Fitted Dress with Princess Seams and Tab
Introducing an elegant women's sewing pattern for a fitted dress, featuring classic princess seams, three-quarter sleeves, and a distinctive pleated neckline with a decorative tab.
When To Wear
This dress offers a blend of professional elegance and modern sophistication, making it suitable for:
- Professional Settings: Ideal for office wear, business meetings, or corporate events.
- Semi-Formal Occasions: Perfect for daytime gatherings, luncheons, or smart casual events.
- Special Occasions: Suitable for celebrations where refined, understated style is desired.
Key Design Features
Silhouette: A flattering, fitted silhouette that gently skims the body, defined by elegant princess seams from the armhole to the hem.
Neckline: A high, round neckline featuring delicate pleats or gathers at the center front, accented by a decorative tab secured with two buttons.
Sleeves: Classic three-quarter length, two-piece set-in sleeves that offer a polished and comfortable fit.
Closure: An invisible zipper discreetly placed at the center back ensures a smooth finish and easy wear.
Back: Tailored with vertical princess seams extending from the shoulder blade to the hem, enhancing the garment's fitted shape.
Length: Designed to fall gracefully at or just above the knee, offering a versatile and sophisticated length.
Level Of Difficulty
Intermediate. This pattern involves skills such as constructing princess seams, setting an invisible zipper, creating pleats/gathers, and attaching a facing and decorative tab.
Fabric Recommendations
Choose dressmaking fabrics with a soft drape and moderate body, suitable for a structured yet comfortable garment:
- Dress fabrics made from natural or blended fibers
Additional Supplies
- Invisible zipper
- Fusible interfacing
- 2 decorative buttons
CUTTER'S MUST
- From main fabric:
- 1. BACK PANEL - QTY 2
- 2. FRONT PANEL - QTY 1 on fold
- 3. Back part of SLEEVE - QTY 2
- 4. Front part of SLEEVE - QTY 2
- 5. FRONT PANEL SIDE PANEL — QTY 2
- 6. BACK PANEL SIDE PANEL — QTY 2
- 7. Tab — QTY 4
- 8. BACK PANEL neckline FACING — QTY 2
- 9. FRONT PANEL neckline FACING — QTY 1
Sewing Instructions
- Fuse FUSIBLE INTERFACING to the neckline FACING pieces.
- Fold the tab pieces right sides together and stitch along the U-shape. Turn right side out and press.
- Stitch the princess seams on the BACK PANEL. Overlock SEAM ALLOWANCES and press towards the center. Overlock the center seams. Stitch the center back seam from the bottom to the NOTCH for the ZIPPER. Press SEAM ALLOWANCES open. Insert the ZIPPER.
- Stitch the princess seams on the FRONT PANEL. Overlock SEAM ALLOWANCES and press towards the center.
- On the FRONT PANEL, create and stitch the pleats from the wrong side. Insert the tab into the side pleat, directing the pleat depths towards the shoulder seam.
- Stitch the shoulder seam on the SLEEVE. Overlock SEAM ALLOWANCE and press towards the BACK PANEL. Attach the SLEEVE to the BACK PANEL, overlock SEAM ALLOWANCE and press towards the BACK PANEL. Attach the SLEEVE to the FRONT PANEL, overlock SEAM ALLOWANCE and press towards the FRONT PANEL. Overlock the bottom edge of the SLEEVE, fold inwards and topstitch.
- Stitch the neckline FACINGS, press SEAM ALLOWANCES open. Overlock the outer edge of the neckline FACING. Place the neckline FACING on the right side of the dress and stitch the neckline edge. Clip the neckline SEAM ALLOWANCES. Topstitch the SEAM ALLOWANCES to the FACING 0.2 cm from the seam. Turn the FACING to the wrong side and press. Secure the ends of the FACINGS to the ZIPPER and to the shoulder seams.
- Stitch and overlock the side seams simultaneously with the SLEEVE seam. Press SEAM ALLOWANCES towards the BACK PANEL.
- Overlock the hem of the dress. Fold SEAM ALLOWANCES inwards and topstitch.
- Sew decorative buttons onto the tabs.
