Colorblock Sheath Dress with Contour Panel Seams

Colorblock Sheath Dress with Contour Panel Seams

A women's fitted sheath dress below the knee, cut in two colours: the centre panels in one fabric, the side panels in a contrast or related shade. It has a V-neck front and back, a horizontal seam under the bust that dips to a point at the centre front, short sleeves with a slit, and a concealed zip at the centre back.

When To Wear

• At the office in spring and autumn, with a jacket or cardigan over it.
• For daytime events and dinners in warm weather, with heels.

Key Design Features

Silhouette: Close-fitting sheath shaped by princess seams on the front and back, upper and lower bodice joined by a crosswise seam.

Length: Below the knee.

Neckline: V-neck at the front and a V-neck at the back, finished with fused facings.

Sleeves: Short set-in sleeves cut in two parts (front and back) with a centre seam left open between two marks to form a slit, edge-stitched 0.2 cm from the edge.

Front: Centre front seam; the upper side panels meet below the bust in a V-shaped seam.

Closure: Concealed zip in the centre back seam.

Back: Centre back seam, princess seams and a crosswise seam at the waist.

Finishing: Hems of the dress and sleeves turned under 2 cm and topstitched.

Level Of Difficulty

Intermediate. Matching many panel seams and the V-point at the centre front, facing a V-neckline, inserting a concealed zip, sleeve slits.

Fabric Recommendations

Dress fabrics of natural or blended fibres in two related or contrasting colours.

Additional Supplies

• Fusible interfacing (neckline facings)
• Concealed zip

Cutter’s Must

From main fabric:

1. Center upper back – 2 pieces
2. Center lower back – 2 pieces
3. Center upper front – 2 pieces
4. Center lower front – 2 pieces
5. Front sleeve – 2 pieces
6. Back sleeve – 2 pieces
7. Front neckline facing – 1 piece
8. Back neckline facing – 2 pieces

From contrast main fabric:

1. Side upper back – 2 pieces
2. Side lower back – 2 pieces
3. Side upper front – 2 pieces
4. Side lower front – 2 pieces

From fusible interfacing:

1. Front neckline facing – 1 piece
2. Back neckline facing – 2 pieces

Important Information

First of all, print the paper patterns and lay them out on the fabric width (fabric width may be from 90 cm to 150 cm) in order to determine how much material you will need (do not forget to consider paired and symmetrical pieces).

When stitching pieces, pay attention to the notches – they must match.

Assembly Instructions

1. Interface the pieces with fusible interfacing.
2. Stitch princess seams of the upper back, press seam allowances toward the center and finish. Stitch princess seams of the lower back, press seam allowances toward the center and finish. Stitch upper and lower back pieces, press seam allowances upward and finish.
3. Finish separately the center edges of the back. Stitch center back seam from zipper mark to bottom, press seam allowances open. Insert zipper.
4. Stitch princess seams of the upper front, press seam allowances toward the center and finish. Stitch princess seams of the lower front, press seam allowances toward the center and finish. Stitch upper and lower front pieces, press seam allowances upward and finish.
5. Stitch center front seam, finish seam allowances and press to the left side.
6. Stitch shoulder and side seams, press seam allowances toward the back and finish.
7. Stitch shoulder seams of neckline facings, press seam allowances open. Finish outer edge. Place facing and garment right sides together and stitch neckline. Clip seam allowances on curves and corners, turn to right side, straighten and press. Secure facing to garment at shoulder seams and zipper tape.
8. Finish separately the center edges of the sleeve. Stitch sleeve center seam from upper edge to upper mark and from lower mark to bottom. Press seam allowances open. Topstitch the slit at 0.2 cm. Stitch sleeve seam, finish seam allowances and press toward the back.
9. Set sleeves into armholes. Finish seam allowances and press.
10. Finish hem of garment and sleeves, press to wrong side and topstitch.