With this sweet adaptation of the classic button-down, a little girl can channel the guy she adores -- Dad. The dress, which fits most children ages 4 to 8, has a drawstring neckline and sleeves.

Cut Shirt Using Pattern

Print pattern pieces; tape together, and cut out. Lay shirt flat, and trace pattern with disappearing-ink pen, following the higher neckline. Cut out; you will have a front and back piece. Trim the front neckline as shown on pattern. Trim the dress length if desired.

Sew Dress Pieces Together

Pin front and back pieces together, right sides facing, and sew along shoulders, under arms, and down sides, with a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Notch under the arms. Press seams open with iron. Finish seams with pinking shears or a zigzag stitch to prevent fraying. If you shortened the length, finish the edge with a double hem: Fold the unfinished edge over 1/4 inch. Press, then fold over 1/4 inch, and press again; pin, and edge-stitch.

Finish Neckline

Turn dress right side out. Fold a 16-inch length of bias tape over neckline; pin, turning under 1/2 inch at each end. Stitch tape 1/8 inch from the edge. To make a tie, cut a 22-inch piece of bias tape. Fold in half, right sides facing, so long edges meet, and stitch with a 1/8-inch seam allowance; use the loop turner to turn it right side out. Cut a slit in bias tape to the left of the button placket; attach a safety pin to the tie, and thread all the way through neckline, starting at the slit you just made.

Finish Sleeves

Fold an 11-inch length of bias tape around each sleeve opening, turning under 1/2 inch at each end, and pin. Stitch 1/8 inch from the edge, leaving an opening where the tape meets at the base of the sleeve opening. To cinch the sleeves, attach a safety pin to an 11-inch length of elastic and thread through the tape; cinch slightly. Trim elastic so the ends overlap 1/2 inch, and stitch. Hand-sew opening shut.