Stitch a nautical dress

1. On a piece of dressmaking paper, cut a rectangle measuring 50cm x 66cm for age 7-8 (40cm x 62cm, age 5-6; 56cm x 70cm, age 9-10). Measure in 10cm for age 7-8 (6cm, age 5-6; 12cm, age 9-10) from both top corners and draw a line down from these points to the bottom corners. Cut a semi-circle template from cardboard measuring 14.5cm across for age 7-8 and 5-6 (17cm, age 9-10), or adjust the size to fit your child’s head measurement. Place in the centre top of the pattern and draw around the semi-circle.

2. Measure 5cm for age 7-8 (4cm, age 5-6; 6cm, age 9- 10) down either side of the fabric from the top corners and draw a line from these points back to the top edges of the semi-circle. Measure down 16cm for age 7-8 (14cm, age 5-6; 18cm, age 9-10) from both top corners of the shoulder and draw a slight curve back up to the corners, cut out. Using the dress pattern, cut out two pieces from blue fabric.

3. Measure 21cm for age 7-8 (19cm, age 5-6; 23cm, age 9-10) up from the bottom of the dress pattern and use this top section as a template to cut out one piece of lightweight interfacing. Iron onto the wrong side of one of the dress pieces. This is your front piece.

4. Using the dress template as a guide, draw the shape of the neck and shoulders onto another piece of dressmaking paper. Measure 5cm from the neckline and draw a line to run parallel with the shape of the neck. Cut out. Use this pattern to cut two pieces of pale blue fabric for the facings. Pin right sides together to the front and back dress pieces and machine around the neck edge. Clip the curve, turn through and press.

5. Visit www.sewmag.co.uk and print the templ