Sleeveless Lapel Pleated Midi Dress
Introducing a sophisticated sleeveless midi dress pattern, distinguished by its elegant lapel collar, fitted bodice, and a voluminous pleated skirt.
When To Wear
This versatile midi dress is perfect for various occasions, offering polished style for:
- Formal Business & Professional Settings: Its structured lapel and midi length offer a refined and authoritative presence.
- Special Occasions & Events: Ideal for luncheons, gallery openings, or semi-formal gatherings where understated elegance is key.
- Date Nights & Evening Wear: A sophisticated choice that balances classic charm with modern appeal.
Key Design Features
Silhouette: A-line, with a tailored, fitted bodice that transitions into a full, gracefully pleated skirt.
Neckline & Collar: Features a deep V-neckline with prominent, sharply pointed notched lapels, extending into a high stand collar at the back.
Closure: A single decorative button at the front waist seam secures the wrap-style bodice, complemented by a concealed zipper closure at the center back.
Sleeves: Sleeveless design, providing a clean and contemporary shoulder line.
Back: Designed with a clean, high stand collar, a center back seam housing a concealed zipper, and structured pleats on the skirt mirroring the front.
Waist: Defined waistline with a fixed waistband that visually cinches the silhouette.
Length: Midi length skirt, falling elegantly below the knee.
Skirt: A voluminous A-line skirt constructed with deep, structured pleats, creating graceful movement and fullness.
Level Of Difficulty
Intermediate. Requires precise sewing for dart construction, lapel and collar shaping, setting a concealed zipper, and accurate pleat formation.
Fabric Recommendations
Opt for soft dress fabrics that offer beautiful drape and structure for the pleats:
- Soft dress fabrics made from natural or blended fibers
Additional Supplies
- Fusible interlining
- Concealed zipper
- 1 decorative button
Fabric & Materials
Fabric recommendations: soft dress fabrics made from natural or blended fibers. YOU WILL ALSO NEED: fusible interfacing, concealed zipper, decorative button. IF THE PATTERNS HAVE A DOUBLE CONTOUR, THE PATTERNS INCLUDE SEAM ALLOWANCES; IF THE CONTOUR IS SINGLE, THE PATTERNS DO NOT INCLUDE SEAM ALLOWANCES. SEAM ALLOWANCES: hem allowance - 2.0 cm, all other seams 1 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. WHEN STITCHING PIECES, PAY ATTENTION TO THE NOTCHES - THEY MUST MATCH!
CUTTER'S MUST
- From main fabric:
- Upper back part – 2 pieces
- Back waistband — 2 pieces
- Lower back part — 2 pieces
- Upper front part — 2 pieces
- Front waistband — 1 piece
- Lower front part — 1 piece on fold
- Front facing — 2 pieces
- Back neckline facing – 1 piece
- From fusible interfacing:
- Front facing — 2 pieces
- Back neckline facing – 1 piece
Sewing Instructions
- Fuse interfacing to the designated pieces.
- Stitch darts on the upper back pieces, press allowances towards the center. Attach the back waistband to the upper part, press allowances towards the waistband and overcast.
- Form and secure inverted pleats on the lower back piece. Stitch the upper and lower back parts together, press allowances upwards and overcast.
- Overcast the center back edges separately on each piece. Stitch the center back neckline from the first mark to the second mark, and from the second mark to the bottom, press allowances open. Insert the concealed zipper.
- Stitch darts on the upper front pieces, press allowances towards the center, trim to 1 cm and overcast.
- Stitch shoulder seams, clipping the shoulder seam allowance on the front, press allowances towards the back and overcast. Stitch the collar seam, press allowances open. Attach the collar to the back neckline, press allowances towards the collar.
- Stitch, clip at the corner, and press open the shoulder seams of the back neckline facing and front facings. Stitch the collar seam, press allowances open. Attach the collar to the facing neckline, press allowances towards the collar. Overcast the outer edge of the front facings and facing.
- Place the front facings and facing on the front, right sides together, and stitch the front edges and collar edge. Clip allowances at curves, trim at corners, turn the collar to the right side, straighten seams, and press. Secure the collar attachment allowances together. Overlap the right front over the left and secure at the lower edge.
- Attach the front waistband to the upper part, press allowances towards the waistband and overcast.
- Form and secure inverted pleats on the lower front piece. Stitch the upper and lower front parts together, press allowances upwards and overcast.
- Cut a bias binding 4 cm wide and a length equal to the armhole length + 4 cm. Fold the bias binding in half lengthwise, right side out, and press. Place the binding on the armhole edge from the right side, extending the ends, and stitch. Fold the binding to the wrong side, clip the seams, and topstitch along the fold onto the main piece. Press the seam.
- Stitch side seams, press allowances towards the back and overcast.
- Overcast the bottom edge of the garment, press to the wrong side and topstitch.
- Sew a decorative button onto the front waistband.
