How to make a smock dress

Here is how to make a really pretty sun dress that I think is perfect for the beautiful weather we've been having. I used an old flat sheet of mine to make this dress. It saved the time and money of going to the fabric store and I didn't have to do a hem because I used the edge of the sheet. It's as easy as 123.. but don't forget 4!
*Extra item: Elastic thread*

1) First off you need to determine how big your rectangle needs to be. This is the body of your dress. Start by measuring the top of your chest down to the length you want your dress to be. This is the length of you rectangle. Next measure the width, measure the largest part of your bust and add 10 inches. Now take your measurements and mark them on your sheet. Cut it out.

2) Now let's do the straps. With the dress in the picture I took three different pieces of fabric 2" wide, and braided them. After I braided it I measured how long they should be by putting them over my shoulders.

3) Next we are going to smock our dress, but first we need to hem the top of our dress body. Do a small little hem. Now we need to take an empty bobbin and wind our elastic thread on it. You have to do it by hand because there cannot be any tension in the elastic. Now with the right side of your fabric up begin to stitch right along the hem. After you get all the way to the end go back to the beginning and stitch the same way but half inch away from the last seam. Keep going until you have 16 or so of those rows.

4) With right sides together sew the two edges together. And put it on to make sure it fits and decide where the straps should go. Pin them and take off your dress then stitch on the straps matching up the seam with the hem seam.
Try on your dress to make sure everything fits right again and enjoy!