Welcome Spring (free) Dress Pattern!!!

How has your Spring been treating you?  I know other parts of the world are still in a frozen state, but we have been having amazing weather!  It has been wonderful to be out enjoying that warm sunshine and getting a few things done around the yard while my kiddos ran around playing their games and riding bikes :)

I took a little longer than hoped to write up a pattern for my "Welcome Spring" dress, sorry for all those who were checking back :)  I've said before that I am new to sharing patterns, I usually make them up for the one or two things I need to make and then move on.  Or if I do write everything down, it only makes sense to me!  I've done my best to make the pattern understandable but please let me know if I've left something out or if it just doesn't make sense!

Welcome Spring Dress (Fits a Size 3)

Materials:
Bernat Handicrafter Cotton Yarn                             18"x42" Fabric (pre-shrunk)
5.00 mm hook                                                         Thread
4 buttons                                                                 Trim and Embellishments (if desired)
Tapestry Needle

Begin with 64 FHDC (This makes for a stretchy neckline), ch 1, turn
row 1:   64 sc across, ch 2, turn
row 2:   9 dc, ch 2, dc in last stitch, 17 dc, ch 2, dc in last stitch, 17 dc, ch 2, dc in last stitch, 17 dc, ch 2, dc in last stitch, 8 dc, ch 2, turn
row 3:   10 dc, ch 2, dc in last stitch, 19 dc, ch 2, dc in last stitch, 19 dc, ch 2, dc in last stitch, 19 dc, ch 2, dc in last stitch, 9 dc, ch 2, turn
row 4:   11 dc, ch 2, dc in last stitch, 21 dc, ch 2, dc in last stitch, 21 dc, ch 2, dc in last stitch, 21 dc, ch 2,   dc in last stitch, 10 dc, ch 2 turn
row 5:   12 dc, ch 2, dc in last stitch, 23 dc, ch 2, dc in last stitch, 23 dc, ch 2, dc in last stitch, 23 dc, ch 2,   dc in last stitch, 11 dc, ch 2, turn
row 6:   13 dc, ch 2, dc in last stitch, 25 dc, ch 2, dc in last stitch, 25 dc, ch 2, dc in last stitch, 25 dc, ch 2,   dc in last stitch, 12 dc, ch 2, turn
row 7:   14 dc, ch 2, dc in last stitch, 27 dc, ch 2, dc in last stitch, 27 dc, ch 2, dc in last stitch, 27 dc, ch 2,   dc in last stitch, 13 dc, ch 2, turn
row 8:   15 dc, ch 2, dc in last stitch, 29 dc, ch 2, dc in last stitch, 29 dc, ch 2, dc in last stitch, 29 dc, ch 2,   dc in last stitch, 14 dc, ch 2, turn
row 9:   16 dc, ch 2, dc in last stitch, 31 dc, ch 2, dc in last stitch, 31 dc, ch 2, dc in last stitch, 31 dc, ch 2,   dc in last stitch, 15 dc, ch 2, turn
row 10:  17 dc, ch 2, dc in last stitch, 33 dc, ch 2, dc in last stitch, 33 dc, ch 2, dc in last stitch, 33 dc, ch 2, dc in last stitch, 16 dc, ch 1, turn
row 11:  (worked on end of bodice) 20 sc across, ch 1, turn
row 12:  20 sc across, ch 1, turn
row 13:  2 sc, ch 2, skip 2 sc, 4 sc, ch 2, skip 2 sc, 4 sc, ch 2, skip 2 sc, 4 sc, ch 2, skip 2 sc, 1 sc, ch 1,     turn
row 14:  20 sc across, ch1, turn
row 15:  (worked on bottom of bodice)  18 sc, skip next 34 dc, sc in ch 2 space, 35 sc, skip next 34 dc, sc in ch 2 space, 17 sc, ch 1
row 16:  (worked on end of bodice)  20 sc across, ch 1, turn
row 17:  20 sc across, ch 1, turn
row 18:  20 sc across, ch 1, turn
row 19:  20 sc across
row 20:  join bodice with slst to 5th sc on opposite side (you need to skip the button hole strip so the dress will close) ch 1, sc around, join to ch with slst
row 21:  ch 1, sc around, join to ch with slst
row 22: ch 1, sc around, join with slst, fasten off

Weave in ends
Attach buttons to bodice using button holes as your guide

To make skirt:
*note* I use a 1/2" seam allowance
Add embellishments (rick-rack/ruffle) to skirt if desired
Sew short ends of fabric together
Fold over top 1/2", press, fold over 1/2" again, press and sew near top edge (If your seam is to low it will show   when the dress is finished)
Fold over bottom 1/2", press, fold over 1" again, press and sew hem
Sew a running stitch under top seam, pull threads to gather skirt to fit inside bodice
Pin skirt to inside of bodice, sew to attach

There you have it!  I hope you try it out for the little princess in your life.  If you have any questions or problems with the pattern please let me know and I'll try my best to sort them out for you!

Did you make a dress?  Let me know how it turned out with a comment!

Thanks for stopping by!
- Jenn