Transparent
White
Pink
Red
Orange
Tan
Beige
Ivory
Yellow
Gold
Brown
Green
Blue
Purple
Grey
Black
Multi
Abstract
African Print
Animal Print
Baby & Nursery
Beach
Buffalo Check
Camo Print
Celestial
Chevron
Church
Damask
Embroidered
Floral
Food
Geometric
Gingham Check
Heathered
Holographic
Honeycomb
Houndstooth
Iridescent
Licensed
Nautical
Paisley
Patriotic
Plaid
Pleated
Polka Dot
Rainbow
Solid
Sports
Stripe
Tie Dye
Tropical
Project Description
Why is it so hard to shop for summer clothes? Skip the store next time and try making your own! Using this easy sewing tutorial, learn how to make an elegant poplin summer dress with vibrantly colored Alpine Shirting Slub Poplin. By using only a few materials, you will quickly have a comfortable dress that is breathable and stays cool in warm weather. Stop shopping for clothes and start making them.
Supplies
Here's what you will need!
- Free Dress Pattern – Sewing Pattern #4157
- 3 Yards of Alpine Shirting Slub Poplin – Pink
- 1 Yard of Fusible Interfacing
- Sewing Machine
- Serger (optional)
- Iron
- Matching Thread
- Scissors
- Zipper Foot
- 20" Zipper
STEP 1 Get The Pattern
First fill out the garment sizing information, then download and print the Free Dress Pattern – Sewing Pattern #4157.
STEP 2 Cutting the Pattern
Add a seam allowance if needed, and following the instructions, cut out each pattern piece according to size. Don’t forget to transfer any markings and notches.
STEP 3 Pin And Stitch Front Piece
Pin darts in the both sides of the bodice front piece and stitch them together with a 2.5-inch stitch length. Press the darts towards the center of the garment.
STEP 4 Pin And Stitch Back Piece
Repeat step 3, for the bodice back piece.
STEP 5 Pin Skirt And Bodice Back
Pin the skirt back piece and the bodice back piece to each other.
STEP 6 Sew Skirt And Bodice Back
Next, sew the skirt back piece and the bodice back piece together by using a serger machine or a 2.5-inch stitch length.
STEP 7 Stitch Raw Edges
Now, serge or zig-zag stitch the raw edges of the newly combined skirt back piece and bodice back piece.
STEP 8 Form Darts In Front Skirt
Form darts in the front skirt piece by going back to step 3 and following the instructions.
STEP 9 Stitch Skirt And Bodice Front
Stitch the front skirt piece to the bodice front piece by using a 2.5-inch stitch length.
STEP 10 Combine The Pieces
Leaving a 20-inch opening for a zipper at the back neckline of the garment, combine the bodice pieces together, and skirt pieces together at their respective shoulder and side seams. Be sure to use a 2.5-inch stitch length.
STEP 11 Apply Interfacing
Using a hot clothes iron, apply the interfacing to the both the front-facing and back-facing pieces.
STEP 12 Stitch Front And Back Facing
Stitch the front-facing and back-facing pieces to each other by using a 2.5-inch stitch length.
STEP 13 Pin The Facings To Dress
Pin the facings to the dress neckline with their right sides together. Next, stitch the facings to the dress neckline by using a 2.5-inch stitch length.
STEP 14 Understitch The Facing
With a 3-inch stitch length, understitch the facing. Make sure the facing remains on the inside of the dress.
STEP 15 Press the Facing
Press the facing into place by using a hot clothes iron.
STEP 16 Hem The Sleeve Edges
Hem the lower edges of the sleeve pieces with a serger or a 2.5-inch stitch length.
STEP 17 Pin The Sleeves
Pin the upper sleeve to the lower sleeve. Next stitch the right sides of the sleeves to the wrong sides of the sleeves by using a 2.5-inch stitch length.
STEP 18 Stitch The Sleeves
Fold the sleeves over with their right sides together. Next stitch them by using a 2.5-inch stitch length.
STEP 19 Sleeve Gathering
Form gathers in the upper sleeves. Sew 2 parallel rows of stitching by using a 5-inch stitch length. Using the top row of stitching, grab both ends with your right hand and pull the fabric with your left hand to gather the fabric.
STEP 20 Stitch Sleeves To Garment
Baste the sleeves onto the arm scythes. Next stitch the sleeves to the garment by using a 3-inch stitch length.
STEP 21 Attach the Zipper
Pin the zipper to the open edge of the back of the dress. Using a zipper foot on your sewing machine, or by hand, sew the zipper with 2.5-inch stitch length.
STEP 22 Finishing
Hem the lower edge of the dress by repeating step 16. Lastly, press the garment one final time. Your dress is now complete!
1 comment
Sally
Is there supposed to be a pleat at the front neckline? I didn’t see any mention of it in the tutorial. Can you cut the sleeves on the fold at the underarm? What is the recommended placement for the overlap on the sleeves?
Is there supposed to be a pleat at the front neckline? I didn’t see any mention of it in the tutorial. Can you cut the sleeves on the fold at the underarm? What is the recommended placement for the overlap on the sleeves?