Sometimes I’m drawn to a pattern because of its versatility, and sometimes I’m drawn to a pattern for its intricacies. Today’s Origami Dress is one of those I love for its detail and uniqueness.
I had this idea floating around, so I began trying to draft something beautiful. The only problem is that I’ve never drafted a pattern before, and something with so many darts and intricacies was a little challenging.
But I love the results. I used these gorgeous Art Gallery prints from the Cultivate line for my Origami Dress, but I also think this pattern would be stunning in solids so the darts stand out on their own without the need for trim.
The Origami Dress pattern is for a long-sleeved dress with a lined bodice and is a size 5-6. It doesn’t have any closures, and just slips on over the child’s head. I’d say this is an intermediate pattern. All seam allowances are 3/8″ unless otherwise stated.
Origami Dress Supplies:
Click the links below to find supplies you may need (affiliate)
- Download the Origami Dress Pattern
- 2 yards fabric
- 1 yard trim (optional)
- Sewing machine and thread
- Serger (optional)
- Pinking shears (optional)
- Tailor’s chalk or fabric marker
Instructions:
- Download the Origami Dress Pattern and then tape and cut out the pattern pieces.
- Cut pieces from fabric using the pattern pieces and also cut two 18″ x 36″ rectangles for the skirt. Transfer the pattern markings onto the front bodice.
- For the front bodice, start with the first dart (marked on the pattern piece) and fold in the direction of the arrow. Press your dart, then repeat with the second dart.
- If you’re adding trim to the folds, sew the trim as close to the folded edge of the dart as possible.
- Turn your bodice over, and sew a presser-foot’s distance from the folded edge of the dart like in the photo below. We’re defining the dart but leaving space so you still see the folds on the front side.
Here’s what the front looks like when you flip it over again (with all the darts complete). - Repeat for the third and fourth folds. The third fold is not symmetrical, so the fold on the back of the bodice won’t be completely straight. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for these last darts. (Also, there may be a place where you need to trim excess, but I have tweaked the pattern to line up better since this photo was taken.)
- Baste around the edges of the front bodice where your darts are to secure the darts.
- With right-sides together (RST), sew the front bodice and back bodice at the shoulders. Press open seams. Repeat for lining.
- Lay your bodice and lining RST and sew around the neckline. Then notch your curves or use pinking shears on the seam allowance.
- Flip your lining to the inside, and press your neckline. Topstitch around the neckline. (And..different fabric for the rest of the tutorial. Ha!)
- Pin your sleeve to the armhole (armscye) of your bodice making sure the center of the sleeve aligns with the shoulder seams. Sew them together, and finish your seams. Repeat for the other sleeve.
- With RST, sew up the sleeve and down the sides of the bodice in one seam pivoting at the armpit. Repeat for the other side.
- To make the skirt, place the two rectangles RST and sew or serge both of the short sides (18″ sides) together to get a tube. I usually also serge around the bottom of my skirt at this point (as you can see here) but you can do it at the end too.
- Sew three lines of basting around the top of your skirt and gently pull the ends to gather your skirt.
Now turn your skirt inside out if it isn’t already. - With the bodice right-side out, place it inside your skirt so the raw edges are together (and right sides are together). Pin your skirt in place making sure the side seams of both your bodice and skirt are aligned.
- Sew your skirt and bodice together. Then flip it right-side out and press your seam up and check your gathers to make sure everything looks good. Then topstitch around the bodice.
- Hem your sleeves and skirt, and you’re done!
The Origami Dress is a gorgeous dress with straightforward construction and beautiful results inside and out. Give it a twirl!
I love the way the trim helps the Origami Dress shine and the details pop. I hope you love it as much as I do!
It’s so pretty, I’m looking forward to sewing this. Thank you for releasing this free pattern!
Thank you so much, Mary–I hope you love it!
Thank you for the free pattern Lisa! It’s adorable!!
Thank you!
Congratulations! Gosh this looks wonderful!
Oh, thank you Jen!
Beautiful! I’ve featured your free pattern out on Craft Gossip: http://sewing.craftgossip.com/free-pattern-girls-origami-dress/2015/12/19/
–Anne
Aww, thank you Anne! You’re wonderful!
Love the look of this dress!! I signed up for your newsletter and confirmed my e-mail this morning but haven’t seen an e-mail with the link to the pattern. Does it take a while to process or did I miss something? Would love to make this for my 5yr old, perfect for our cool winters 🙂
Hi Chrystie, the pattern should have popped up when you confirmed–perhaps it closed before you saw it. I’ll send you a quick email with it! And thanks for your sweet comment!
Thank you! Got your e-mail 🙂 Can’t wait to try it out!
Awesome! I can’t wait to see!
Beautiful and yes I downloaded the pattern !! Thank you ever so much !!
Thank you Diana! You are always so supportive. <3
You are so very welcome. Love your site and that you put it all there in blogland for all us to see , Thank you !!
What a beautiful dress! The lace on the bodice is lovely. I’m even featuring this at our weekly link party! http://www.thelifeofjenniferdawn.com/2016/01/6-amazing-sewing-projects-to-try-today.html
Thank you Jennifer! I really appreciate it!
Trying to download origami dress pattern with NO luck…can you, pretty please email a link or pattern?
Thanks.
Hi!
I tried to download the dress pattern. It it keeps bringing me back to the top of the tutorial page. Would you be willing to email it to me?
Thanks!
Amy
Hi Amy, I’m guessing you are trying to download on a tablet or phone. These work best on a desktop, but if you are using a tablet/phone go to the bottom of the page and choose the desktop view and then it should work for you. The pop ups don’t like the mobile site.
This is gorgeous! I didn’t see it mentioned specifically, but are you using cotton here? What kind of fabric?
hye.. i try to downloaded it through my laptop. but cannot. kindly email me the pattern to momsmoments.ent@gmail.com, please…
cannot down load pattern,keeps showing me dress and replies.
I can not get this beautiful pattern to download. Can you please help?Thanks
The same, I cannot download it on laptop
The same, I cannot download on laptop
I am unable to find the Oragami Dress with Free Pattern via Mabey She Made It.
Where can I locate the pattern download? Thank you.
Where is the dress pattern for the Oragami Dress by Mabey She Made It>
Thank you.
I’m having same problem as others to NOT being able to download this pdf! Can you email it to me please!!!
Would you email to me the Origami Girls Dress Pattern please.
Thank you.
Mtl Qc Friday, October 26 2018
Bonjour
This is a beautiful dress. Unfortunately the download free pattern is not working.Is the pattern still available. I would appreciate if there is another way to download your pattern.
Merci
Yolande
I love the pictures of the origami dress. The free pattern does not download. Would love to have it.
The pattern will not download. Is there another way to get it?
I have been trying to download this pattern , Origami Dress, and have had no luck. I have tried on my Tablet, Laptop and PC but with no luck. Could you please email it to me as it would be perfect for my grand daughters. Thank you.
Hi! It’s a beautiful dress and I would love to make this for my daughter, but I am also having trouble downloading it. Would you please email it to me as well? Thank you very much!!
Like the other ladies I love this dress but am unable to download it can you please email it to me thank you in advance Cheryl
I know I am late getting to this post. I love this dress and pattern, but the download button will not do anything. I am on a desktop. Is it possible to get this pattern? I would love to make it for my 6 year old granddaughter’s birthday in April. If you can email it to me, please send to pbnana310@gmail.com. Thank you sooo much!
I am using a laptop computer but the link to download isn’t working – keeps returning to the top of the page for the tutorial. Please help! The dress is adorable, I would love to make this for my granddaughter. She started first grade yesterday and she told me that when the teacher asked her to draw a picture of what makes her unique, she drew a picture of me giving her a dress, and she said what makes her unique is that her grandma makes her clothes. Too sweet. I was looking for something new and love your pattern. Hoping it is still available.
Please help I have access via my account. I seem to have trouble downloading the pattern for the origami dress. I have the tutorial for the dress which is available to print; it includes several places to download the pattern. If it is available would you please email me your reply. Thank you so much. Janice Mahoney
I can’t find the pattern to print. When I click on the pattern it just brings me back to the blog page again.
I have just spotted this lovely pattern. But like the others the download link is not working. Is it possible to get the pattern another way? Thank you
I try to download just like everyone, but could not do it. I am using laptop. Would you please help me? Thank you
I cannotdowload the pattern free of the orig
ami dress please send me the pdf
I’d love to make this for my grandaughter’s birthday in September. However the pattern download does not work and I notice others have the same problem too. Would you please send me a link to the download, as it is a beautiful dress and suitable for the winter here in Melbourne. Thanks
I try to download this and it just takes me to the same page of this article? Can you please help! (:
Thanks!
The link has been updated. Please try again!
Hello Lisa, I m Ida, and I love this dress ( origamidress). I found it. on the internet when I was searching for a little dress for my grandchild. I saw that it was a free pattern but I did not succeed downloading it. Do you still have this pattern?
The link has been updated. Please try again!
Hi, cant download the pattern for the Origami dress. help. Every time I hit download pattern it just brings me back to same page. What am I doing wrong…
The link has been updated. Please try again!
Can’t get this free pattern to download and I really love it!
The link has been updated. Please try again!
Since most everyone uses a tablet now days, has anyone been able to download this pattern? She tells someone in the comments to change to desktop view on her tablet and it will work. However, it does not.
The link has been updated. Please try again!
I an unable to download the pattern as well, via mobile or desktop 🙁
The link has been updated. Please try again!
I also am not able to download this pattern. Is there another way to get it?
Thanks, Raylene
The link has been updated. Please try again!
so beautiful thank u so much for your kindness. Very talented
Hello
Is the Origami Dress made for woven fabric and or knit fabric ??