Dolman Sleeve Sheath Dress
A sophisticated dress pattern combining a relaxed, elegant top with graceful dolman sleeves and a sleek, tailored skirt for a polished silhouette.
When To Wear
This versatile dress is designed for a range of occasions, offering effortless elegance for:
- Professional Settings: Ideal for office wear, business meetings, or professional networking events.
- Social Gatherings: Perfect for luncheons, evening dinners, or semi-formal events.
- Everyday Elegance: A refined choice for a polished look that transitions seamlessly from day to evening.
Key Design Features
Silhouette: A flattering combination of a relaxed, softly draped bodice transitioning to a fitted, pencil-style skirt.
Neckline: A classic jewel neckline, cleanly finished with an internal facing.
Closure: An invisible zipper is elegantly placed at the center back seam.
Sleeves: Generous, flowing dolman sleeves extend from the bodice, falling gracefully to a short length.
Back: Features a clean center back seam and a functional vent at the hem for ease of movement.
Waist: A defined horizontal seam separates the bodice from the skirt, allowing for a structured yet comfortable fit.
Length: A sophisticated knee-length hemline.
Level Of Difficulty
Intermediate. Requires skills in dart construction, invisible zipper insertion, and accurate facing application.
Fabric Recommendations
Choose well-draping dress fabrics that offer both fluidity and structure:
- Well-draping dress fabrics made from natural or blended fibers
Additional Supplies
- Fusible interfacing
- Invisible zipper
Fabric & Materials
Fabric recommendations: well-draping dress fabrics made from natural or blended fibers. ALSO NEEDED: fusible interfacing, concealed zipper.
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: all seams 1 cm; hem allowance for back and front sleeve edge – 1.5 cm; hem allowance for dress bottom – 2.0 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 (do not forget to account for paired and symmetrical pieces).
- From main fabric:
- Upper back part - 2 pieces
- Lower back part - 2 pieces
- Upper front part – 1 piece
- Lower front part - 1 piece
- Back neckline facing - 2 pieces
- Front neckline facing - 1 piece
- From fusible interfacing:
- Back neckline facing - 2 pieces
- Front neckline facing - 1 piece
Sewing Instructions
WHEN STITCHING PIECES, PAY ATTENTION TO THE NOTCHES - THEY MUST MATCH!
- Fuse interfacing to the neckline facings.
- Stitch darts on back and front pieces, press allowances towards the center of the pieces. Trim the dart allowance of the upper front part to 1 cm and serge.
- Stitch shoulder seams, press allowances towards the back and serge. Serge the sleeve edge, press to the wrong side and topstitch.
- Stitch upper and lower back parts (the edge of the upper part is shorter than the edge of the lower part by the width of the side seam), press allowances upwards and serge.
- Serge the center back edge separately on each piece. Stitch the center back edge from the zipper mark to the slit mark, press allowances open. Insert the concealed zipper. Topstitch allowances along the slit 0.2 cm from the edge.
- Stitch upper and lower front parts (the edge of the upper part is shorter than the edge of the lower part by the width of the side seam), press allowances upwards and serge.
- Stitch side seams, press allowances towards the back and serge.
- Stitch shoulder seams of neckline facings, serge the outer edge. Place the dress and facing right sides together, aligning neckline edges, and stitch. Clip allowances at curves, turn facing to the wrong side and press. Attach facing to shoulder seams and to the zipper tape.
- Serge the hem allowance of the dress, press to the wrong side and topstitch.
