Day 13/31: making tiny costumes every day — sewing process, by Mama Roar Sews on YouTube. 1 min 18 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 18 s
- Time to do it
- 45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Choose a classic dress pattern sized for your plush mouse or doll, then cut the bodice and skirt pieces from your cotton scraps.
Lengthen the bottom of the skirt pattern piece by about 1 inch so the finished dress has room to close underneath the toy.
Sew the bodice to the skirt following the pattern, using a 1/4 inch seam allowance and backstitching at both ends.
Sew the side and shoulder seams, then clip the curves so the tiny seams sit flat once the dress is turned.
Stitch the bottom closed almost all the way instead of leaving it open, and stop to leave a small opening of about 1 inch for turning.
Turn the dress right side out through the opening, push out the corners with a chopstick, and press it flat with the iron.
Cut 1 to 1.5 inch pieces of ribbon and pin them across the skirt in 3 or more rows, spacing the rows evenly.
Machine stitch along the top edge of each ribbon row to hold it down, then hand sew the turning opening closed with a slip stitch.
Tips and common mistakes
Wash and press your fabric scraps before cutting, because small pieces can shrink after the first wash.
Use pinking shears or a zigzag stitch on raw edges since tiny seam allowances fray quickly.
Press the dress after turning it right side out, as crisp edges make small costumes look neatly finished.
Check the ribbon width against the skirt first, because wide ribbon can swallow a tiny plush dress.
Questions
Can I sew this tiny dress by hand?
Yes. Use a backstitch for the seams and a slip stitch to close the turning opening. A machine is faster but not required.
How much ribbon do I need?
Plan for 3 or more rows across the skirt. Measure the skirt width at each row and add about 1 inch at each end for turning under.
What if I do not have a dress pattern in the right size?
Trace a simple bodice and skirt shape from a dress that already fits your plush or doll, then add a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
