Cartagena Kids Dress — Lulú Ferris

Project preview

This video is for members

Join Lulu Ferris to watch the complete class and sew along at your own pace.

What you’ll make

Sew the Cartagena Kids Dress, a sleeveless woven dress with a yoke, gathered skirt, and practical pockets set into the side seams.

The back yoke closes with buttons or snaps. Narrow fabric binding neatly finishes the neckline and armholes.

For more children’s dresses, see the Lisbon Dress and Siena Dress.

What you’ll learn in this class

Stabilize the neckline and armholes.
Finish curved edges with narrow fabric binding.
Gather the front and back skirts to fit the yoke.
Construct pockets within the skirt side seams.
Prepare the back opening for buttons or snaps.
Join the gathered skirt neatly to the yoke.
Finish the hem and secure seam allowances.

Fabric guidance

Choose a woven fabric. The examples use floral cotton poplin and embroidered cotton, both suited to a light summer dress.

The class discusses adapting the needle and stitch length for finer or heavier woven fabrics. Raw edges can be finished with an overlocker or a comparable machine stitch.

Make it your own

Close the back yoke with buttonholes and buttons or with snaps. The class explains both options.

Use one fabric throughout or contrast the yoke and gathered skirt. You can also finish the hem with a decorative stitch and contrasting thread.

When sewing for a specific child, check the dress length before hemming and adjust it as needed.

Pattern sizing

The pattern runs from 9/12 months through 10/11 years. The corresponding height chart spans 74–140 cm.

Across the full range, the chart lists a chest of 49–74 cm, waist of 48–65 cm, and hips of 51–76 cm.

The video class is paired with downloadable A4 and A0 patterns and a separate pattern information sheet.

Pattern & materials

Patterns are included with membership

Active members can download every available PDF and materials list.

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