This is a fun and simple little dress worked flat with basic crochet stitches, better learned elsewhere and everywhere. I used a US size E/3.5 mm hook which is about the same as a 00 steel and size 10 crochet thread both of which are easy to find.
1 Chain 18, chain 1 and turn (the bodice is 18 stitches wide all the way down)
2 single crochet stitches (sc) across, chain and turn
3 make 3 single crochet stitches, chain 3 and skip over the next 3 stitches (this makes the arm hole), make 6 single crochet stitches, chain 3 and skip over the next 3 stitches (arm hole), make 3 single crochet stitches, chain 1 and turn
4-11 are hdc (half double crochet in the US) chain 2 stitches at the end of each row to turn. Work in to the first stitch and make sure you have 18 stitches across. You can omit some rows to make a shorter bodice.
The ruffles are clusters, work 2-3 double (dc) or triple (tc) stitches in each stitch at the bottom of the bodice. Make as long as you want. My dress is a row of doubles then a row of triples. You can work the skirt in rounds if you wish.
Sew the skirt together to the base of the bodice with crochet thread. You can lace up the back and tie it with a bow, Although there is a bit of stretch it's easier to dress with an open back. You can sew a bit of the ruffles together at the crotch to make a suit.
