Front Zipper Sheath Dress with Short Sleeves
A fitted sheath dress showcasing elegant princess seams, practical short sleeves, and a chic front zipper for a contemporary touch.
When To Wear
This dress is versatile for various occasions, offering a polished look for:
- Professional Settings: Ideal for office wear, business meetings, and professional events.
- Smart Casual Outings: Perfect for daytime events, brunches, or elevated casual gatherings.
- Semi-Formal Occasions: Suitable for luncheons, receptions, or events requiring a polished yet comfortable look.
Key Design Features
Silhouette: a flattering, fitted sheath silhouette shaped by vertical princess seams on both the front and back.
Neckline: a classic, gently rounded jewel neckline, finished with facings.
Closure: an exposed separating zipper down the center front, set between the front edge and the facing, adding a modern and functional detail.
Sleeves: Short, set-in sleeves ending above the elbow.
Waist Details: Topstitched horizontal bands at the waistline on each side, laid over the side front and side back and caught into the princess seams.
Back: Defined by princess seams and a center back seam, creating a tailored fit.
Hem: Straight, knee-length hem; the faced front edges open slightly below the end of the zipper.
Level Of Difficulty
Intermediate. Involves precise construction of princess seams, attaching a separating zipper, setting sleeves, and finishing the neckline with facings.
Fabric Recommendations
Choose dress fabrics that offer structure and drape beautifully:
- Dress fabrics made from natural or blended fibers
Additional Supplies
- Fusible interfacing
- 1 separating zipper
Cutter's Must
If the patterns have a double contour, they include seam allowances. If the contour is single, the patterns do not include seam allowances. Seam allowances: Hem allowance for the bottom edge of the garment and sleeve hem – 2.0 cm. Other allowances – 1.0 cm. Attention! First, print out the paper patterns and lay them out on the fabric width (fabric width can be from 90 cm to 150 cm) to determine how much material you will need (don't forget to account for paired and symmetrical pieces). When stitching pieces, pay attention to the notches - they must match!
- From main fabric:
- Center Back – 2 pieces
- Side Back – 2 pieces
- Center Front – 2 pieces
- Side Front – 2 pieces
- Sleeve – 2 pieces
- Center Front Facing – 2 pieces
- Back Neckline Facing – 1 piece
- Waistband – 2 pieces
- From fusible interfacing:
- Center Front Facing – 2 pieces
- Back Neckline Facing – 1 piece
Sewing Instructions
- Fuse interfacing to the Center Front Facings and Back Neckline Facing.
- Fold each Waistband piece in half lengthwise, right sides together, and stitch along the long side. Turn right side out, shape and press. Topstitch 0.5–0.7 cm from the edge along both long sides.
- Stitch the side seams (Side Front to Side Back), press allowances towards the back and serge. Place a Waistband on each side panel at the marked position and baste it along the princess seam edges.
- Stitch the center back seam, press allowances to the left and serge. Stitch the back princess seams, press allowances towards the center and serge.
- Place the Center Front pieces right sides together, align the edges and check that both front edges are the same length. Stitch the separating zipper to the front edges.
- Stitch the front princess seams, press allowances towards the center and serge.
- Stitch the shoulder seams, press allowances towards the back and serge.
- Stitch the shoulder seams of the Center Front Facings and Back Neckline Facing, press allowances open. Serge the outer edge. Place the facings on the garment right sides together and stitch the front edges, the neckline and the lower corner of the front edges. Clip allowances at the curves, trim the corners and turn the facings to the inside.
- Stitch the Sleeve seams, press allowances to one side and serge. Set the sleeves into the armholes matching the notches, serge the allowances and press.
- Serge the hem allowance of the dress and sleeves, press to the wrong side and topstitch.
