Fitted Waisted Dress with Sleeves and Pockets
Introducing a sophisticated fitted dress pattern, featuring elegant bodice paneling, a defined waistband with decorative tabs, and practical curved pockets.
When To Wear
This versatile dress pattern is perfect for a range of occasions where elegance and comfort are key, including:
- Professional & Office Wear: Its tailored silhouette, modest length, and elegant design are perfect for the workplace.
- Business Casual: a polished yet comfortable option for meetings, networking, or elevated daily wear.
- Daytime Social Events: Suitable for luncheons, presentations, or stylish gatherings.
Key Design Features
Silhouette: Fitted through the bodice and waist, gently tapering to a knee-length skirt.
Neckline: V-neckline with a tailored V-shaped front yoke detail.
Sleeves: Three-quarter length set-in sleeves for a refined arm line.
Waist: Defined waist with a decorative front tab featuring two buttons.
Pockets: Practical curved on-seam pockets, subtly integrated at the hip.
Back: Clean, fitted back featuring a center back seam and waist darts for shaping.
Hem: Knee-length hem, subtly curved at the center front for ease of movement.
Closure: Concealed back zipper closure.
Level Of Difficulty
Intermediate. Requires skills in panel construction, setting sleeves, inserting a concealed zipper, and creating integrated pockets.
Fabric Recommendations
To achieve the best drape and structure for this dress, consider medium-weight fabrics with a good body:
- Dress fabrics made from natural or blended fibers
Additional Supplies
- Concealed zipper
- Fusible interfacing
- 2 buttons
Cutter's Must
If the patterns have a double contour, seam allowances are included. If the contour is single, the patterns are without seam allowances. Seam allowances: all seams 1 cm. Sleeve hem allowance – 1.5 cm. Attention! First, print out the paper patterns and lay them out on the fabric width (fabric width can be from 90cm to 150cm) to determine how much material you will need (don't forget to account for paired and symmetrical pieces).
- From main fabric:
- Upper back – 2 pieces
- Back waistband - 2 pieces
- Lower back - 2 pieces
- Lower front – 2 pieces
- Front side – 2 pieces
- Front waistband - 1 piece
- Side upper front - 2 pieces
- Central upper front – 2 pieces
- Sleeve - 2 pieces
- Pocket bag - 2 pieces
- Strap - 2 pieces
- Back neckline facing - 2 pieces
- Front neckline facing - 2 pieces
- Back hem facing - 1 piece
- Front hem facing - 2 pieces
- From fusible interfacing:
- Back neckline facing - 2 pieces
- Front neckline facing - 2 pieces
- Back hem facing - 1 piece
- Front hem facing - 2 pieces
Sewing Instructions
When stitching pieces, pay attention to the notches - they must match!
- Fuse interfacing to the designated pieces.
- Stitch darts on the back pieces, press seam allowances towards the center.
- Attach the back waistband to the upper back, press seam allowances towards the waistband and overlock. Attach the lower back to the back waistband, press seam allowances towards the waistband and overlock.
- Overlock the center back seam separately on each piece. Stitch the center back seam from the notch for the zipper to the bottom, press seam allowances open. Insert the concealed zipper.
- Stitch the center seam of the lower front from the top to the mark, press seam allowances open and overlock.
- Place the pocket bag on the lower front right sides together and stitch the pocket opening. Turn the pocket bag to the wrong side, press. Place the lower front on the side and stitch the edges of the pocket bags, overlock seam allowances. Attach the front waistband to the lower front, press seam allowances towards the waistband and overlock.
- Stitch the princess seams of the front, press seam allowances towards the center and overlock. Stitch the center front seam from the mark to the bottom, press seam allowances open and overlock. Attach the front waistband to the upper front, press seam allowances towards the waistband and overlock.
- Fold the strap in half lengthwise right sides together and stitch the long side and the protrusion. Turn right side out, shape, press. Place the strap on the front waistband and secure along the side edges.
- Stitch the shoulder and side seams, press seam allowances towards the back and overlock.
- Stitch the center seam of the front neckline facing from the mark to the bottom, press seam allowances open. Stitch the shoulder seams of the facings, press seam allowances open. Overlock the outer edge. Place the facing on the garment right sides together and stitch the back neckline, front neckline, and front opening. Turn the facing to the wrong side, shape, press. Secure the facing to the main garment at the shoulder seams and center back seam.
- Stitch the sleeve seams, press seam allowances and overlock. Set the sleeves into the armholes, press seam allowances and overlock. Overlock the sleeve hem, press to the wrong side and topstitch.
- Stitch the center seam of the front hem facing from the top to the mark, press seam allowances open. Stitch the side seams of the hem facings, press seam allowances open. Overlock the outer edge. Place the facing on the garment right sides together and stitch the back hem, front hem, and front slit. Turn the facing to the wrong side, shape, press. Hand stitch the facing to the main garment with invisible stitches.
- Sew buttons onto the straps, securing them to the front waistband.
