Ruffle Neck Peasant Dress Pattern and Tutorial

Our first variation on our basic peasant dress pattern is the ruffle neck peasant dress! This is the first of 3 summer variations we have planned for you. Need the pattern or direction on how to grade it to your size. See our peasant dress introduction.

Due to popular demand we’ve digitized this pattern in sizes 12/18 month, 2T/3T, and 4T you can find it HERE. 

Ok let’s start!

The Peasant Dress Pattern

Start with your two pieces, the body and the sleeve.

IMPORTANT: Because the casing is different on this dress you will remove 1″ from the top of the front to back. Doing this will compensate for the lack of casing on top of the dress and make your armhole fit closer.

Cut 2 of the main body on the fold, one front and one back.

Now take your sleeve piece, we are going to use this to cut your neck ruffle. If you are using the pattern this piece is now provided. Use piece marked optional ruffle. 

Place the pattern short end on the fold. Don’t follow the armhole curve. Instead cut straight across (where the ruler is placed).

Now you will have a long rectangle twice the length of the long sleeve pattern piece. Good? 

You’ve got your pieces cut we’re ready to start sewing.

Sewing Your Ruffle Neck Peasant Dress

1. Sew your side seams together.

Finish the edge with your preferred method.

2. Finish your armholes.

You have two choices.

You can finish the armhole with bias tape. Either by making your own bias tape or using store bought single fold bias tape.

***IF YOU CHOOSE THIS METHOD MAKE CERTAIN YOU HAVE REMOVED THE INCH OF HEIGHT FROM THE TOP OF THE FRONT AND BACK OF THE ORIGINAL PATTERN.

Option 2- add elastic to your armhole

I cut a piece of 3/8″ elastic 2″ shorter than the length of my armhole. Then I sewed it in a U from the top front to the top back of armhole.

It isn’t tight on her arm, and these are meant to be easy play dresses so I left it at that. You can of course create a casing for your elastic if you prefer, or use fold over elastic.

Set aside the body of your dress.

3. Hem the bottom of the ruffle.

Turn the bottom of the ruffle over 1/4″ and then a 1/4″ again. Now you’ve enclosed the raw edge. This seam maybe visible on the finished garment so I strongly recommend the double turn over sergering and turning once.

4. Create the casing.

Your elastic is going to run through this ruffle piece. Turn the top edge over a 1/4″ and then turn again a 1/2″. You now have a casing with a clean finished edge.

 5. Sew your ruffle together.

You should now have a circle. Important: don’t sew your casing closed. When you seam your short raw edges together make sure your pieces are open like the edge shown above.

If it is easier for you to press your casing in after you sew your seam together swap step 4 and 5.

6. Attach the Ruffle.

Put the seam you just sewed to the center back. The raw edge at the top of your dress should sit up against the top of the casing.

Pull down the casing. The top edge of your dress is now enclosed.

Sew the bottom edge of your casing all the way around. Leave open a spot to thread your elastic.

7. Add your elastic.

I cut a piece of elastic half the length of the ruffle (in other words the length of one long sleeve). 16-17″ works well for sizes 12-18 months. Use 1/4″ elastic. (If you prefer 3/8 or 1/2″ will also work)

Thread your elastic through. Try on, and adjust elastic to desired fit.

Sew elastic together, and finish stitching closed your top casing.

8. Hem

Turn over 1/2″ and then another 1/2″. Hem. Now you have a fully enclosed hem.

9. Put it on and go to the park!