Pre-washed fabric of your choice (at least 1 square metre to be safe)
lace trimming (at lease 2 metres to be safe)
thread
strapping (for the neck and ties) 155 centimetres
sewing machine
scissors
measuring tape
sewing chalk
pins

Cut out all the pieces in the diagram. They are all rectangular-shaped so it is very easy. Also pre-cut the neck strap and the ties.

Now, sew each piece one at a time before putting the whole thing together:

For piece 1.

The patterns allow 15 millimetres around the edge to make a double-hem, fold the top, right and left edge in twice (~7.5 millimetres x 2) using the iron to hold them down and then pin lace around these edges (do needn’t hem or lace the bottom as this will be tucked in between the two sides of piece 3). As you are pinning the top edge, attach the neck strap so each end meets the two top points (as in the diagram). Make sure the neck strap is big enough to go over your head. The measurement I have specified here usually works but everyone is different! Use your machine to sew neatly around the lace, fastening the hems at the same time.

For piece 2.

Repeat the process for piece one, folding in the hem twice, ironing it in place and then pinning and sewing the lace around the bottom, left and right edges (this time, the top end is left out as this piece will sit between the two sides of Piece 3).

For piece 3.

Take the two pieces of fabric you have cut out to make Piece 3 and hem the edges in using the iron. Make sure the two pieces are exactly the same size and sit against each other evenly, the print facing out on both sides.

To assemble
Lay the two pieces that make up piece three on the bench so that they are sitting against each other, print facing out on both sides.

Place the bottom edge of piece 1 in between these two pieces and fasten with pins. Do the same with the top edge of piece two. You will have noticed that this piece is too long to fit perfectly between the length of Piece 3, this is because you need to make four little folds to create the ‘skirt’ look. Make two folds on the left side facing into the centre, and two on the right side again facing into the centre. Using the iron to mould them in place.

Make sure the folds stay in place while you are pinning this piece between the two sides of Piece 3.

Before you start sewing the three pieces together, place one strap at each end of piece three and fasten with a pin. Now you simply need to sew around piece three, removing the pins as you go.

Tips

*Always tie off your ends to ensure the stitching won’t come apart in the future.
*You should make a fold at the end of each strap and sew around them to prevent fraying.