Button Front Dress With Gathered Skirt
Introducing a charming women's dress pattern featuring a fitted bodice, a flattering empire waistline, and a full, gathered skirt with a functional button-front closure.
When To Wear
This versatile dress is perfect for a range of relaxed occasions, offering both comfort and effortless style:
- Everyday Comfort: Ideal for casual wear, errands, or simply enjoying a comfortable day at home.
- Warm Weather Outings: Designed with short sleeves and a breathable silhouette, it's perfect for spring and summer days.
- Relaxed Day Events: Suitable for garden parties, brunches, or leisurely strolls where ease and elegance are desired.
Key Design Features
Silhouette: a comfortable yet flattering silhouette featuring a fitted bodice that flows into a full, gathered skirt, creating an a-line shape.
Neckline: a classic round neckline finished with a neat bias binding for a clean look.
Closure: a functional button-front placket extending down the skirt, allowing for ease of wear and adjustable ventilation.
Sleeves: Short, comfortable set-in sleeves, perfect for warmer weather.
Back: a clean, unadorned back bodice seamlessly transitioning into the gathered skirt.
Waist: a defined empire waistline positioned above the natural waist, creating an elongated and flattering profile.
Length: a stylish midi length, falling elegantly between the knee and ankle, offering versatile styling options.
Level Of Difficulty
Intermediate. This pattern requires skills in gathering fabric, constructing a button placket, applying bias binding, and setting in sleeves.
Fabric Recommendations
Choose lightweight to medium-weight woven dress fabrics that offer good drape and breathability:
- Linen & Linen blends
- Cotton lawn & Poplin
- Chambray
- Rayon challis
- Tencel twill
Additional Supplies
Cutter's Must
- From main fabric:
- Upper back - 2 pieces
- Upper front - 1 piece with fold
- Lower back – 2 pieces
- Lower front – 2 pieces
- Placket — 2 pieces
- Sleeve – 2 pieces
Sewing Instructions
- Fold the one-piece placket to the wrong side and press. Fold under the raw edge of the inner side of the placket and topstitch. On the right front, overlock buttonholes. Place the right front over the left and secure along the upper edges of the plackets.
- Along the upper edges of the lower back and front parts, stitch with loosened upper thread and gather. Stitch the upper and lower parts together. Press seam allowances upwards and overlock. Stitch the center back seam. Overlock seam allowances and press to the left side.
- Stitch side and shoulder seams, press seam allowances towards the back and overlock.
- Cut (if not ready-made) a bias binding 4 cm wide and a length equal to the neckline length + 6 cm. Fold the bias binding in half lengthwise, right side out, and press. Place the binding along the neckline edge, right sides together, and stitch. Fold the binding to the wrong side, clip seam allowances, and topstitch along the fold to the main piece. Press the seam.
- Stitch sleeve seams, press towards the back and overlock. Set sleeves into armholes, press seam allowances and overlock.
- Fold the bottom of the garment and sleeves twice to the wrong side by 1 cm and topstitch.
- Sew buttons to the left front.
