Keyhole Gathered Bodice Long Sleeve Midi Dress
Introducing a captivating midi dress pattern featuring a sophisticated high neck with a keyhole cutout, an elegantly gathered bodice, and flowing long sleeves.
When To Wear
This versatile dress is perfect for a range of occasions that call for refined style and comfort, making it an excellent choice for:
- Semi-Formal Events: An elegant option for dinners, cocktail parties, or sophisticated gatherings.
- Work & Professional Settings: Appropriate for the office or business meetings when styled with professional accessories.
- Everyday Elevated Style: a chic choice for outings, brunches, or daytime events where you want to make a polished statement.
Key Design Features
Silhouette: a flattering fit-and-flare silhouette, midi length, with a defined empire waistline that transitions into a gracefully flowing skirt.
Neckline & Collar: a stylish high stand collar with a distinctive keyhole opening at the center front neckline.
Bodice: The upper front bodice features elegant gathers at the empire seam, creating a soft, draped effect that enhances the bustline. The upper back bodice also includes subtle gathers.
Sleeves: Long, full sleeves gathered at the shoulder and finishing with an elasticated cuff for a comfortable, bloused effect.
Waist: a well-defined empire waistline separates the bodice from the skirt, offering a flattering and elongated look.
Back: Features a center back seam with an invisible zipper closure, extending to the neckline where the collar closes with two button loops and buttons.
Hem: a graceful midi length hem, designed to fall mid-calf.
Level Of Difficulty
Intermediate. Requires confident sewing skills, including working with gathers, inserting an invisible zipper, constructing a stand collar with button loops, and managing elasticated cuffs.
Fabric Recommendations
Choose dress fabrics with a soft drape and good body to achieve the intended silhouette and movement:
- Dress fabrics made from natural or blended fibers
Additional Supplies
- Fusible interfacing
- Invisible zipper
- Elastic tape, 1.5 cm wide
- 2 buttons
Cutter's Must
When stitching pieces, pay attention to the notches - they must match!
- From main fabric:
- Upper back - 2 pieces
- Lower back - 2 pieces
- Upper front - 1 piece on fold
- Side – 2 pieces
- Lower front – 1 piece on fold
- Collar – 1 piece
- Front neckline facing – 1 piece on fold
- Sleeve – 2 pieces
- From fusible interfacing:
- Front neckline facing – 1 piece
- Collar – 1 piece
Sewing Instructions
- Fuse interfacing to the designated pieces.
- Stitch darts on the upper back, press allowances towards the center. Along the upper back, stitch with loosened upper thread and gather. Stitch the upper and lower back parts, press allowances upwards and serge.
- Serge the center back edges separately on each piece. Stitch the center back seam from the mark to the lower edge, press allowances open. Insert the concealed zipper.
- Stitch the princess seams on the upper front, press allowances towards the center, serge. Along the lower edge of the upper front, stitch with loosened upper thread and gather. Stitch the upper and lower front parts, press allowances upwards and serge.
- Cut a bias strip 2.5 cm wide and 10 cm long for the loop. Fold the strip lengthwise in half, right sides together, and stitch 0.3 cm from the fold. Trim allowances close to the stitching, turn the strip right side out and shape the rouleau. Cut into two equal parts. Adjust loop lengths.
- Fold the collar lengthwise, right sides together, and stitch the short sides, inserting the loops. Start and end stitching strictly at the marked collar attachment line. Stitch the front neckline section between the marks. Clip allowances at the marks. Turn right side out and press.
- Serge the outer edge of the front facing. Along the front neckline, stitch with loosened upper thread and gather. Place the facing and garment right sides together and stitch the front neckline. Trim allowances to 0.5 cm, at the corner to 0.1 cm. Turn the facing to the wrong side, smooth and press. Secure pieces at shoulder seams.
- Stitch side and shoulder seams, press allowances towards the back and serge.
- Stitch the outer side of the collar to the neckline, press allowance towards the collar. Press the allowance of the inner side to the wrong side and topstitch into the collar attachment seam.
- Stitch the sleeve seam, press allowances towards the back and serge. Stitch sleeves into armholes, press allowances and serge.
- Fold the sleeve hem allowance inwards by 2 cm, then another 2 cm and topstitch, forming a casing. Adjust the length of the elastic tape, thread it through the casing and secure the ends.
- Serge the hem allowance of the dress, press to the wrong side and topstitch.
- Sew buttons onto the collar.
