Dress with Decorative Panel Seams
Fabric Recommendations
Recommended fabrics include dress materials made from natural or blended fibers.
Additional Supplies
- Fusible interfacing
- Invisible zipper
Cutter’s Must
From main fabric:
Upper back – 2 pieces
Center Lower Back – 2 pieces
Side Lower Back – 2 pieces
Center Upper Front – 1 piece
Side Upper Front – 2 pieces
Center Lower Front – 1 piece on fold
Side Lower Front – 2 pieces
Sleeves – 2 pieces
Collar – 2 pieces
From fusible interfacing:
Collar – 2 pieces
Important Information
If pattern pieces have a double outline, seam allowances are included.
If the outline is single, seam allowances are not included.
Seam allowances:
All seams – 1 cm
Hem allowance (dress and sleeves) – 2.5 cm
Before starting, print the paper pattern pieces and lay them out on the fabric width (fabric width may range from 90 cm to 150 cm) to determine the required amount of material. Do not forget to consider paired and symmetrical pieces.
When sewing, pay attention to the notches — they must match.
Sewing Instructions
- Interface the required pieces with fusible interfacing.
- Stitch darts on the upper back pieces and press toward the center. Stitch the panel seams on the lower back pieces. Finish seam allowances and press toward the center. Join the upper and lower back sections, press seam allowances upward, and finish.
- Finish the center edges of the back separately. Stitch the center back seam from the zipper mark to the hem. Press seam allowances open and insert the invisible zipper.
- Stitch darts on the upper front side panels and press upward. Attach the upper side panels to the center front panel. Finish seam allowances and press upward.
- Stitch the panel seams on the lower front section. Finish seam allowances and press toward the center.
- Join the upper and lower front sections, clipping the lower section at the corner. Press seam allowances upward and finish.
- Stitch shoulder and side seams. Press seam allowances toward the back and finish.
- Place collar pieces right sides together and stitch along the ends and outer edges. Start and finish stitching exactly at the marked attachment line. Clip curves and trim corners. Turn right side out, straighten, and press. Attach the upper collar to the neckline, clipping seam allowances and pressing them toward the collar. Fold the inner collar edge inward and stitch into the seam.
- Stitch the sleeve seams. Press seam allowances toward the back and finish. Insert sleeves into armholes, matching notches. Press seam allowances and finish.
- Finish the hem allowances of the dress and sleeves, press to the wrong side, and sew using blind stitches.