Ella with Ties

Looking for a delightful sundress? We used the Ella pattern to create this tie-on-shoulder dress. We show you how to make unsmocked or smocked!

Shop the Look

Without Smocking Pattern: Ella Fabric: Sunrise Mamie F by Riley Blake x Liberty Fabrics Ties: Seaside 1/16" Gingham *Available at childrenscornerstore.com while supplies last.

With Smocking Pattern: Ella

Fabric: White Pima Broadcloth

Smocking Plate: Sweet Surrender by Cross Eyed Cricket

DMC Floss: Match Your Floss: 3838, 3733, 3851

Ties: Seaside 1/16" Gingham *Available at childrenscornerstore.com while supplies last.

Supplies

Children’s Corner Ella Tissue Paper Bias Tape Maker Fabric – see chart below for requirements *for contrasting ties – 1/2 yard

Unsmocked Instructions

1. Retrace the dress back by lowering the top cutting line by 2 ½”. This new pattern piece is now the Front and Back Dress.

2. Cut bias strips 1 1/4" width by the length measurement in the chart. Stitch 2 strips of bias strips together to make 2 long bias ties.

3. Create the top bias bands by pressing both long edges of the ties to the center and unfold. Or use a bias tape maker. 4. Gather the tops of the dress front and back to the length of the bias bands. Unfold the top bias bands and place the right side of the bands to the wrong side of the dress tops. Stitch in place using a 1/4” seam. 5. Refold the bands. Wrap the bands to the right side of the dress front and back and top stitch in place. 6. Create the bias ties by pressing both long edges of the ties to the center and unfold. Or use a bias tape maker. 7. Stitch the side seams with right sides together and finish seams. 8. Place the right side of the tie strips to the wrong side of the dress armhole curve. Match the seam on the tie strips with the side seam of the dress. Stitch ties to armhole curve. 9. Refold the strips and top stitch the folded edges together. 10. Tie a knot to each end of the ties. 11. Hem according to Ella instructions.

Smocked Instructions

1. Retrace the dress back by lowering the top cutting line by 2 ½”. Add fullness by measuring over from top of armhole curve by the amount in the chart to create a new place on fold line. This new pattern piece is now the Front and Back Dress.

2. Cut bias strips 1 1/4" width by the length measurement in the chart listed above (with unsmocked instructions). 3. Pleat 6 – 9 rows with first row ¼” from top on both the Front and Back dress. 4. Pull up pleated area to the length of front and back bias bands. 5. After smocking is complete, place one strip of Tiger Tape above first row of smocking. Stitch across the top front and back above the Tiger Tape using a stitch length of 1.5mm. 6. Trim all fabric above the tape and remove tape. 7. Create the top bias bands by pressing both long edges of the ties to the center and unfold. Or use a bias tape maker. 8. Unfold and place the right side of the bands to the wrong side of the dress front. Pin in place. Stitch following the stitching line on the right side of dress. Repeat with the dress back. 9. Wrap the bias band to the right side of the dress front and top stitch in place. Repeat with the dress back. 10. Create the bias by pressing both long edges of the ties to the center and unfold. Or use a bias tape maker.

11. Stitch side seams with right sides together and finish seams. 12. Place the right side of the ties to the wrong side of the dress armhole curve. Match the seam on the tie strips to the side seam of the dress. Stitch the ties to the armhole curve. 13. Refold the tie strips and top stitch the folded edges together along the full length of the ties. 14. Tie a knot at each end of the ties. 15. Hem according to Ella instructions.

Adaptation by Susan Whitman

Click the printer icon below for printable version.