Pinafore dress

YOU WILL NEED

■ Main fabric: 2mx140cm*

■ Buttons: 6-8 (optional)

■ Chunky zip: 60cm**

■ Existing sleeveless top/vest (optional)

■ Existing skirt (optional)

■ Matching thread

■ Basic sewing kit

NOTES

■ Seam allowance is 1cm.

■ Overlock, zigzag or bind raw edges.

■ *This guide will make a mini dress in UK sizes 6-18. Fabric quantity will increase if you wish to make a larger size or a longer length.

■ **Zip length will depend on your desired pinafore length

FABRICS USED

■ Mouflon Coating from Minerva.com

MEASUREMENTS NEEDED

■ Bust ÷ 4

■ Waist ÷ 4

■ Hip ÷ 4

■ Shoulder to bust

■ Shoulder to waist

■ Waist to hip

■ Waist to hem

DRAFTING THE TOP

Step one Fold your main fabric in half across the width with right sides (RS) facing. Step two Mark 1.5cm seam allowance from the selvedge. This will be the centre front of the top part of the pinafore. Step three Mark 1cm seam allowance from the top raw edge. This will be the shoulder seam. Step four Measure and mark your shoulder to waist measurement on the fabric, using the shoulder line that you marked in step three as your starting point. Step five From the centre front line (marked in step two) measure and mark your Bust measurement ÷ 4. This is the side seam. 01

Step six Using an erasable fabric marker or tailor's chalk, mark the neckline and armhole curves. Alternatively, use an existing sleeveless top/vest folded in half, to help shape the neckline and armhole. 02

Step seven Finally, add 1cm seam allowance to the neckline, armhole, side seam and waist seam lines.

DRAFTING THE SKIRT

Step one Continuing down from the top part of the garment, continue the centre front marking down, 1.5cm from the selvedge. This will be the centre front of the skirt piece.

Step two Mark a 1cm seam allowance down from the seam allowance of the top part of the pinafore (so there will be a 2cm total seam allowance which meet here - see step photo). Step three Measure and mark your waist to hip measurement from the line marked in the previous step.

Step four Measure and mark your desired waist to hem measurement, starting at the marked skirt waist line.

Step five Mark the side seam edge. Alternatively, use an existing skirt folded in half to help shape the skirt side seam. Add side seam allowance and hem allowance. 03

CUTTING THE BACK PANELS

Step one Cut out your drafted Front panels (the top and skirt parts), cutting on the marked seam allowance lines. Separate the top from the skirt at the waist.

Step two Use the front top panels to cut the b