Sewing a Dress From 5 Rectangles of Fabric! DIY Milk Maid Dress

How to make a milk maid style, midi dress from just 5 rectangles of fabric (plus pockets of course)! Thanks for watching x
Shop my sewing patterns: www.roseryappa...
Things mentioned:
free pocket template: www.roseryappa...
How to shirr fabric video: • DIY SHIRRED Puff-Sleev...
What I'm wearing: • DIY Gathered Midi-Skir...
Equipment Used:
Camera: Canon G7X ii
Sewing machine: Brother NS30
Overlocker/Serger: Singer 14sh644
My fabric scissors: bit.ly/4jhTxND *
Where to find me:
Shop: www.roseryappa...
Instagram: / roseryapparel
Twitter: / roseryapparel​​​
Affiliate Link. This means that if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive a small percentage of your purchase (at no extra cost to you).

[@gc0009]

A tip for you guys about the Shirring: when you close the side seam on whatever garment you are making (bodice, sleeve), sew the elastic tread in a spiral way all lines at once, start at one line on top or bottom, then when you finish the circle of the first line, instead of stopping, removing the garment, pulling out, cut the thread, putting back in, starting all over, and repeat, you just make a move from one line to another without cutting the tread, just continuing sewing, making a ''sliding''(? lol) to the next line non stopping, and then make a spiral. Get it? This way you don't have to cut the tread everytime or stop sewing everytime and turn the piece :) oh and at the end, when ironing, the ''slide'' will be no noticible, since the fabric shrinks and you will be using a thread that is the same color of the fabric. (i hope it makes sense what i say, i don't write english that well, and writing things it is harder to visualize than showing in a video, but i tried to describe the best i could)

[@silverwater211]

Question: When doing the spirals, how the "sliding" is made? Going diagonally or along the side seam with angles, or lifting the foot and going to the next line? Me too, English is not my language.

[@alisonmaschmeier8850]

So basically when you reach the end of a row of shirring, you would keep the needle in the fabric, lift presser foot, pivot fabric, put presser foot and sew to the next line, pivot again and make your next row. I don't like doing this because it will also pull up on the fabric due to using elastic thread to get to each row. I don't recommend this.

[@chelseymakes]

this is how I do my shirring too!! so much faster, and you don't lose tension on the bobbin this way

[@peggyolson6511]

Janelle always explains and displays what she is doing so clearly. There is never anything fussy or complicated, and she makes it all look so easy. She is very good at what she does!

[@RoseryApparel]

Thanks so much! That means a lot and is so lovely to hear 🧡 x

[@marshietea]

Omg you read my mind! I've been wanting something like this for some new fabric I bought, and I was all "nah, I'll wait until Rosery Apparel posts something that'll suit" and wow, it's been ONE DAY since I bought the fabric and you've already delivered!

[@RoseryApparel]

Oh yay, perfect timing! Have fun making your dress 🧡 x

[@lengendary88]

I had to scroll back to find this tutorial because I want to use it as a guide for my valentines dress. Thanks for making it so easy to follow as I’m still a beginner.

[@suzannesmith8735]

I love watching your videos and am so impressed by them. Therefore I'm so happy that I can finally give you a hint. When you're using your seam ripper to open a button hole, put a pin in the other end of the buttonhole (before you rip). That will stop you tearing any further than you mean to. :)

[@darihernandezstudio]

Great tip!! I use a buttonhole cutter to open the buttonhole but this tip is excellent. I know many people use their seam ripper instead.

[@berniceoconnor5381]

It's lovely!

[@LR-jo7ci]

I did not know that either ! Thank you :3

[@ScorpioHPfan4eva]

I love the floral print and the milk maid design. I was wondering if you make your own name labels or anything like that to put on your wardrobe? Or not really? Lol. Thank you for another cool video 😄😁

[@dianebruggemann3409]

M

[@debrasouza4342]

Perfection! This fabric was made for you. I love how the colors perfectly compliment your wardrobe!😍

[@RoseryApparel]

One of my favourite fabric purchases this year 😍

[@lynette.]

You took me back to the seventies. Simple, comfy, quick ,practical but easily styled up maxi version was more me.

[@evasaker2476]

That turned out really nicely! And you are very good at showing how you do! May I suggest that you put a little bit of interfacing behind the fabric befor you make the buttonhole? Alternatively a bit of scrap fabric. It will make it all neater and less risk of fraying in the wash. Another suggestion if one is a bit nervous about shirring is to just make another casing for an elastic instead.

[@RoseryApparel]

Great tips! Thank you 🧡

[@bekesize]

Thanks for this tip! I want to make this, but am very intimidated about the shirring.

[@celestethompson4891]

Fantastic dress I definitely need more dresses tutorials without darts as I’m still learning so I’m so grateful for this tutorial 🌸

[@darihernandezstudio]

I love that you can customize this. I have stayed away from the milkmaid patterns because of my bust size. I am on the larger size but saw that you tried it on and checked to see where the shirring should begin under the bust. Brilliant! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@nickycraddock7236]

Wow another great dress without a pattern. Such a lovely design. Suitable for all levels of experience. Thank you for sharing. X

[@roboccetti]

thank you! i love this style of dress, i've already made four of them following your tutorial! absolutely love them.

[@lyndapeterson9948]

Hi Janelle, the fabric you used was an amazing find. It reminds me of fabrics and wallpaper from when I was growing up. The colours are just perfect on you. Have a lovely week and enjoy the warming spring weather.

[@TheresaREAberilla]

Well, that's a good stiching on a nice and beautiful floral fabric!TFS

[@marathorne6821]

I always look forward to your sewing tutorials, Janelle! You make such pretty styles in amazing fabrics, and you make it all look so easy! 😊 This dress is absolutely gorgeous 😍 Enjoy wearing it!

[@RoseryApparel]

Thanks so much lovely 🧡

[@SnoogyWoogy]

I've bought commercial patterns to try and make something like this that were overly complicated and confusing. Thank you so much for making this, I'm excited to make my own.

[@tedkelly81]

Thanks for the great tutorial! I just made this dress at 35 weeks pregnant and it is super comfy now and I think will work well after pregnancy too!

[@alisonmaschmeier8850]

Congrats on baby and yes, it is wonderful to have clothing with elastic!

[@SamanthaMadison197]

What a beautiful dress - it really highlights the lovely vintage fabric.

[@lindak8664]

Love this dress. And that fabric is gorgeous! I’m definitely going to give this one a go.

[@RoseryApparel]

Have fun making it 🧡

[@foreveragox]

I love your tutorials! They're really accessible, easy to follow, and explained so clearly. I struggle with so many elements of sewing - even after two years of learning - and you're helping in my journey. Thank you! 😊

[@RoseryApparel]

This is lovely to hear! I’m so glad my videos are helping you in your sewing journey x

[@BrightAsAButton]

Hi Janelle, this takes me back to my teens (in the 70s). When I began creating my own clothes, rectangles were my best friend 😁 That fabric is just gorgeous! No doubt this pretty dress will be on high rotation this summer. I'm sure many of your viewers will join you thanks to your excellent tutorial.

[@RoseryApparel]

Love this! I’m so excited for it to warm up here so I can wear it everyday! 😍

[@misskpot]

I am so inspired! That is so cool that you made it without a pattern. I finally know what to do with the waffle cotton I’ve had my eye on.

[@blotchilim1980]

I love all the autumn-colored clothes you wore & hung in the beginning of the video ❤️

[@rachelbentley8220]

This is my next project! You always make such beautiful things - and you look amazing wearing them. Thank you for another fabulous tutorial, I always look forward to watching them xxx

[@sharonbrinders1224]

Stunning and simply beautiful tutorial, just love the colour and fabric. Your instructions are soo easy to understand thank you Janelle for sharing another amazing video. Looking forward to the next one. I'm unable to sew at the moment but can't wait to start again. Remain blessed xxx

[@BlessedForever888]

your dress colour palette along with boots and makeup and hair and everything was soooo perfectly matching and beautiful

[@elizabethquintanilla7258]

Well done, I can't wait to make one nice confy. Thanks for sharing

[@deanneblake7418]

The nicest one I’ve seen! Can’t wait to try making it! ❤

[@spanishhomemadeinbarcelona8070]

I love it! ❤️ Another project of yours that doesn’t require pattern! And this definitely saves lots of time

[@bowerbirdstyle7661]

Love love LOVE this! Especially the fabric and the gathers.

[@238Tina1]

Love how simply the sleeves are attached!

[@cindyreseck4429]

Such a great seamstress. Beautiful fabric and dress

[@theMaidenMother]

Love this! That fabric is what dreams are made of 😍😍

[@RoseryApparel]

Isn’t it amazing 😍😍

[@patrysnel1392]

This is fantastic! Thank you..greetings from South Africa 😊

[@yuukimare9847]

Omg! That dress and fabric are so Adorable!!

[@RoseryApparel]

Thank you so much 🧡

[@patbuegeler7770]

Love your style of clothes. Comfy. Also the color palette is sensationalized. Love your channel. It is different.

[@RoseryApparel]

Aw thank you! 🧡

[@cathytarapacz]

Absolutely gorgeous and that material is amazing

[@conqueringmountscrapmorewi2509]

Such a wonderful dress! Thank you for sharing your talent!

[@ashleylewis2783]

Just the perfect summer dress. This is my next sewing project for sure. Now off to find fabric 🏃‍♀️

[@lfuentes4098]

The fabric is the cutest! Love it.

[@RoseryApparel]

Isn’t it pretty 😍

[@joanreid2804]

This dress is absolutely adorable! One of the best tutorials Ive seen. Thank you!

[@rachelcasteel7348]

Just wanted to add, that your wedding ring is absolutely gorgeous! Lovely taste in your jewelry!

[@sheissewspiritual7840]

This is a great tutorial and the first one I could truly grasp. Have been wanting to make a dress like this for years and now I can! I have a suggestion and a few questions. Suggestion: Use interfacing or another piece of fabric at buttonhole for stability. Questions: 1. Why only 1 buttonhole for the tie? 2. Why don't you press your seams open? 3. What is the advantage to using CM instead of IN? I myself hate CM LOL. My questions are out of pure curiosity, no rudeness intended. I just love to understand how people think when it comes to sewing projects so I can improve on my skills.

[@elisasbastelecke]

I can't wait to make this. Now I have a good reason to go and buy silk or a silk-cotton blend

[@olivers333]

Just adorable!! Thanks for sharing! X

[@KnitLoveHK]

The dress pattern looks pretty and like this cloth. The video is detail and clear.Can follow it easily. Really like the tutorial and thanks for sharing

[@RoseryApparel]

Thank you! I’m glad you found it helpful 🧡

[@patriciaconiglio6717]

Beautiful fabric and an adorable style.

[@carjen121]

Oh my goodness you look beautiful. You’re so professional and so talent💕👏🏼👍🏻

[@RoseryApparel]

Aw thanks lovely x

[@silvathread]

Love this. Have to make it for this hot weather we're having in SA🇿🇦

[@conniesmith9989]

Thank you for also including it in inches...It makes it so much easier.

[@michellebruton6287]

Very nice !! a lovely tutorial and I just love your piece of fabric.

[@sandradearing604]

OMG at 1:11 l@@king at all those amazing finished outfits on the rack! WOW! so glad to watch/find this! TY for being such an amazing teacher!

[@teklavarrodaja9006]

Looks just gorgeous! I hope I'll learn enough over the winter that I'll be able to sew it for myself next spring or summer!

[@evepaludan7713]

What a beautiful dress! Thanks for the tutorial!

[@RoseryApparel]

Thank you 🧡 I’m glad you liked it x

[@brookefenton4107]

So pretty! I've been wanting to try this style so you have helped me figure out how to go about it.

[@mafky1816]

merci beaucoup pur ce tuto très bien expliqué cette robe est magnifique , je me suis abonnée pour ne louper aucun de vos prochaines vidéos , en espérant avoir encore d'autres tutos comme celui ..

[@kimber-t9m]

Brilliant I have old curtains I need to wear will do this!!

[@wendyh3245]

Gorgeous dress. Beautiful fabric. Lovely Janelle.

[@robinbebbington7063]

Wow looks great. Will add it to my to do list for making for my wife.

[@lesleycater1907]

I love this. Thank you so much. I almost bought a pattern and thought I should be able to draught this but don’t really have the time 🙈 so i am so glad i decided to take a look on youtube and found you xxx

[@FoD1975]

Brilliant, thanks Janelle! I’m going to make one for my daughter. I’ll follow the video up to about 12 minutes and then put some straps on I think. Recovering from Covid and haven’t been near my sewing machine for over a week! 😔 This will be a nice simple project to have a go at. ☺️🥰 Deb xx

[@RoseryApparel]

Yes, it’s super customisable which is great 😍 I hope you’re feeling better soon Deb xx

[@karenhart4316]

Wow love the fabric for that style Janelle 🙌🥰thank you 😊❤️‍🔥🧤👒🐨🦘🇦🇺Karen from Australia

[@Ana-tz5nz]

HUGE thanks for making this tutorial. It looks so easy to follow. 🙏🏽

[@rookmeeneeseesurn1087]

This is an incredible awesome, pretty, dress I never saw before, I just love love it thank you so much for sharing channel, you are the BEST :)

[@tammymarktm]

Super cute Janelle and great tutorial!

[@killamoosdraree730]

The construction is quite similar to the construction I used to make my first shift. I might give this a try but without any elastic. Thanks for the tutorial!

[@heathersarbo271]

Absolutely love this dress

[@MsBubu26]

I love the fabric you’ve chosen. I’m also soooo nervous to cut when I do a project 😬

[@padocsdoll]

Awesome as always!!! Thank you for being such an inspiration ♥

[@RoseryApparel]

Thank you! x

[@cthulhudreams]

Omg thank you for this tutorial. I bought a dress identical to this one but it's out of stock and there wont be any more made. I always get compliments on it when I wear it and I want to make more!

[@nicolasmith1460]

Excellent. Very clear video and instruction. Well done. More please!

[@Tunanunaa]

If you have a pretty fabric like this that you want to conserve/if you don’t have much fabric to work with one thing you can do is make pocket facings with the pretty fabric instead of the entire pocket. I do this all the time and it means you can use whatever scrap fabric you want for the main pocket pieces

[@cherylfowler5983]

Adorable and simply Elegant ❣️

[@veronicajackson1674]

I love that fabric you had that’s great fabric I’d be scared to cut it too but it turned out absolutely beautiful great job

[@rubyngutlick]

Love to try out your pattern..Looks easy to follow..Thankyou for sharing.

[@motherearth5462]

Love it!

[@rhondabeckwith8782]

Looks adorable

[@brigittedossor8167]

That is a very pretty dress.

[@thekurtcobainfoundation4200]

It's so pretty!!!!!

[@LikeitMakeitDIY]

Thank you for this pretty and beginner friendly DIY!!! ☺️

[@wildwoman8494]

This dress is sooo cute. Thanks. I will try it. Blessed be.

[@littlevintagelife]

Can't wait to make this😍😍😍

[@noelleso4279]

one word: ✨pockets✨😍

[@Kathy.Ferrari]

ok i will try thanks for your help

[@christink.5264]

This is such a cute dress!

[@kerfuffle9312]

Thank you so much for sharing! I am going to give this a go! Very straightforward….brilliant. 🤗👍🇨🇦

[@RoseryApparel]

I’m glad you liked it, have fun making one for yourself! 😊

[@hannahmarycxo]

You had me at ‘plus with pockets’ 😂

[@Honeytreasures]

I love this! I just found out I need a purple dress for next weekend and I’d love to make this. How many hours would you guess this took? Thank you for the video!

[@tinathaw739]

Hello, and thank you for the valuable content on your channel. I am a gal with a pear shape, and I wonder if I should use my widest measurement instead of the bust measurement for the body of the dress rectangle. I would greatly appreciate your guidance. My gut tells me if I use my bust measurement the dress won't flow across my wide hips.🤷‍♀

[@yuukimare9847]

I have never clicked so fast!

[@sabrinal8497]

hello, wahou il love this dress ! thank you for your sharing, your explanations are very clear !

[@imenebenyamina5388]

I enjoyed this so so much thank you ❤

[@helenmcdonald2737]

Hi Janelle. I wonder if the original owner of the fabric was a bit scared to cut into it too and that’s why it was still waiting to be made into a garment after all those years. I’m glad you took the leap. That fabric needs to be seen out and about as a beautiful dress. 🌸

[@RoseryApparel]

Maybe!! I’m just so relieved the dress worked out and I didn’t ruin the fabric 😂 x

[@sunshinehaydeeify]

It looks beautiful!!!

[@hithere7282]

Loved this.

[@joanaeldo]

How to get rid of the puffiness in the back??

[@yinmnblueviridian400]

Comfy and beautiful

[@bethcolespeaks]

You can use a bias tape maker to make the tie. Thanks for an easy tutorial! -

[@mnoeliarc]

Another beautiful dress. I have to say that I’m not as brave as you when I rip open the button holes. I usually put a pin on the end to prevent it from ripping through the end of the button hole.

[@RoseryApparel]

I know I should do that, I’m just too lazy 😂

[@elizabethenglish2102]

I’m quite pear shaped so I think using my bust measurement would result in a dress that’s too tight on my hips? How do I rectify that?

[@MicroKitty]

Are your hips more than double your bust? My entire bust is 38 inches. The rectangles I cut are both 38 inches wide, meaning (with seam allowance) when I sew them together - the circumference of the dress is 75.5” my butt is 44” If your butt is more than double your bust, you could scale down to it, you would probably have too much fabric around your bust to choose that measurement for the rectangle