Dresses are All the Raglan Rage! (A Tutorial for our Raglan Pattern!)

Hey all! Jeanine here again and this time with a super simple modification to girly up the all the rage raglan pattern! This pattern is a classic, with many options for length of the bottom hem and the sleeves, hood or neckband, and even has dolly sized patterns included for your 15" or 18" dolls :) 

For this tutorial we will just be working with the two main pieces for your front and back and the two ruffle pieces (which I will be telling you about). Everything else will be sewn as per the pattern. 

To start cut all your pattern pieces out. Now you will take your front/back piece and cut a ruffle strip that is twice the width of the front/back piece (as seen below). How long you choose to make your ruffle is up to you if you want it to be tunic length or dress length.

Now set your machine to the longest stitch length and do NOT back stitch, make sure you get a good tail end to start your sewing off as well.

and stitch along the top of each ruffle strip. I serged the edges first since I am sewing with a waffle knit and it is a little unstable and I was concerned about fraying.

Next you will gather each ruffle piece to the the width of the front/back pieces.

Then pin each ruffle to the bottom edge of the front and back pieces and stitch using your knit fabric stitch (shown below) or serger (or zigzag if you do not have either of those).

after the ruffle is sewn on flip the ruffle down and then I like to top stitch. 

Now your ruffle is attached on both the front and back pieces and you just continue to sew the pattern as directed! Nice an easy but oh so cute!

The waffle knit is a bit heavy and stretchy by the way, so, if you use it be warned that your fit will be a bit looser than if you use a more T-shirt like fabric.

and one last picture to show the hood option! I LOVE hoods in the fall (and I prefer putting a hood in to dealing with neck binding. shhhhhh... that can be our little secret)

And that is how I changed up the All the Rage Raglan! How about you? Have you made the pattern? Tried modifying it? Love bow fabric? Tell me all about it! And please join us on facebook in our Lab group! 

Line the Angie and square the neck!

Hi All! Jeanine here again :) Today I am soooo excited to share a tutorial with you for squaring the Angie neckline up and lining the bodice! If you do a lot of children's sewing you probably know how to do the bodice already as this method is not uncommon, but I've included it anyway !

To start go and grab that front bodice pattern piece and trace it out on a sheet of newspaper roll or parchment paper or even freezer paper. 

Once you have that traced grabe a ruler and draw a line down and then over  to meet the edge of the pattern (as seen below) I did the regular neckline for my Angie, however I found that squaring the neck opened it up a little so I recommend going a cutting line above your usual comfort level.

Cut outer pieces and lining pieces of your bodice front and back. I recommend using a very thing lining if you are using regular weight woven cotton for the outer. 

Now you will follow the pattern directions for sewing the darts - just remember do them on both the outer and lining pieces.

Once your darts are sewn place your bodice front lining and outer and place right sides together and pin. Do this with your back bodice lining and outer pieces as well.

 (my toddler wanted to help with the picture - see how still she holds the fabric :) 

Now sew around the front bodice neckline and then sew around the back bodice neckline. 

Now grab your pinking shears (ideally) if you don't have pinking shears use your fabric scissors, and carefully trim around the necklines

Carefully snip into the corners of the front bodice neckline being very careful to not cut the stitching (below).

Now on both your front bodice and back bodice pin the bottom of the armhole to about the midway point as shown below. You will sew all four armholes from the bottom up to that midway pin.

Carefully trim around the armholes leaving about an inch un-trimmed before the end of the stitching.

Now is everyone's favourite part -IRONING! Dun dun dunnnnnn......

Iron both the necklines flat 

and now iron the armholes, carefully folding under the edge that you did not sew in line with your stitching. Make sure your outer and lining are ironed to the same so you catch both and none peek out over the other when you sew.

not put your bodices right sides together and pin the shoulders up - the outer to outer and lining to lining (I took several pictures of  this to hopefully have this step clear to you)

It will look a bit twisted on both sides, this is normal :)

Now sew those shoulder seams straight across!

Put your bodice to "normal viewing mode"  See how tidy everything looks - yay! 

Now do NOT worry about those open parts of the armhole! We will get to them!

For nowput your bodice right sides together and again pin the outers together and then the linings together

See below, the outer fabrics are down and you pull the lining fabrics up to pin - make sure the middle seams match perfectly!

Sew a straigh line right up both sides and then turn to the normal viewing mode again.

NOW we will get to that open armhole gap! Pin about the armhole, don't feel bad if you need to use many pins. I carefully make sure the fabric is where it needs to be - work the curve and don't be afraid to give it a little stretch if it needs it.

Sew around the entire armhole - like top stitching but it will close the hole!

And now you move on to the pattern and follow as directed for the skirt and attaching it to the bodice! 

Side view, gosh I LOVE a dress with pockets!

PS. Because the lining adds a little thickness You may need to cut the elastic a little shorter or want to do a casing . If you do the casing option remember to give yourself extra seam allowance when attaching the skirt to the bodice..

and just for laughs  - a little blooper collage. 

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial! If you have any questions on this tutorial or our patterns or just want some more sewing chatter feel free to join in on our fun in the Facebook Lab group!

Last Call!

This post contains an affiliate link, The Scientific Seamstress earns a percentage of the sale when you buy through our affiliate link. Thanks you SO very much for supporting the SewFab sale!



Ok, For the VERY early risers - or maybe this is a just before bed post on the other side of the world ?

one final buy the SewFab bundle NOW! post. Seriously - I am scheduling this post to publish 3hrs before the sale ends. 3hrs! This sale will be done and gone for good come 8AM EST. and I LOVE the bundle!

Here is a quick collage of the looks you have seen me sew this week for SewFab week:

Which sew up was your favourite of the week? Which pattern are you going to sew first? 

and for one final time here are the details and the buy it now button :) 

Reversible Zippy Hoodie from Kitschy Coo, Ananda Pants from CHOPSTIX, The Sally Dress from Very Shannon, Best Harem Pants from Too Sweets , Notebook Slipcover from Gingercake, Junebug Dress from Craftiness Is Not Optional, Fancy Pants Leggings from Titchy Threads, Skinny Jeans from peek-a-boo, Pajama Eaters from Sew Fearless, Ruffle Dress from Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Go To Cape for Women, Sadie Grace Nightgown from Seamingly Smitten, Vintage V-Neck from Blank Slate Patterns, Zermatt Bow Swing Coat from See Kate Sew, Tumble Tee from imaginegnats, Nituna Jacket from Figgy's, Greenpoint Cardigan from Hey June, Gathers and Giggles Quilt from Sew Much Ado, Billy Car Play Mat and Roll Up from Handmade Therapy, Bimaa Sweater from LouBee Clothing, Candy Carousel Dress from Molly Blossom, Convertible Clutch from LBG Studio , Infinity Sweater from One Girl Circus, Undies Pattern from From the Red Kitchen, Owl Backpack from The Sewing Loft, Ethan Shirt from the Scientific Seamstress

(affiliate link - it will take you to buy the bundle)


I hope you enjoyed all the sew-spiration  sewing !  (on second thought that sounds more like perspiration instead of inspiration...)

and thank you so very much for supporting the SewFab sale and us !

EEP! only 24 hours to go! (depending on when you read/see this)

This post contains affiliate links. when you purchase the SewFab bundle through these links I earn a percentage of that sale. thank you so much for supporting the SewFab sale! 

Last 24 hours of the sale folks!!!!! It ends TOMORROW at 8AM EST! So if you happen to not be an early riser then today is your last day to buy!

For the final sewfab sewing day of blogging I have TWO patterns made and paired together! The Titchy threads Fancy Pants Leggings and the LouBee Bimaa sweater!

I know I already showed you pictures of the hoodie option bimaa a couple days ago. For this Bimaa I choose the shawl option, and it is SOOOOO cozy!!!! I used the rest of that fleece blanket I had to upcycle to make a 4T sweater! I love how conservative this pattern is on fabric! 

(pretending to be a sleeping puppy)

Now before I continue since this is the final 24hrs to get the SewFab bundle I figured I would interrupt this post so you could get the details :)

Reversible Zippy Hoodie from Kitschy Coo, Ananda Pants from CHOPSTIX, The Sally Dress from Very Shannon, Best Harem Pants from Too Sweets , Notebook Slipcover from Gingercake, Junebug Dress from Craftiness Is Not Optional, Fancy Pants Leggings from Titchy Threads, Skinny Jeans from peek-a-boo, Pajama Eaters from Sew Fearless, Ruffle Dress from Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Go To Cape for Women, Sadie Grace Nightgown from Seamingly Smitten, Vintage V-Neck from Blank Slate Patterns, Zermatt Bow Swing Coat from See Kate Sew, Tumble Tee from imaginegnats, Nituna Jacket from Figgy's, Greenpoint Cardigan from Hey June, Gathers and Giggles Quilt from Sew Much Ado, Billy Car Play Mat and Roll Up from Handmade Therapy, Bimaa Sweater from LouBee Clothing, Candy Carousel Dress from Molly Blossom, Convertible Clutch from LBG Studio , Infinity Sweater from One Girl Circus, Undies Pattern from From the Red Kitchen, Owl Backpack from The Sewing Loft, Ethan Shirt from the Scientific Seamstress This Sew Fab e-Pattern Bundle is only available for one week and will never be available again!  You can purchase the bundle from September 30th at 8 a.m. EST through October 8th at 8 a.m. EST and there will be no late sales offered.  Due to the nature of the sale there are no refunds.

click the button below to buy the bundle: 

I love the shawl version so much!!!! The neck back I folded down and it is still nice and high to keep the chill off the back of the neck!

The leggings were also a super fast sew and they are a perfect fit! I added just a little extra length to the 4T because my girl tends to grow up more so than out :) 

Can you believe I did this whole outfit in one naptime!? I had cut the leggings the night before and they sewed up so fast and the baby was still sleeping so I thought I'd see how far I got on the Bimaa, I really do love making a cozy entire look in 1 naptime! 

I just love the fit of both pieces!

Bimaa is toddler approved and mama approved! Plus both these patterns are quite gender neutral :) 

(a close up of the front of the shawl so you can really see how cozy it is). 

There you have it! That my friends is my week of SewFab sewing showing off complete!

 Also don't forget to follow us on Facebook and in our Lab Group to keep up to date and chat with us! We love our fans and love connecting with you all !

(affiliate link to buy the patterns)


A HUGE thank-you to all of you reading along and for supporting us by purchasing the SewFab bundle this week!

Keep your eyes on the blog and on facebook - we have some VERY exciting things coming up!