Color Blocked Shift Dress with Front Bow
Presenting a chic and comfortable color-blocked shift dress, distinguished by its playful front bow detail and relaxed, easy-wear silhouette.
When To Wear
This charming shift dress is a versatile choice for:
- Casual Daytime Outings: Its relaxed fit and sleeveless design make it perfect for warm weather activities.
- Summer Gatherings: The playful bow and contrasting color blocks add a stylish touch for social events.
- Resort & Vacation Wear: An effortlessly chic option for travel and leisurely days.
Key Design Features
Silhouette: a relaxed, straight-cut shift dress designed for comfortable wear.
Neckline: Features a gentle scoop neckline, neatly finished with a clean facing.
Sleeves: Sleeveless design, with armholes also finished with a smooth facing.
Front Detail: a prominent decorative bow is stitched below the neckline, complementing the two-tone color-blocked construction of the upper and lower body sections. The upper section includes bust darts for shaping.
Back: Clean and unadorned, reflecting the color-blocked design of the front.
Hem: Sits above the knee, with the lower contrasting panel forming a neat banded hemline.
Level Of Difficulty
Intermediate. This project involves accurate seam allowances, precise facing application for the neckline & armholes, and neat construction of the decorative bow.
Fabric Recommendations
For the main dress, choose light to medium weight fabrics with a good drape that hold their shape, such as:
- Cotton dress fabrics (e.g., poplin, broadcloth, sateen)
- Linen or linen blends
- Lightweight crepe or rayon for a softer look
Additional Supplies
- Fusible interfacing
- Satin fabric for the bow
Cutter's Must
If the patterns have a double contour, they include seam allowances. If the contour is single, the patterns do not include seam allowances. Seam allowances: Hem allowance – 3 cm, other seams – 1 cm. Attention! First, print out the paper patterns and lay them out on the fabric width (fabric width can be from 90 cm to 150 cm) to determine how much material you will need (don't forget to account for paired and symmetrical pieces).
- From main fabric 1:
- Back - 1 piece
- Front - 1 piece on fold
- Back facing – 1 piece
- Front facing – 1 piece
- From main fabric 2:
- Back placket - 1 piece
- Front placket - 1 piece
- From fusible interfacing:
- Back facing – 1 piece
- Front facing – 1 piece
- From satin:
Sewing Instructions
When stitching pieces, pay attention to the notches - they must match!
- Interface the facings with fusible interfacing.
- Stitch the bust darts on the front. Press darts upwards. Topstitch 0.1 cm from the seam.
- Stitch shoulder and side seams. Overlock seams and press towards the back.
- Stitch side and shoulder edges of the facings. Overlock seams and press towards the front. Overlock the bottom edge of the facings.
- Face the neckline and armholes. Stitch a decorative topstitch along the armhole and neckline 0.1 cm from the edge. Attach the facings to the side seam allowances.
- Stitch the placket pieces. Overlock seams and press towards the back. Attach the plackets to the dress. Overlock the seam and press upwards.
- Hem the bottom of the garment by folding 1 cm, then another 2 cm, and topstitch.
- Fold the bow in half lengthwise, right sides together, and stitch the ends and the long side, leaving a 15 cm opening on the long side. Turn the bow right side out, shape it, and press. Stitch the opening closed. Attach the bow as shown in the technical drawing. Tie the ends.
