Just getting started with your Baby Lock serger? This beginner tiered, trendy dress pattern is both easy and impressive! With the help of the ruffling foot and Aura Patterns, this pretty smocked dress will be your favorite go-to piece to wear day or night.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PRINTABLE INSTRUCTIONS AND PATTERN WITH ADDITIONAL PHOTOS.

Supplies

• Baby Lock 4-Thread Serger
• Baby Lock Sewing Machine (The Accomplish was used for this project)
• Aura Patterns Smock Dress Pattern https://www.aurasewingpatterns.com/
• Woven fabric of your choice. Please reference pattern for yardage amounts.
• 4 Spools Madeira Serger Thread
• 2 Klasse Universal or Sharps Needles
• Baby Lock General Purpose Foot for Serger
• Baby Lock Ruffling Foot for Serger
• Baby Lock General Purpose Foot for Accomplish Sewing Machine
• Baby Lock Very Narrow Foot for Accomplish Sewing Machine
• 18 Inches 1/4” Elastic
• Rotary Cutter or Scissors
• Cutting Mat
• Wonder Clips
• Iron and Ironing Board

Instructions

Cut two of the following:

• Front bodice
• Back bodice
• Top sleeve
• Bottom sleeve
• Mid panel (cut on fold of fabric)
• Bottom ruffle (cut on fold of fabric)
• Elastic for sleeve hem (measure wrists, add 1/4” -1/2”

1. Print pattern pieces, tape together, and cut paper pieces.
2. Place the front bodice pieces on top of each other with right sides together. With a sewing machine, sew the neckline using a 1/2” seam allowance. Clip the curve several times to create a smooth neckline and turn to the right side to press. Once complete, baste the lining and main fabric at the armholes and side seams to create one “piece” of fabric.
3. Repeat the same process for the back neckline.
4. With right sides together, sew shoulder seams together with a 4-thread overlock using a 1/2” seam allowance.
5. Lay the front and back bodice open, with right sides of fabric facing up. Clip with Wonder Clips, and serge the top sleeves to the bodice arm holes, so right sides are facing each other. Finish the seam with a 4-thread overlock stitch and a 1/2” seam allowance.
6. With the ruffling foot, attach the bottom sleeves to the top sleeves with a 4-thread overlock stitch and a 1/2” seam allowance.
7. Place the bodice and attached sleeves right sides together. Sew the seam with a 4- thread overlock stitch and a 1/2” seam allowance, leaving about 1.5” open at the bottom of the bodice. This will allow us to attach the mid panel.
8. With right sides together, clip 1 mid panel onto the front bodice and one mid panel onto the back bodice. With the ruffling foot, attach both mid panels to the front and back bodice with the ruffling foot, using a 4-thread overlock stitch and a 1/2” seam allowance.
9. With right sides together, clip 1 bottom ruffle onto each mid panel. With the ruffling foot, attach both bottom ruffles to each mid panel with the ruffling foot, using a 4-thread overlock stitch and a 1/2” seam allowance.
10. With right sides together, clip the front of the dress to the back of the dress, and serge from the bottom of the bottom ruffle, up to the bodice to complete the body of the dress with a 4-thread overlock, and a 1/2” seam allowance.
11. With the dress inside out, fold 1/4” of each sleeve under and press. Measure your wrists and cut the sleeve elastic. Add enough elastic to be comfortable on your wrist. Attach each end of the elastic together with a sewing machine.
12. Place the elastic next to the 1/4” fold, and slowly sew the elastic into the bottom of the sleeve, making sure not to catch the elastic in the needle. This will encase your elastic to make a gathered wrist.
13. Hem the bottom ruffle of the dress by folding under twice 1/2” and pressing in place. Sew close to the edge with sewing machine foot of your choice. I used a Very Narrow foot for the Accomplish sewing machine for this step.