Kimono Sleeve Midi Dress
This made-to-measure sewing pattern features an elegant midi dress with a sleek, fitted silhouette complemented by dramatic wide kimono sleeves, perfect for sophisticated occasions.
When To Wear
The refined design and luxurious fabric make this dress suitable for a range of stylish events:
- Formal Dinners & Parties: Its elegant silhouette and flowing sleeves are ideal for evening gatherings.
- Special Occasions: a sophisticated choice for weddings, anniversaries, or celebratory events.
- Professional & Business Attire: When crafted in a suitable fabric, it can serve as a polished ensemble for upscale business meetings or functions.
Key Design Features
Silhouette: a modern sheath silhouette, fitted through the bust, waist, and hips, extending to a midi length.
Neckline: a wide, graceful boat neckline offers a sophisticated frame for the collarbone.
Sleeves: Dramatic kimono-style sleeves, wide and flowing, finishing above the elbow with a stylish decorative trim.
Waist: a defined, fitted waistline enhances the figure, creating a flattering contrast with the relaxed upper bodice.
Back: Features a center back seam with an invisible zipper closure and a functional back vent for ease of movement.
Length: a chic midi length, falling elegantly below the knee.
Level Of Difficulty
Intermediate. This pattern involves techniques such as darts, invisible zipper insertion, constructing and attaching a neckline facing, and applying decorative trim.
Fabric Recommendations
Choose elegant dress fabrics with a good drape to enhance the silhouette and sleeve movement:
- Dress fabrics made from natural or blended fibers
Additional Supplies
- Fusible interfacing
- Invisible zipper
- Decorative trim (for sleeve cuffs)
Cutter's Must
If the patterns have a double contour, seam allowances are included. If the contour is single, the patterns do not include seam allowances. Seam allowances: all seams 1 cm; hem allowance for the bottom of the garment and sleeve hem - 3.0 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 (don't forget to account for paired and symmetrical pieces). When stitching pieces, pay attention to the notches - they must match!
- From main fabric:
- Upper back - 2 pieces
- Lower back - 2 pieces
- Upper front – 1 piece on fold
- Lower front - 1 piece on fold
- Back neckline facing - 2 pieces
- Front neckline facing - 1 piece
- Sleeve – 2 pieces
- From fusible interfacing:
- Back neckline facing - 2 pieces
- Front neckline facing - 1 piece
Sewing Instructions
- Reinforce neckline facings with fusible interfacing.
- Stitch darts on back and front pieces, press allowances towards the center of the pieces. Trim the dart allowance of the upper front to 1 cm and serge.
- Stitch upper and lower back parts, press allowances upwards and serge.
- Serge the center back seam separately on each piece. Stitch the center back seam from the zipper mark to the slit mark, press allowances open. Insert the zipper. Topstitch allowances along the slit 0.2 cm from the edge.
- Stitch upper and lower front parts, press allowances upwards and serge.
- Stitch shoulder seams, press allowances towards the back and serge. Attach sleeves to the garment, press allowances towards the sleeve and serge. Stitch side seams and lower sleeve seams, press allowances towards the back and serge.
- Stitch shoulder seams of neckline facings, serge the outer edge. Place the dress with the facing right sides together, aligning neckline edges, and stitch. Clip allowances on curves, turn facing to the wrong side and press. Secure facing to shoulder seams and to the zipper tape.
- Serge the hem allowance of the dress bottom and sleeve hem, press to the wrong side and topstitch.
- Topstitch trim onto the sleeve.
