an extravagant welcome--dress block

These directions are for the dress block.

Next I will post the shirt and pants block.

In later posts I will show some variations on these basic patterns and how to cut multiples of backgrounds and body parts.

This block is put together in three horizontal sections.
It finishes 4 1/2 inches by 6 inches. (5 by 6 1/2 inches unfinished)
I capitalize PRESS so it is easier to find in the directions.

Top section:
background, head, background

Middle section:
left skirt and arm, center dress, right skirt and arm

Bottom section
background, legs, background

Cut background:
4 pieces 2 by 2 inches (used in four corners of block)
2 pieces 3 by 2 inches (used for skirt pieces done as sew and flip)
1 piece 1 by 2 inches (between two legs)
4 pieces 1 by 1 inch (used on head done as sew and flip)

Cut dress:
1 piece 2 by 3 1/2 inches (center dress)
2 pieces 2 by 2 inches (skirts done as sew and flip)
2 pieces 1 1/2 by 1 inches (sleeves)

Skin color:
1 piece 2 by 2 inches (head)
2 pieces 2 by 1 inches (legs)
2 pieces 1 by 1 inches (hands)

Prep:

Head--sew 1 inch background squares to head fabric as sew and flip in each corner. (I do NOT cut away the triangles as I like the stability on these little pieces of the head)

Arms--sew hands to sleeves. PRESS towards the sleeve.

Skirt--sew and flip a skirt section to a 3 by 2 inch background, make sure you make mirror images. I DO cut away the underlying triangles to reduce bulk.

Then, sew arms to the top of each skirt section--making sure you have the arm pointing left on the left skirt, and the arm pointing right on the right skirt. PRESS towards the arm.

Legs--sew background between legs. PRESS towards legs.

Lay out the sections:

Sew background squares to head. PRESS toward background squares, away from the head.

Sew arm and skirt sections to dress center. PRESS towards the dress center

Sew background squares to legs. PRESS towards background, away from the legs.

Sew sections together. PRESS towards the dress, away from the head, and PRESS towards the dress, away from the legs.