Cowl Neck Drawstring Dress Flap Pockets
Introducing a versatile women's dress pattern featuring a soft cowl neckline, short sleeves with shoulder tabs, a comfortable drawstring waist, and practical flap pockets.
When To Wear
This stylish dress is designed for effortless comfort and chic appeal, making it an ideal choice for:
- Casual Daywear: Perfect for everyday outings, offering both comfort and a polished look.
- Relaxed Gatherings: Suitable for brunches, family events, or informal social occasions.
- Travel & Leisure: An excellent option for comfortable yet fashionable attire while traveling or during leisure activities.
Key Design Features
Silhouette: a relaxed-fit bodice gently blousing over an adjustable drawstring waist, flowing into a straight, comfortable skirt.
Neckline: a gracefully draped cowl neckline creates a soft and flattering focal point.
Sleeves: Short, cap-style sleeves are accented with decorative shoulder tabs, each secured with a button.
Waist: An integrated drawstring casing cinches the waist, allowing for adjustable comfort and a customizable fit, tied elegantly at the front.
Pockets: Two prominent patch pockets with functional buttoned flaps are situated on the front skirt, adding utility and a touch of utility-chic style.
Back: a clean, unadorned back panel with the continuous drawstring casing defining the waistline.
Length: a practical and flattering knee-length hemline.
Level Of Difficulty
Intermediate. This pattern requires experience with knit fabrics, precise construction of buttoned flaps and shoulder tabs, and creating a drawstring casing.
Fabric Recommendations
Choose well-draping knit fabrics with medium stretch, made from natural or blended fibers, to achieve the desired drape and comfort:
- Knit fabrics (e.g., jersey, interlock, modal knits)
Additional Supplies
- 3 cm wide twill tape (length specified on front pattern piece)
- 4 buttons
- Elastic thread
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 and neckline allowance for back and front – 1.5 cm, drawstring casing contour – 0 cm, top edge of pocket – 2 cm, other edges of pocket and flap – 1 cm, other seams 0.8 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. When stitching pieces, pay attention to the notches - they must match! Inscriptions on the patterns are on the right side!
- From main fabric:
- Back – 2 pieces
- Front – 1 piece on fold
- Cuff – 2 pieces
- Shoulder tab – 4 pieces
- Flap – 4 pieces
- Pocket – 2 pieces
- Drawstring casing – 1 piece
Tip: Knit fabric pieces are stitched with a special elastic or narrow zigzag stitch. 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 overlocker.
Sewing Instructions
- Stitch the center back seam. Press seam allowances to the left side and overlock.
- Form a box pleat on the pockets and secure the depths together. Press the top allowance of the pockets to the wrong side, fold under, and topstitch. Press the side and bottom allowances of the pockets to the wrong side. Place pockets on the front according to markings and topstitch.
- Interface the buttonhole area on the outer flaps. Place flap pieces right sides together and stitch around, leaving a short edge open. Trim corner allowances of flaps and turn right side out. Straighten seams and press, topstitch 0.7 cm from the edge. Overlock the raw edge of the flaps, overlock buttonholes. Attach flaps to the front, turn down, and topstitch. Sew buttons on pockets according to buttonholes.
- Stitch shoulder and side seams, press allowances towards the back and overlock.
- Press short edges of drawstring casing 3 cm, long edges of drawstring casing 1 cm to the wrong side, place casing on the front and topstitch according to markings, slightly stretching the bottom side of the casing.
- Place shoulder tab pieces right sides together and stitch around, leaving a short edge open. Trim corner allowances and turn right side out. Straighten seams and press, topstitch 0.1 cm from the edge.
- From the mark on the shoulder seam to the bottom of the sleeve, stitch with elastic thread.
- Stitch cuffs into a loop. Turn pieces right side out, fold lengthwise in half right side out and press. Attach cuffs to the sleeve, placing the shoulder tab pieces underneath. Press the seam. Turn the shoulder tab to the right side and sew on a button.
- Overlock the bottom edge of the garment and neckline edges. Press to the wrong side and topstitch.
- Fold the ends of the twill tape twice by 0.5 cm and topstitch. Thread the tape through the drawstring casing.
