Below the Knee Belted Dress with Placket and Center Front Slit
Introducing a versatile women's sewing pattern for an elegant midi dress, featuring a sophisticated V-neck placket, graceful balloon sleeves, and a flattering self-tie belt inserted into the side seams.
When To Wear
This dress offers a blend of comfort and elegance, suitable for various occasions:
- Everyday Chic: Perfect for a polished daily look, balancing style and ease.
- Workwear: An ideal choice for professional settings, offering a sophisticated and appropriate silhouette.
- Special Occasions: Easily dressed up for semi-formal events, brunches, or evening gatherings.
Key Design Features
Silhouette: An elegant, relaxed a-line silhouette, falling below the knee for a refined midi length.
Neckline: a clean V-neckline transitions into a distinctive front placket detail, extending down the bodice.
Closure: a concealed zipper closure is neatly integrated into the center back seam for a smooth finish.
Sleeves: Long balloon sleeves gather into tailored cuffs, each featuring a subtle slit and button closure.
Back: a clean, smooth back with a central seam and a hidden zipper, complemented by the belt's tie detail.
Hem: a graceful midi-length hem adorned with a stylish center front slit for ease of movement.
Waist: a wide, self-fabric belt is elegantly inserted into the side seams, allowing for adjustable cinching and styling.
Level Of Difficulty
Intermediate. This pattern requires skills such as V-neck placket construction, inserting a concealed zipper, gathering techniques for sleeves, and constructing cuffs and a self-fabric belt.
Fabric Recommendations
Opt for soft dress fabrics with a beautiful drape to achieve the intended flow and silhouette:
- Soft dress fabrics made from natural or blended fibers
Additional Supplies
- Fusible interfacing
- Concealed zipper
- 2 buttons
Cutter's Must
When stitching pieces, pay attention to the notches - they must match!
- From main fabric:
- Back - 2 pieces
- Front - 2 pieces
- Placket – 4 pieces
- Back neckline facing – 4 pieces
- Sleeve – 2 pieces
- Cuff – 2 pieces
- Belt – 2 pieces
- From fusible interfacing:
- Placket – 2 pieces
- Back neckline facing – 2 pieces
- Cuff – 2 pieces
Sewing Instructions
- Fuse interfacing to the designated pieces.
- Mark and stitch the bust darts on the front, press the dart depths upwards.
- Stitch the shoulder seams, press allowances towards the back and overlock.
- Stitch the shoulder seams of the back neckline facings and plackets, press allowances open. Fold the plackets in pairs right sides together and stitch from the corner of the front neckline to the slit mark. Clip allowances at the mark, press open. Fold the outer and inner plackets right sides together and stitch the neckline edge, clip allowances at the curve, turn the piece right side out, straighten, and press. Stitch the plackets together from the slit mark to the bottom. Attach the placket with facing to the dress, press allowances towards the main piece and overlock.
- Overlock the center back edge separately on each piece. Stitch the center back seam from the zipper mark to the bottom, press allowances open. Insert the concealed zipper.
- Fold the belt lengthwise in half right sides together and stitch along the long and diagonal sides. Turn the belt right side out, straighten and press.
- Stitch the side seams, gathering and inserting the belt according to the markings, press allowances towards the back and overlock.
- Make a slit on the sleeve along the marked line. Cut a bias strip from the main fabric 4 cm wide and a length equal to double the slit length + 4 cm. Fold the bias strip lengthwise in half and press. Press the outer allowances towards the center. Finish the sleeve slit with the bias strip. Stitch the sleeve seam, press allowances towards the back and overlock. Along the bottom edge of the sleeve, stitch with a loosened top thread and gather.
- Fold the cuff lengthwise in half right sides together and stitch the corners. Attach the outer side of the cuff to the sleeve. Fold the allowance of the inner side inwards and topstitch into the attachment seam.
- Set the sleeves into the armholes, matching the notches. Press allowances and overlock.
- Overlock the hem of the garment, press to the wrong side and topstitch.
- Overlock buttonholes and sew buttons on the cuffs.
