How to sew a velvet dress with your own hands

Girls in dresses made of beautiful and noble velvet material look like real princesses. In outfits like this you can go to any holiday and become a real star there. One-year-old babies look especially cute in small velvet dresses that resemble adults in style. They wear velvet sundresses and suits for memorable photo shoots and first birthday celebrations.

How to work with velvet correctly

By itself, real velvet is considered a rather expensive material, so it is very difficult to purchase something made from it for a low price. That is why most mothers who know how to handle a needle and thread prefer to sew dresses and sundresses for their daughters on their own.

Those who are also planning to join the ranks of needlewomen and want to try their hand at working with velvet should consider the following tips and recommendations:

1. If the fabric is based on viscose or cotton, which can shrink in the future, the material must be steamed. To do this, hang it on a clothes dryer and steam it without touching the surface.
2. When cutting velvet, you must ensure that all parts of the product are laid out in the same direction of the pile. When cutting, seam allowances are made a little wider due to the fact that the velvet frays a lot.
3. Velvet items should be ironed with a not too hot iron through damp gauze.
4. For sewing, you must use new and very sharp needles.
5. If any dirt has formed on the fabric during work, wash it by hand in lukewarm water.

There are several types of fake velvet, which inexperienced craftswomen often confuse with the real thing. These include:

• thickened duvetine;
• chenille, whose pile is located on both sides;
• cotton plush with long pile;
• multi-species corduroy.

Each of the above materials has its own advantages and disadvantages, just like velvet. The undeniable advantages of the latter include:

• hypoallergenic;
• the ability to hold its shape well without creasing or deforming;
• the fact that it allows air to pass through and is not electrified;
• attractive appearance and comfort of things.

Among the disadvantages is the ability to collect dust and absorb unpleasant odors. In addition, velvet quickly fades in the sun and takes a long time to dry after contact with water.

Models of children's dresses made of velvet

There are a large number of models of children's velvet dresses, from which it is easy to choose something suitable for both holidays and everyday wear. First of all, you need to focus on the age of the child:

Girls under 5 years of age you can choose a dress with a full skirt and openwork lace inserts. For walks and kindergarten, sundresses with a straight cut and knee length are suitable.

Fashionistas aged 6–7 years, the abundance of ruffles and lace on the dress may not be to your taste. For them, you can choose something in a classic style, made of thick velvet in discreet colors. In such a dress you can go to a matinee at school or to the theater or cinema.

For girls 9–10 years old It is best to choose models that will never go out of fashion - straight-cut dresses with a white collar and the same cuffs. They will also like “trapeze” and fitted models with a full skirt. You can decorate the outfit with a string of pearl beads or a voluminous brooch.

When thinking through an image with a velvet dress, it is necessary to take into account that the shoes selected for it should not be made of nubuck. It is best to opt for smooth, but not patent leather.

How to sew a velvet dress for a girl with your own hands

It’s better to start getting acquainted with velvet with a trapeze dress. This model has no darts, which makes the sewing process much easier and faster. For pomp, you can add a tulle petticoat or leave the dress in its original state.

We take measurements and make a pattern

To create a pattern, you need to know the volume of the child’s chest and the desired length of the product. Cutting is carried out based on the pattern diagram below, taking into account that:

• It is better to cut out the back part with a central seam, which will allow you to cover the neck fastener;
• allowances of 1.5-2 cm should be added to the pattern;
• in order to avoid damage to the fabric, the patterns need to be checked several times;
• before cutting, the material must be thoroughly ironed on the reverse side;
• paired cut details need to be turned in a mirror image;
• the details are swept away with oblique stitches;
• If the product is unlined, the side seams need to be finished with a zigzag stitch or with an overlocker.

Sew a velvet dress step by step

Having prepared the pattern and cut out the parts, you can begin the sewing process. Let's describe it step by step:

1. Connect and press the shoulder seams, pressing the allowances back.
2. The center back seam is sewn up to the mark. The allowances are ironed.
3. If the product is unlined, the sections of the shoulder and central seams are processed with an overlocker.
4. Parts of the neck are processed.
5. The side seams are basted and the allowances are pressed, processing the cuts using an overlocker.
6. The bottom hem is sewn with a hand-blind stitch.
7. A hand-made loop is sewn to the back, along with a button selected to match the material.

How to complement a velvet dress for a girl

The following can be used as decorations for a velvet trapeze dress:

• lace;
• braid;
• leather or denim inserts;
• satin stitch embroidered appliqués;
• a scattering of pearl beads or rhinestones.

In addition, a hair tie or soft headband sewn from leftover fabric will help complete the look. They can be decorated in the same way as a dress - with beads or lace.