This week I had planned on making a cute Wonder Woman inspired skirt for Peyton using blue star fabric for the bottom and red for the waist with some yellow trim accents.  But I felt like it would end up too similar to THIS skirt tutorial I posted recently.   I went through Peyton’s dresses and found a dress that inspired me.  It is a cute, easy to wear dress that doesn’t have any zippers or buttons.  I used it for inspiration and created the Willow Dress.

The dress fits a little loose at the top and has straps with elastic in them.  The ties at the waist tighten the top and take in any excess material on the back side.

I figured out the simplest way to make it including finishing all the seams on the inside using french seams instead of serging.  You can find the pattern I created and used for Peyton’s dress HERE!

I made the first dress with a Wonder Woman theme, then made a second upcycling a pearl snap shirt for the skirt portion.  I think they both turned out adorable!  Two completely different styles, but made using the same pattern!  Imagine all the other ways this dress can be made by combining different prints and fabrics.

Check out the video HERE to learn how to make the Willow Dress!

You can find a PDF pattern of the exact pattern piece and measurements I used that HERE!  The pattern fits a 2T/3T.

Or you can create your own pattern using your child’s measurements and a a dress/top you already own.  Keep in mind that the top needs to be about a size larger in order to fit.  Also include a 1/2 inch seam allowance all the way around.

For Peyton’s size I cut the straps at 1 3/4 x 12 inches and the ties at 1 1/4 x 20 inches, but you may need to adjust depending on the size you are creating.

I hope you enjoyed this how to!  If you have any questions feel free to leave them in the comments and I will do my best to answer them!  Until next time, Happy Sewing!

-Whitney-