Zippered Dress with Collar and Drawstring
Introducing a versatile dress pattern featuring a paneled construction with a stand collar, a full-length front zipper, and a cinched drawstring waist, offering both comfort and modern style.
When To Wear
This zippered dress is designed for effortless style and adaptability, perfect for:
- Casual Daywear: a comfortable yet chic choice for everyday outings and errands.
- Smart-Casual Gatherings: Easily dressed up or down for informal social events or brunches.
- Transitional Seasons: The mid-length and collar make it suitable for cooler weather or layering.
Key Design Features
Silhouette: Relaxed a-line silhouette, midi-length, gently cinched at the waist by a drawstring.
Neckline & Collar: High stand-up collar providing a clean, structured neckline.
Closure: Full-length separating zipper at the center front, extending from the collar to the hem.
Sleeves: Dolman-style upper sleeves with distinct lower sleeve panels, creating a raglan-like seam, finished with fitted cuffs.
Pockets: Practical in-seam side pockets integrated into the skirt portion.
Back: Features a paneled yoke mirroring the front design, with a discreet center back seam.
Waist: Adjustable drawstring casing at the natural waistline for customizable shaping and comfort.
Length: Midi-length, gracefully falling below the knee.
Design Details: Horizontal yoke panels on the upper bodice and sleeves provide an opportunity for interesting fabric blocking or contrasting materials.
Level Of Difficulty
Intermediate. Requires skills in zipper insertion, collar construction, creating a drawstring casing, and assembling multiple paneled pieces.
Fabric Recommendations
Choose dense dress fabrics with some body and drape, suitable for both main and contrast panels:
- Medium-weight wool suiting
- Tweed
- Flannel
- Heavy cotton twill
- Linen blends
- Faux leather or similar stable wovens for contrast panels
Additional Supplies
- Separating zipper
- Fusible interfacing
- Decorative drawstring cord
Cutter's Must
If the patterns have a double contour, seam allowances are included. If the contour is single, seam allowances are not included. Seam allowances: all seams 1 cm; hem allowance - 2 cm. Attention! First, print out the paper patterns and lay them out on the fabric width (fabric width can be from 90cm to 150cm) to determine how much material you will need (don't forget to account for paired and symmetrical pieces).
- From main fabric:
- Lower back sleeve - 2 pieces
- Central back - 2 pieces
- Lower back — 2 pieces
- Central front - 2 pieces
- Lower front — 2 pieces
- Lower front sleeve – 2 pieces
- Cuff – 2 pieces
- Casing – 1 piece
- Pocket side – 2 pieces
- Pocket – 2 pieces
- Front facing – 2 pieces
- From main fabric 1:
- Upper back sleeve – 2 pieces
- Upper back – 2 pieces
- Upper front sleeve – 2 pieces
- Upper front - 2 pieces
- From fusible interfacing:
- Collar stand – 1 piece
- Cuff – 2 pieces
- Front facing – 2 pieces
- Collar stand - 2 pieces
Sewing Instructions
When stitching pieces, pay attention to the notches - they must match!
- Interface the pieces with fusible interfacing.
- Stitch the central and upper back parts. Overlock the seam allowance and press it upwards. Stitch the back sleeve parts. Overlock the seam allowances and press them upwards. Attach the sleeve to the back. Overlock the seam allowances and press them towards the sleeve. Topstitch along the sleeve 0.5 cm from the seam. Attach the lower back to the back. Overlock the seam allowance and press it upwards. Stitch the center back seam. Overlock the seam allowance and press it to the left side.
- Stitch the central and upper front parts. Overlock the seam allowance and press it upwards. Stitch the front sleeve parts. Overlock the seam allowances and press them upwards. Attach the sleeve to the front. Overlock the seam allowances and press them towards the sleeve. Topstitch along the sleeve 0.5 cm from the seam.
- Place the pocket piece onto the lower front, right sides together, and stitch the pocket opening. Clip the seam allowances, turn the pocket to the wrong side and press. Place the lower front onto the pocket side and stitch the pocket bag seams. Overlock the seam allowance and press. Secure the pocket at the side and upper edges.
- Attach the lower front to the front. Overlock the seam allowance and press it upwards.
- Stitch the shoulder and side seams, simultaneously with the sleeve seam. Overlock the seam allowances and press them towards the back.
- Attach the upper collar stand to the neckline. Press the seam allowances open.
- Stitch the shoulder seams of the front facing and the back neckline facing. Press the seam allowances open. Overlock the outer edges of the front facing and facing. Attach the inner collar stand to the neckline. Press the seam allowances open. Place the front facing onto the front, aligning the edges, insert the separating zipper and stitch along the front edge and collar stand. Turn the front facing to the wrong side and secure it at the neckline edge and shoulder seam.
- Turn under the short seam allowances of the casing to the wrong side and topstitch. Press the long seam allowances of the casing to the wrong side. Place the casing onto the waist seam and topstitch from the right side with two parallel rows of stitching.
- Stitch the cuff into a loop. Press the seam allowances open. Fold the cuff in half lengthwise and press. Attach the outer side of the cuff to the sleeve. Fold the seam allowance of the inner side inwards and topstitch into the seam of the outer side attachment.
- Overlock the hem allowance of the dress, press it to the wrong side and topstitch.
- Secure the front facing to the waist seam with hand stitches. Thread the cord through the casing.
