bottom edge of the sleeve. You can just hem it, or add trim like I did.
Next I attached the sleeves to the bodice and finished the arm holes with single fold bias tape, as you see below.
I just made some single fold bias tape from the extra fabric for this, although it all gets folded to the inside so you don’t see it – so it doesn’t need to match. Repeat with the other sleeve/arm hole.
Nearly done! We just need to add a casing that goes all the way around the neckline/shoulders to hold some elastic. I used single fold bias tape to create the casing (store bought this time). Attach as shown:
Sew the bias tape to the outside of the neckline, turn and press to the inside, then stitch close to the edge of the tape to create a casing. Use a safety pin to thread elastic through it and gather until the neckline is as small as you’d like (it helps to try it on at this point). Sew the ends of your elastic together and finish the hemline as desired:
I tied a small bow with a little extra bias tape and hand stitched it to the front of the dress. All done! If anyone’s interested, I’ll try to upload a copy of my pattern in size 4t. Let me know in the comments!
***Remember, the pattern in size 4T is now available here: girl’s flutter sleeve dress and top free pattern
You can also see what the pattern looks like as a shirt and find and more photos of how to sew the dress (or shirt) in that post. Thanks!
Love sewing for girls? Visit these posts:
20 free dress patterns for girls
The hello spring dress and top pattern
How to make a reversible pom pom skirt
How to sew a skirt with shorts attached
How to sew a girls midi dress in any size
Julie R. says
This is absolutely adorable! I would love the pattern in a 4T. Thanks for sharing how you made the pattern. You make making patterns look so easy and doable. I’m going to be making one for my adorable niece!
Pam says
What a great tutorial & pattern. I’d really love it if you posted the pattern! Such a cute dress!!! (& girl!)
Sue says
So cute . I need to figure out how to do this for my grandaughter, shes 12 but I think she would love this.
Karin says
So cute. I love ist. I will try to make one myself.
Marta says
What a lovely dress! Thank you so much for the great tutorial. I will have to find time to sew a couple of dresses like this for my daughters. I know they will wear them all the time!
Rebecca says
I love the tiny pom pom trim on the sleeve, sweet touch!
Glenda says
Have a granddaughter 3T, can’t wait to make this for her. And I have a light weight fabric and this could even make up cute as a summer night gown.
Thanks for the posting.
Lara says
That is exactly what I was thinking, my daughter who’s 8 was just complaining yesterday that she needed some more summer nighties.
Callie says
So cute! great looking dress. I would love a 4T pattern as I have a 3.5yr old little girl who loves dresses.
Mareike says
How sweet is that???? As I saw the first picture I thought: I’ve to sew it! Looks so great. I love the pompom trim finish. My big girl is a 4T. Would be great to have a pattern 😉
All the best!
dagbjort sigurdardottir says
ADORABLE!! I would love it if you uploaded your pattern! 🙂
Alexis K says
I’d love the 4T pattern! Thanks for sharing – can’t wait to make a few of these for our girls!! 🙂
Sharlyn says
Darling! Love it
Shirley says
I think Brynn needs this dress!!! Someone should come clean my house so I have time to sew. Have I told you how much I love your blog? 🙂
Etta/Grami says
I would love to receive the 4T pattern of the cute sundress w/flutter sleeves to make for my four granddaughters.
Lynne says
I love this little dress! Thank you so much for sharing it! I’d love a pattern in 4T.
Melissa says
Love it! Thanks so much for sewing along this year!
Mindy says
I’ve never used bias tape or made a casing like that, but it would be worth it to make a cute dress like that! Crisp and clean and adorable. And my daughter may only be turning two next month, but a size 4 pattern wouldn’t be that much too big for her!
Kathy says
I’d love a copy of the pattern! My granddaughter is between a 4 and a 5, but if I add a bit to the seam allowances it should work…?
Mary says
My granddaughters do not live close to me, so I do not have a T-shirt to use as a pattern. Do you have the pattern in a 3,4,5T? This is cute summer dress.
Melanie Melugin says
I would love the pattern too! Need it in a 3T. How much fabric would I need to buy?
Christina says
I just picked up a couple of pillowcases to make night gowns for my little girl! I think they might be cute with this, too. I’d love to use the 4t pattern!
Marsha says
Would love this cute pattern! My granddaughters live far away so there’s no shirt for me to pattern after.
Monica webb says
I would love a copy of this pattern.
Suzanne Raiford says
This is adorable. I would love the pattern too Thanks so much!!
Evelyn says
What an adorable dress! I would love to recieve a copy of the pattern!
Kim Winston2 says
Please please upload the pattern!!
Kathleen says
This is adorable. I have just the fabric for this pattern. 4T is the size that I need as well. Found you on Sew Like My Mom. Thanks !
Caroline says
Yes, please, upload the pattern. This dress is so cute! Thank you.
Gina says
This looks so doable and sweet!! Yes, please a 4T would be perfect for my little lady. She’s got long legs so I like to size her up a bit. Thanks for sharing!
Jennie Kind says
I have a small stack of pillow cases I’m planning on turning into summer night gowns for my 2.5 year old…perfect neck and sleeves for this…thank you 🙂
Linda Lee Steaples says
Oh I love it and I would your pattern in the 4T both my granddaughters or in that size now !!!!!! Thanks for a great tutorial.
Janet Keown says
This dress is so simple and cute. I know my granddaughter would love this. Would love to have the pattern. Thank you for sharing.
Bente Ellebye says
Jeg er en gamle farmor som vil ønske at sy den søde kjole til mit barnebarn
Shirley says
Were you able to upload the pattern? It is super cute!
Donna says
Yes! Would love a copy of the pattern. My four year old granddaughter loves to
wear dresses. This would be perfect & I love the nightgown idea.!!
Leslie Roberts says
What a sweet summer dress!!! I have two granddaughters who would love to have Grandma make them a dress. Do I need to do anything to get the pattern?
RacheL Hancock says
This is super cute and exactly what I have been looking for – cant wait to make it for my 4 year old! Will be making the top too!!
Thank you!
Toni says
I’d like this sz 4 pattern. Love it!
shauna says
I love this dress! I made one for my little girl and it’s soo cute! I’m excited to see the shirt, too!
rogershm says
This is exactly what I have been looking for. Beautiful dress and delighted to see such clear instructions as the pin on pinterest promised! Thank you so much!
Maud says
Just followed your tutorial. Thank you it looks amazing.
autumn says
Thanks for letting me know, Maud – I’d love to see a photo of your dress!
Adriana says
Hi, love love this dress!! i like to try for my little girls, btw your daugther is beautifull!!!
Helena Santos says
Thank you so much for this tutorial. Made an awesome Top.
People just love it!!!
autumn says
Fantastic! I’d love to see a photo of it – autumn at itsalwaysautumn.com
TaMara says
I just made a dress for my 4 year old and it’s so cute I need to make another one! Your tutorial was very easy to follow. Thank you so much! I’m a very beginner sewer and I made it! Thanks again!!
zahra says
Hi.Thank you so much
Keri says
Thank you for the pattern, I love simple dresses! Lately, I’ve been on a lace kick, so I’m attempting to make this dress in Navy peach skin fabric with a navy lace overlay….we’ll see how it turns out!
Kim says
I am officially addicted to making this dress. The pattern is so easy and it’s ADORABLE! I’ve made 5 of them and can’t seem to stop. Ha! I did size it down a smidge since my girl is in 2T/3T.. Here’s one: https://instagram.com/p/zuk8MXJPX2/
Monica says
Se ve tan fácil!!!!….será?
Mary m guidry says
Thankss for sharing. Cute dress
ANA MARIE TAN says
i WOULD REALLY LIKE TO MAKE THIS FOR MY 8 YRS OLD DAUGHTER BUT i AM NOT SURE HOW TO MAKE THE SLEEVE PATTERN, MAY YOU PLEASE DIRECT ME ON HOW TO MAKE A PATTERN FOR THE SLEEVE. THANK YOU THANK YOU SO MUCH.
Melyana lai says
Thank you for the great pattern!
Have made 2 for my 4 years old and they have been on heavy rotation.
J.carter says
Several months ago when the Trevon Martin incident happened, and Obama said, ” If I had a son, he would look like Trevon.” I Emailed this pic of your little girl to my friends, with the caption,”If I had a little girl, she would look like this adorable child.” She is so sweet. I smile at each of her pictures and enjoy seeing her as she grows up in your later posts.
Betty says
Thanks so much for this lovely tutorial and pattern. I have lots of fabric I have collected over the years and have decided to start making dresses and shorts for the Little Dresses for Africa program. I want a simple dress with a little shoulder coverage. This pattern is perfect! I may adapt it to use a tieable drawstring since once the elastic stretches out, the garment is no longer usable there. Thanks again.
Jeannette says
Hi, I am crazy over this flutter by dress and top, I have search your site thoroughly and cannot find a detailed description of the pattern, sizes, amount of material, cutting out, pattern markings etc. I would really appreciate if you could send me a PDF of the thorough pattern. Kind regards Jeannette.
Jeannette says
Hi again, my first grandchild is expected end April, so if you could possibly give me a pattern for a 9 month old and then 1 and 2 years old. Many thanks Jeannette
Susang says
My daughter in law is a beginner and is looking for the actual printable pattern for this dress. The only one we found is a picture of the pattern. Is there one that is true to size?
Thanks.
autumn says
You can download it from this post: https://www.itsalwaysautumn.com/2014/06/23/girls-flutter-sleeve-dress-top-sewing-tutorial-free-pattern-4t.html
The link to download is in the paragraph above the photo of the pattern. Good luck!
Kaye Hood says
You did a great job explain how to make the dress in reference to a shirt. … very creative! I’ve got a couple of granddaughters that would look gorgeous in this beautiful spring dress. Thank you for sharing your talent!
Catherine o'neill says
Can’t wait to make dresses for Operation Christmas child using this pattern. And for my two 3 year old granddaughters!!! The only thing I don’t see here is how much material should I get for the 4T dress or top. Thank you again!
Susie says
Thank you for posting this tutorial and including a free pattern. Supply information would be helpful. You need about 3/4 yard fabric, bias tape, and I assume you used 1/4″ elastic for the neckline
Chris says
Super glad you added this info. I live in Mexico and when I visit the US I make up a list of fabric I need. And I really can’t over-buy due to weight! Thanks!
Mary Ellen says
I’m doing this today for 2 darling little 3 yo. I’m looking forward to creating
some cuteness!
emma says
This is first pattern ive sewn not out of a packet and I’m super excited to try it! Just about to start one for my little girl. Thank you!
Iryna says
Dear Autumn,
I am a complete beginner and this was the first pattern I found online and decided to try.
Your instructions have been so precise that the dress turned out to be beautiful and well-made.
inspired, I decided to make more for my friends with little or big girls ( you see, I have only sons and have this unrequited itch for flutter sleeves and flowery patterns). By the time of this message, I have made 6 dresses and tops for ages 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 40.
Thank you,
Zoila says
Very pretty and easy to do.
I love this site thank you!!
Wendy Paull says
OK. I figured the sleeves out! Wish I could share a pic! Halloween dress for my granddaughter turned out so cute. Thanks for the pattern!
Diana S says
Thanks for the tutorial! I just made my daughter one using organic Cloud 9 blue apple fabric with sunshine yellow Pom Pom trim and it’s adorable! I wish I could link a picture!
Celina says
I just made one on T6. Thank you very much!
Emily says
Hello,
I love the cute little dress you made for your daughter, mine is the exact same size and I’m a beginner with sewing so I’ll give it a try, but I can’t understand what “RST” means like you explained here : Place bodice pieces RST together and sew down the sides.
Can you please let me know that would be adorable ?
Many thanks for your kind help.
Emily
autumn says
RST = right sides together. Good luck!
Dominique says
Hi there! I will Sew this tonight in size 2years, BUT how do You measure the length of the Elastic ???????
Anna Fontana says
Just finished mine in denim. Thank you so much for this pattern x
Maria says
Hi Autumn,
Thanks for this great tutorial. I’ve made this for a little girl (size 4) and it came out super cute!
I was wondering if you have a big girl tutorial for this same dress. I know I can adapt it from one of my t-shirts ,but thought it would be neat to see if you had done this before.
Thanks so much!
Maria