The Twirly Dress Free PDF Pattern 12m-14Y

***UPDATED! now through size 14** Have a great photo of a larger size? Post in pattern group and I’ll add to this post!!

It’s been awhile since I offered a free pattern, and I’ve been promising this one for awhile. The wait is over! Today is the day the twirly dress free pdf pattern can be yours… that’s right.. for free! {my favorite!} I was originally working on this pattern as a paid pattern, but then I just decided it would be free. The sizes are 12M – 14, and I hope that this size range can work for you. Raglan sleeves, a hood, and fun gathered skirt give this dress a sporty casual look that’s easy to wear. Make sure to check out all my Free sewing patterns here.

Dree free PDF pattern

You can grab this pattern from MY SHOP. {you will download 2 files with different size labels, one the larger sizes and one the smaller} This pattern is designed to fit girls with waist/chest measurements of 18″ – 27″… with the loose fit though you can probably make it fit a bit bigger or smaller. I’ve designed this off an Old Navy dress that was similar, so the sizing is similar to a 12M-14Y from that store. Have questions about sewing this up? Want to show off your creations? Join my sewing FB group HERE.

I’ve called it the twirly dress because of the high-low hemline and the flow of the skirt…. AND… because I can’t seen to be more creative with my pattern names {ha!}

The hood feature is perfect for Rose because she can’t really wear hats due to her hearing aids…. Hood though work and are great for when it starts to sprinkle if we are out…

The gathered back of the dress continues around to the front of the dress, giving a bit of detail to the front. You could easily shorted the sleeves to make short sleeves, or add cuffs.

Here’s what it looks like with this dress on a much older Rose… {same girl years later!!} And Also a fun Short Sleeve Version.. You can find the tutorial for the short sleeve option here.

Okay, if you haven’t downloaded the pattern… GRAB IT HERE. Trim and tape the pattern sheets together. Here is what the basic layout should look like:

LARGER SIZES

SMALLER SIZES

You will need approx. 1 yard of 60″ wide knit fabric for this dress. I made mine from a thin t-shirt like knit with 2 way stretch. I think it would work okay with most lighter knits. You want the direction of greatest stretch to go from side to side of the dress, not up and down. Cut the pattern pieces-

2 hoods, 2 sleeves, 1 top back piece, 1 front piece, 1 back bottom piece, 1 neck ribbing. I would also recommend using clear elastic in a few places as directed.  A 3/8 {1cm} seam allowance has been included in the pattern. 

Take the back top and bottom pieces. Lay out flat… gather the bottom until it is 4 inches wider than the top. Need help gathering? Check out these tips… Optional {but recommended!} cut a piece of clear elastic the same width as the top. Lay out as shown with clear elastic in the middle.

With a zig-zag stitch stretch the clear elastic on the back bottom and sew from side to side. Now the top and bottom are the same width. Here’s my tutorial for sewing clear elastic with your serger.

With right sides together, sew the top and bottom together.

Place the 2 hood pieces right sides together. Sew the curved edge. Finish the flat edge with a serger/overlock machine or zig-zag stitch.

Turn 1/2″ hem under and sew. I used a double needle with woolly nylon to stitch. Tips for hemming HERE.

On the front piece cut a piece of clear elastic the length of the SHORTER top part of the side slit.

Sew and stretch the clear elastic on the LONGER bottom edge. Now they are the same length. Here’s a great tutorial for sewing with clear elastic

From the back side of the front, with right sides together, fold and sew the front dart on the dress. Here’s what it looks like from the back and front.

Place the front edge of the sleeve on the front angled edge of the FRONT. The front of the sleeves is lower that than the back if you aren’t sure which is which.

It should open up like this ow.

Attach the back of the dress to the sleeves in the same way.

Looking at the wrong side of the dress it’s shaping up like a garment now! The side seams are still open. We are going to finish the neck first.

Sew the short ends of the neck ribbing. Fold in half so the long edges are lined up. Stretch and pin around the neckline. I like to put the seam in the back, or lined with with a back shoulder seam.

Match the center of the hood with the center of the dress back. The hood goes on TOP of the neck ribbing. Pin the center then around to both sides. The hood should reach about to the front arm seams. You should have three layers. Dress, neck ribbing, then hood.

Sew all these layers together. Flip the neck binding and hood up.

Top stitch around neck.

sew from the end of the sleeve to the bottom of skirt. Repeat on the other side.

Turn 1/2″ under and hem the sleeves.

You can finish the bottom of skirt with zig-zag or serger before turning up the 1/2-3/4″ hem. Ease in the curved hemline.

And there you go! A fun and twirly dress that can be worn with leggings and layers for winter and like this for fall.

A few outtakes {haha!} If you want to head back to the first page for more of the “nice” photos!