How to Sew a Dress

Polka Dot Dress

  

Dress Details :-

• Shape :- Trapezoid
• Length of the Dress :- Knee Length
• Neckline :- Closed Round Front Neckline, Back also Same Round Neckline with a Slit/Keyhole with a Button Closure
• Sleeveless
• Pockets on Both the sides
• Fabric :- Rayon Fabric - Plain Dark Brown 
• Pattern Used : Boatneck Pattern Sheet from the Book "Sew Many Dresses Sew Little Time"

Measurements Required :- Bust Size and Length

Supplies I Used:

• 2.73 Yards or 2.5 Meters - Rayon
• Fusible Interfacing
• One Fabric Button
• Thread
• Acrylic Paint - Pale Tint Shade for the Polka Dots (Optional)

Steps to Follow :-

1. Trace and Draft the Pattern
2. Finish Neckline
3. Attach Pockets
4. Join Shoulder line
5. Finish Armhole line
6. Sew Side Seams with Pockets
7. Finish Hem Line

Pattern Pieces :-

• Boatneck Template (Same for both Front and Back) -  from the Book "Sew Many Dresses Sew Little Time"- Pattern Sheet 3 Front - Size 5 I used (Pattern Includes the Seam Allowance)

• Pockets Template - I made it from one of my dresses

• Facing and Interfacing - Same Boat Neck Template Used

Instructions :-

1. Trace the Pattern from the Pattern Sheet and Cut it Out

Boat Neck Template

Tracing the Pattern

2. Lay the Pattern on the Fabric on Fold -  Width wise Folded Fabric

3. Mark the Length on the Folded Side (Don't Forget to add Seam Allowance to the Length - I took 1.5'')

4. Then Mark the Length of the Dress on the side seam, From Armhole End to the Width End of the Fabric at Hem for Trapezoid Shape

5. Cut 2 Pcs Front and Back

6. Use Same Boat Neck Pattern for Interfacing and Iron it on the Fabric and make Facings for the necklines (You can use any method for Finishing the Necklines - Bias Tape Binding or Just Use the Facings without the Interfacings)

7. Cut 4 Pcs of Pocket template on the Fabric

Painted the Polka Dots on Both the Front and Back Pieces

Sewing Instructions :-

1. Sew the Front and Back Facings to its Neckline

Lay and Iron the Interfacings on the Fabric and Cut

Interfacings with the Facings

With right sides together Sew the Facing to the Neckline of the Front Piece of the Dress 
Clip the Seam Allowance, Under stitch it and Turn the Facing to the wrong side of the Dress

Do the Same for the Back Piece of the Dress - Add the Button Loop while Sewing the Back Neckline

Back Neckline - Red Markings is the Stitch Guide, Green is the Button Loop - Insert it while Stitching the Back Neckline

Blue Markings is to Cut the Fabric after Sewing - Do Not Cut Close to the V Stitch Point

2. Stitch the Loop for the Button while sewing the Slit Gap on Back Neckline

How to Sew Facing -
From the Book "Gertie Sews Jiffy Dresses"

3. Sew the Front and Back Pieces right sides together at Shoulder

4. Sew the Armhole with Bias Tape Binding

How to Sew Bias Facing to Armhole area -
From the Book "Gertie Sews Jiffy Dresses"

5. Sew the Pockets - Pockets Comes on the Hip area - It was 16" down From Shoulder where my dress's Pocket Opening Started 

6. Sew the Side Seams

7. Finish the Hem With Double Folded Hem

8. Sew the Button

I have given two links on How to Sew the Pockets and the Side Seams with the Pockets:-

Video by Gertie in YouTube, Find the link below :-

Make a Vintage Inspired Circle Skirt!

Video by Kim Dave in YouTube, Find the link below :-

How To Sew Panelled Circe Maxi Skirt With Pockets | Kim Dave

Finished Front Neckline and Armholes on the Wrong Side

Finished Back Neckline and Armholes on the Wrong Side

Finished Pocket on the Wrong Side

Finished Front Neckline and Armholes on the Right Side

Finished Back Neckline and Armholes on the Right Side

Finished Pocket on the Right Side

Finished Polka Dot Dress

Notes :-

• You can Choose any Neck Pattern to make this simple dress. I chose Boat neck to keep the same neck pattern on the front and the back side.

• Fabric is Cut in a Straight Grain - You can cut the dress pattern on a Bias Grain for more flare around the hem area - But the width of the Fabric should be Long - Eg. The fabric which I Used had a Width of 40 Inches. My required Length was 42" Approx. Plus the Length started from 8''on the bias while placing the Pattern so 50'' Width was needed.

I have Put a YouTube Link of the dress pattern cut in a Bias Grain by a Youtuber, Find the Link Below:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iTxphvdqI8&list=WL&index=20

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