Panelled Sweatshirt Dress
Introducing a comfortable yet stylish women's dress pattern, distinguished by its intricate panel construction on both the front and back for a structured yet relaxed fit.
When To Wear
This versatile dress is perfect for a range of occasions, offering both comfort and contemporary style:
- Casual Everyday: Ideal for daily wear, errands, or relaxed outings due to its comfortable fit and knit fabric.
- Smart-Casual Workwear: Can be dressed up with accessories and boots for a polished yet comfortable office look.
- Weekend Lounging: a chic and cozy choice for relaxed weekends at home or out with friends.
Key Design Features
Silhouette: a relaxed, straight-cut silhouette with subtle shaping from the vertical body panels, falling to just above the knee.
Neckline: Classic crew neck, finished with a comfortable neckband for a clean, simple look.
Sleeves: Long, dropped-shoulder sleeves, gathered into broad, comfortable cuffs for an athleisure-inspired finish.
Front: Features a distinctive V-shaped yoke with a horizontal seam below, flowing into multiple vertical body panels for tailored definition and visual interest.
Back: Constructed with a horizontal yoke and multiple vertical panels that echo the front design, ensuring a cohesive and flattering fit.
Hem: Straight hemline, designed to sit just above the knee for a modern length.
Closure: Pullover style, designed for ease and comfort without fasteners.
Level Of Difficulty
Intermediate. Requires familiarity with sewing knit fabrics, precise panel construction, and attaching cuffs and neckbands with attention to detail.
Fabric Recommendations
Select knit fabrics that offer comfort and a stable drape, such as:
- Non-fraying knit fabrics with low stretch
- Natural or blended fiber knits
Additional Supplies
Cutter's Must
When stitching pieces, pay attention to the notches - they must match!
- From main fabric:
- Back yoke - 1 piece on fold
- Back center upper - 1 piece on fold
- Back center lower - 1 piece on fold
- Back side - 2 pieces
- Front yoke - 1 piece on fold
- Front center upper - 1 piece on fold
- Front center lower - 1 piece on fold
- Front middle - 2 pieces
- Front side - 2 pieces
- Sleeve – 2 pieces
- Cuff – 2 pieces
- Collar stand – 1 piece
- From fusible interfacing:
- Cuff – 2 pieces
- Collar stand – 1 piece
Tip: Knit fabric pieces are stitched with a special elastic or narrow zigzag stitch. When serging, trim seam allowances to 0.8 cm. The hem allowance is topstitched with a twin needle or on a coverstitch machine to maintain elasticity. You can also stitch pieces directly on a 3- or 4-thread overlock machine.
Sewing Instructions
- Fuse interfacing to the designated pieces.
- Fold the upper and lower back center parts wrong sides together and stitch. Press seam allowances. Stitch the back princess seams, folding pieces wrong sides together. Press seam allowances. Attach the yoke to the back, folding pieces wrong sides together. Press seam allowances.
- Fold the upper and lower front center parts wrong sides together and stitch. Press seam allowances. Stitch the front princess seams, folding pieces wrong sides together. Press seam allowances. Attach the yoke to the front, folding pieces wrong sides together. Press seam allowances.
- Stitch shoulder seams, press seam allowances towards the back and serge.
- Stitch the collar stand into a loop, press seam allowances open. Fold the collar stand in half lengthwise, right side out, and press. Attach the collar stand to the neckline, stretching it slightly, press seam allowances towards the garment, serge, and topstitch along the seam onto the main piece.
- Attach the sleeve to the main garment, folding pieces wrong sides together. Press seam allowances.
- Stitch sleeve seams and side seams in one continuous seam, press seam allowances towards the back, serge.
- Stitch the cuff into a loop, press seam allowances open. Fold the cuff in half lengthwise, right side out, and press. Attach the cuff to the bottom of the sleeve, stretching it slightly, press seam allowances upwards and serge.
- Serge the bottom edge of the garment, press to the wrong side, and topstitch.
Tip: you can use ready-made ribbed knit collar stand and cuffs of the desired width.
