Strappy Button Front Gathered Midi Dress
This women's sewing pattern creates a charming midi dress, featuring a fitted, strappy bodice, a full button-front closure, and a gracefully gathered skirt with practical patch pockets.
When To Wear
This versatile midi dress is perfect for a range of relaxed and stylish occasions, including:
- Casual Outings: Ideal for daily wear, brunches, or strolls, offering comfort and style.
- Summer Gatherings: A breezy and chic choice for garden parties, picnics, or outdoor events.
- Vacation & Travel: Lightweight and easy to style, perfect for exploring new places or relaxing by the coast.
Key Design Features
Silhouette: A flattering midi-length dress with a fitted bodice and a gently flared, gathered skirt.
Neckline: A subtly curved sweetheart neckline for a delicate and feminine touch.
Closure: A full button-front placket extending from the bodice to the hem.
Sleeves: Delicate spaghetti straps providing a light and airy feel.
Pockets: Two generously sized rectangular patch pockets positioned on the front skirt.
Back: A straight-across back bodice with matching spaghetti straps.
Waist: An empire-style waistline where the gathered skirt attaches to the fitted bodice.
Length: A stylish midi length, falling elegantly below the knee.
Level Of Difficulty
Intermediate. Requires skills in gathering fabric, constructing a button placket, sewing patch pockets, and working with facings.
Fabric Recommendations
Choose light to medium-weight woven fabrics with good drape for a comfortable and flowing silhouette:
- Dress fabrics made from natural or blended fibers
Additional Supplies
- Fusible interfacing
- 11 buttons
A fitted dress, cut at the waistline. The bodice has princess seams on the front and back. The lower part of the dress is gathered. Center front button closure. Adjustable straps.
Fabric & Materials
Fabric recommendations: dress fabrics made of natural or blended fibers. You will also need: fusible interfacing; 11 buttons.
Cutter's Must
If the patterns have a double contour, seam allowances are included. If the contour is single, seam allowances are not included. Seam allowances: Hem allowance – 2 cm; all other seams – 1 cm. Attention! First, print out the paper patterns and lay them out on the fabric width (fabric width can be from 90 cm to 150 cm) to determine how much material you will need (don't forget to account for paired and symmetrical pieces).
- From main fabric:
- Upper center back - 2 pieces
- Upper side back - 2 pieces
- Lower back – 1 piece on fold
- Upper center front - 2 pieces
- Upper side front - 2 pieces
- Lower front – 2 pieces
- Front facing — 2 pieces
- Facing – 2 pieces
- Pocket – 2 pieces
- From fusible interfacing:
- Front facing — 2 pieces
- Facing – 2 pieces
Sewing Instructions
When stitching pieces, pay attention to the notches - they must match!
- Fuse interfacing to the designated pieces.
- 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 and overlock.
- Along the upper edge of the lower back, stitch with a loosened top thread and gather. Stitch the upper and lower parts together, press allowances upwards and overlock.
- Stitch the princess seams of the upper front, press allowances towards the center and overlock.
- Along the upper edge of the lower front, stitch with a loosened top thread and gather. Stitch the upper and lower parts together, press allowances upwards and overlock.
- Overlock the upper edge of the pocket, press inwards and topstitch. Press side and bottom allowances to the wrong side, place the pocket on the front according to markings, and topstitch.
- Stitch side seams, press allowances towards the back and overlock.
- Cut 2 straps, 4 cm wide. Press the piece lengthwise in half, right side out. Then unfold and press the raw edges towards the marked center line. Topstitch 0.1 cm from the edge.
- Stitch the center seam of the facings, press allowances open, overlock the outer edge. Attach the facing to the front facings, press allowances towards the facing and overlock, simultaneously overlocking the outer edge of the front facings.
- Place the front facings and facing with the front right sides together, insert the straps above the front princess seams, and stitch the upper edge and front edges. Clip allowances at curves, trim corners. Turn the front facing to the wrong side, straighten, press. Secure the facing to the garment at the seams.
- Overlock the hem of the garment, press to the wrong side and topstitch.
- On the right front, overlock buttonholes, on the left - sew on buttons.
- Put on the dress, adjust the length of the straps and sew them above the back princess seams. Tip: it is also possible to finish the upper edge of the garment not with a facing, but with the main fabric. In this case, pieces 1, 2, 4, and 5 are cut in double quantity, and the allowance of the upper edge is reinforced with fusible interfacing.
