Sleeveless Lapel Collar Dress
Introducing a women's sewing pattern for a chic sleeveless dress featuring a sophisticated lapel collar, a structured wrap-style bodice, and a gracefully flared a-line skirt.
When To Wear
This dress is designed for versatile wear, making it an ideal choice for:
- Business Professional & Office: Its structured design makes it suitable for a polished work environment.
- Cocktail Parties & Dinner Dates: An elegant choice for evening events where sophistication is key.
- Daytime Events & Smart Casual Gatherings: Versatile for brunches, garden parties, or elevated everyday wear.
Key Design Features
Silhouette: Fitted through the bodice with a defined waistline, transitioning to a gently flared a-line skirt.
Neckline & Collar: a distinctive wide, notched lapel collar creates a refined V-neckline on the wrap-style front, extending gracefully to the back.
Bodice: Features a chic wrap-style front with tailored princess seams for a flattering, contoured fit.
Sleeves: Sleeveless design with clean, finished armholes for a polished look.
Waist: a clearly defined waist seam separates the bodice from the skirt, enhancing the hourglass silhouette.
Skirt: a-line skirt, gently flared from the waist for comfortable movement and a classic, elegant silhouette.
Back: The back bodice includes princess seams and a center back seam for shaping, with the collar extending around the neckline.
Closure: a discreet hidden zipper is placed in the left side seam for a seamless finish.
Level Of Difficulty
Intermediate. Requires skills in collar and lapel construction, hidden zipper insertion, and bodice shaping.
Fabric Recommendations
Opt for dress fabrics with some body to support the collar and drape beautifully:
- Dress fabrics made from natural or blended fibers
Additional Supplies
- Fusible interfacing
- 1 hidden 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 the dress bottom – 2 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:
- Center back - 2 pieces
- Side back - 2 pieces
- Back skirt - 1 piece with fold
- Center front - 2 pieces
- Side front - 2 pieces
- Front skirt - 1 piece with fold
- Collar – 2 pieces
- Lapel – 4 pieces
- From fusible interfacing:
- Collar – 1 piece
- Lapel - 2 pieces
Sewing Instructions
- Stitch the princess seams of the upper back, press allowances towards the center and overlock. Stitch the center back seam of the upper back, press allowances to the left side and overlock.
- Stitch the shoulder seams, press allowances towards the back and overlock.
- Fold the collar pieces wrong sides together and stitch along the ends and outer edge. Trim seams at corners, clip curves. Turn collar right side out, shape and press.
- Fold the lapel pieces wrong sides together and stitch along the outer edge. Trim seams at corners, clip curves. Turn lapel right side out, shape and press.
- Place the collar and lapels with the right side of the garment and stitch. Overlock allowances and topstitch onto the main piece. Overlap the right front over the left and secure along the princess seams.
- Stitch the princess seams of the upper front, press allowances towards the center and overlock.
- Attach the back skirt to the upper, press allowances upwards and overlock. Attach the front skirt to the upper, press allowances upwards and overlock.
- Overlock the left side edges separately. Stitch the left side seam from the armhole edge to the first mark and from the second mark to the bottom, press allowances open. Insert the zipper. Stitch the right side, press allowances towards the back and overlock.
- Cut (if not ready-made) a bias binding 4 cm wide and a length equal to the armhole length + 5 cm. Fold the bias binding in half lengthwise with the right side out and press. Place the binding with the armhole edge right sides together and stitch. Clip allowances. Fold the binding to the wrong side and topstitch along the fold onto the main piece. Press the seam.
- Overlock the bottom edge of the garment, press to the wrong side and topstitch.
