V-Neck Sleeveless Empire Waist Dress with Pockets
Introducing a charming sleeveless dress pattern featuring a flattering V-neck, a neatly paneled bodice, a gathered empire waist, and practical patch pockets.
When To Wear
This versatile dress is perfect for warm weather and offers comfortable style for a variety of occasions:
- Casual Everyday Wear: Ideal for daily comfort with an effortlessly chic aesthetic.
- Summer Outings & Travel: a lightweight and stylish choice for vacations, strolls, or outdoor events.
- Daytime Social Gatherings: Suitable for brunch, garden parties, or relaxed daytime events.
Key Design Features
Silhouette: a comfortable fit-and-flare silhouette defined by an empire waistline.
Neckline: a flattering V-neckline on the front bodice.
Closure: a concealed zipper closure is integrated into the center back seam.
Sleeves: Sleeveless design with neatly finished armholes, likely with bias binding.
Pockets: Features shaped patch pockets positioned on the front skirt, below the empire waist.
Back: Constructed with a paneled bodice and skirt, including a center back seam.
Hem: a gracefully flared hemline that falls to an above-knee length.
Waist: An empire waistline with subtle gathers on the front skirt panel, adding fullness and drape.
Length: Above-knee.
Level Of Difficulty
Intermediate. This pattern involves skills such as installing a concealed zipper, creating gathers, paneled construction, and finishing armholes with bias binding.
Fabric Recommendations
Choose dress fabrics made from natural or blended fibers for optimal drape and comfort:
- Dress fabrics made from natural or blended fibers
Additional Supplies
- Concealed zipper
- Fusible interfacing
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 – 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 (do not forget to account for paired and symmetrical pieces).
- From main fabric:
- Central upper back – 2 pieces
- Side upper back - 2 pieces
- Central lower back – 2 pieces
- Side lower back - 2 pieces
- Central upper front - 1 piece on fold
- Side upper front - 2 pieces
- Central lower front – 1 piece on fold
- Side lower front - 2 pieces
- Front side - 2 pieces
- Pocket bag - 2 pieces
- Front neckline facing – 1 piece
- Back neckline facing – 2 pieces
- From fusible interfacing:
- Front neckline facing – 1 piece
- Back neckline facing – 2 pieces
Sewing Instructions
When stitching pieces, pay attention to the notches - they must match!
- Fuse interfacing to the pocket opening on the side lower front and to the neckline facings. Place the pocket bag on the side lower front right sides together and stitch the pocket opening. Turn the pocket bag to the wrong side, press. Lay the side lower front onto the front side and stitch the edges of the pocket bags, overlock allowances.
- Along the upper edge of the lower front, stitch with a loosened upper thread and gather.
- Stitch the princess seams of the upper and lower back and front parts, press allowances towards the center and overlock. Stitch the upper and lower back and front parts, press allowances upwards and overlock.
- Overlock the center back edge separately on each piece. Stitch the center back edge from the mark to the bottom. Press open the allowances of the center seam, pressing the slit. Insert the zipper.
- Stitch the side and shoulder seams, 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 right side out and press. Place the binding with the armhole edge right sides together and stitch. Clip allowances. Turn the binding to the wrong side and topstitch along the fold onto the main piece. Press the seam.
- Stitch the shoulder seams of the neckline facings, press allowances open, overlock the outer edge. Place the dress with the facing right sides together, aligning the neckline edges, insert the trim between them, and stitch. Clip allowances at curves, turn the facing to the wrong side and press. Attach the facing to the shoulder seams and the zipper tape.
- Overlock the bottom edge of the dress, press to the wrong side and topstitch.
