Dress with Horizontal Panel Seams
This women's dress pattern features a semi-fitted bodice, a flattering tiered skirt, and elegant three-quarter length bell sleeves, all accented with decorative trim and prominent horizontal panel seams.
When To Wear
This versatile dress is perfect for a range of occasions, offering both comfort and sophisticated style:
- Professional Settings: A chic and appropriate choice for office wear or business casual environments.
- Daytime Events: Ideal for luncheons, brunches, or garden parties, providing an elegant yet relaxed look.
- Smart Casual Gatherings: Suitable for social events where comfort meets refined, effortless style.
Key Design Features
Silhouette: Semi-fitted through the bodice, extending into a gracefully flared, two-tiered midi-length skirt.
Neckline: A classic round neckline, neatly finished with bias binding.
Closure: Features an invisible zipper closure at the center back for a seamless finish.
Sleeves: Elegant three-quarter length bell sleeves, each finished with decorative bias binding at the hem.
Body Construction: The bodice includes a center front seam, accented with applied bias binding, and shaping bust darts. The skirt is designed with two distinct horizontal tiers, and all horizontal panel seams are highlighted with decorative trim, matching the waistline.
Waist: A defined waistline created by a horizontal seam, further emphasized by decorative trim.
Hem: The midi-length skirt hem is cleanly finished with bias binding, complementing the sleeve hems.
Level Of Difficulty
Intermediate. This pattern involves skills such as invisible zipper insertion, accurate tiered panel construction, and precise application of bias binding and decorative trims.
Fabric Recommendations
Choose dress fabrics that offer a good drape for the tiered skirt while maintaining a structured feel for the bodice:
- Dress fabrics made from natural or blended fibers
Additional Supplies
- Hidden zipper
- Bias binding (approximate length as indicated on pattern)
- Decorative trim (approximate length as indicated on pattern)
Dress with Horizontal Panel Seams
Fabric Recommendations
Dress fabrics made from natural or blended fibers.
Additional Supplies
- Invisible zipper;
- Bias tape (approx. length indicated on lower front pattern piece);
- Decorative trim (approx. length indicated on lower front pattern piece).
Cutter’s Must
From main fabric:
- Upper back – 2 pieces
- Lower back – 2 pieces
- Upper front – 2 pieces
- Lower front – 1 piece on fold
- Sleeve – 2 pieces
- Cuff – 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
- Stitch darts on the upper front and upper back pieces. Trim dart intake to 1 cm, press toward the center and finish.
- Stitch upper and lower back pieces, press seam allowances upward and finish.
- Finish separately the center edges of the back. Stitch center back seam from zipper mark to bottom, press seam allowances open. Insert zipper.
- Stitch center seam of upper front, press seam allowances open and finish. Topstitch bias tape onto the seam. Stitch upper and lower front pieces, press seam allowances upward and finish.
- Stitch shoulder and side seams of the garment, press seam allowances toward the back and finish.
- Prepare bias tape for neckline finishing equal to neckline length + 4 cm. Fold and press bias tape. Attach bias tape to neckline from the wrong side and stitch. Fold to the right side and topstitch along the edge onto the main fabric.
- Attach cuff to sleeve, press seam allowances upward and finish. Topstitch bias tape onto the seam. Stitch sleeve seam, press seam allowances toward the back and finish. Set sleeves into armholes, press and finish.
- Finish the hem of the garment and cuffs with bias tape.
- Topstitch decorative trim onto the waist seam. Topstitch decoration onto lower panels according to markings.
