Today I’m sharing the Aurora dress pattern – a gift that I plan to make for a friend’s daughter as a gift for her 8th birthday. I came across the beautiful design when surfing on Pinterest and immediately fell in love with it! I do not have any other images of it, so just try my best to recreate the design with my creativity!
Let’s have a look at the design in different colors and prints:
This pattern is created for kids from 80cm (34”) to 160cm (64”) in height, with approximate age range from 12 months to 14 years. As the sizing is based on kid’s height, measure your kids for an accurate choice of size. You can also check the SIZE GUIDE for more detail (size table is also available in the pattern).
The pattern is made using layered PDF, please check for your desired size before printing so you won’t waste your paper. I have included a first page with many details about sizing and printing, so please first read the first page and make sure you know what size you need! If you still do not know how to print a layered PDF, please check for the printing instruction in this post: PRINTING GUIDE.
My patterns are now made in both A4/Letter paper and A0 paper format so you can print at home or at any print shop!
For home printers, you can print this using your home printer and either A4 or Letter paper. I calculated the printing area so that you will be able to use either type of paper to print the pattern out perfectly. Always print the first page first and check with the test square if you are printing at the right scale before you print out the whole pattern – avoid waste of ink and waste of paper, save the earth!
Some PC may print smaller than actual size even when you choose 100% scale – I don’t know why this problem exist, but my HP laptop cannot print true to size. I have to scale up to 103% to get the right size. You may need to check with your PC to see if it prints true to size, if not, scale up a bit. I was informed by a reader that you can also print the pdf as image to get the right scale, however I never tested it on my computer.
SEWING INSTRUCTION
You will need:
- Fabric of your choice. This pattern is intended for WOVEN fabric.
- Some lining fabric
- (Optional) Horsehair braid for a dramatic ruffle effect.
- Invisible zipper (about 20cm/8” long)
- Scissors, pencil or fabric marker, ruler, pins
- Sewing machine/Serger or needle and thread
- Printed pattern
How much fabric do you need for this piece of garment? To be precise, you may need to check how much fabric you need before buying. It will depend on the selected pattern size, the width, and design of the fabric you plan to use. Just to be sure, print all the paper patterns and lay them out at the width of fabric you plan to use (usually from 90 to 150 centimeters or 35 to 60 inches). Measure how much fabric you will need. Don’t forget to account for pieces that need to be cut multiple times and pieces that are cut on the fold.
Cutting instruction:
After printing out and taping all the pattern pages together, you will get something similar to this:
All my patterns already include 1cm (3/8in) seam allowance. Just cut the pattern pieces as is and use a 1cm seam allowance when you sew.
The fabric will be cut into following pieces:
- Dress: cut 2 mirrored pieces from main fabric + 2 mirrored pieces from lining fabric (trim off 5cm (2”) from the hem of the lining to make it shorter than the main garment and will not show on the outside of the garment)
- Ruffle: cut 2 pieces from main fabric
- Shoulder Strap: cut 2 pieces from main fabric
Place the pattern pieces on the fabric, pin the pattern pieces to the fabric to secure them in place. Using sharp scissors, carefully cut out the fabric pieces along the outer lines of the pattern. Take your time to ensure precise and clean cuts, as this will affect the fit and overall appearance of your garment.
Make sure to mark all notches and other design features such as darts, pleats, draw marks etc. from the pattern pieces onto your fabric. When sewing the garment, pay attention to notches, they must match up.
Sewing instruction
1. Sew the Ruffle
– Cut a line on the Ruffles piece as marked on the pattern piece.
– Place two Ruffle pieces right sides together, match the straight edges and stitch together. Neaten seam and press seam allowance to the sides.
– Use a rolled hem to finish the outer curve of the Ruffle. Video tutorial: https://tianascloset.com/index.php/2023/12/25/how-to-sew-narrow-rolled-hem/
You can also use horsehair braid at the hem to create a more dramatic ruffle detail.
2. Sew the Tie Straps
Video tutorial: https://tianascloset.com/index.php/2023/06/02/how-to-make-spaghetti-straps-drawstrings/
3. Sew the Main Garment and lining
– Place two Dress pieces right sides together. Match the shoulder and side seams and pin to secure.
– Sew the shoulder seam and only one side seam. Sew the side seam on the side that does not have the shoulder, leaving the side with the shoulder to insert invisible zipper.
– Repeat with the dress lining.
4. Baste the Ruffle and Tie Straps to the Main Garment
– Place the Ruffle and Main Garment right sides together. The inside curve of the Ruffle matches the neckline of the Main Garment. One seam of the Ruffle matches the shoulder seam of the Garment, the other one matches the side seam.
– Pin and sew two pieces together. Pivot fabric as you come to the corner.
– Place the Shoulder Straps at the corner of the neckline and baste to hold position.
5. Sew the lining to the Main Garment
– Place the lining and Main Garment right sides together, matching the neckline.
– Stitch the neckline, trim off half of seam allowance and clip the curves. Understitch seam allowance to the lining.
– Turn the lining to the inside of the dress. Mnd match the armhole seam of the Main Garment and the lining. Turn only part of the armhole seam so that the Main Garment and lining are right sides are facing. Stitch the armhole seam from the side towards the shoulder, try to get as close as you can to the shoulder. Backstitch at the end of the line.
– Repeat with the other side of the armhole, you will get a partially sewn armhole, with the narrow part near the shoulder seam not stitched.
– Fold the seam allowance of the lining and Main Garment of the unsewn part to the wrong side, pin and hand sew the remaining armhole seam using a ladder stitch.
6. Attach invisible zipper to the side of the dress
Video tutorial: https://tianascloset.com/index.php/2023/06/12/hhow-to-sew-invisible-zipper-on-garment-with-lining/
7. Finish dress hem
Fold 2cm (5/8”) of the hem to the wrong side of garment and topstitch to finish.
This is the download link:
AURORA DRESS (SIZE 80-110) A0 PAPER
AURORA DRESS (SIZE 120-160) A0 PAPER
AURORA DRESS (SIZE 80-100) A4/US LETTER PAPER
AURORA DRESS (SIZE 110-130) A4/US LETTER PAPER
AURORA DRESS (SIZE 140-160) A4/US LETTER PAPER
AURORA DRESS (SIZE 80-160) PROJECTOR
To download just click on the link above and choose “Save link as”. The PDF file will be downloaded to your device. An advertisement may pop up, just close it and continue with your download. In case some ads attempt to make you enter your personal info, just ignore and close it. I do NOT require any kind of information to download my pattern files.
Happy sewing! And don’t forget to share your project on my Facebook page: Tiana’s Closet Sewing Patterns or tag me on Instagram #tianasclosetsewingpatterns, I will be thrilled to see the garment in real life!
