Maxi Dress with Draped Neckline

Name: Maxi Dress with Draped Neckline
Brand: Minerva Patterns
SKU: 5325
Price: 5.00 EUR
Availability: InStock

Pattern #5325

A floor-length women's dress on thin straps, with princess seams front and back and a two-layer draped piece set into the front neckline that wraps around the straps and runs to the back. Concealed zip at the centre back and side slits at the hem. Drafted to your own measurements. Recommended fabric: silk or blended fabric.

Tech. Description

Maxi Dress with Draped Neckline

When To Wear

For summer evenings, weddings and formal dinners.
With heeled sandals and a light wrap or jacket.

Key Design Features

Silhouette: Close to the body through the bust, waist and hips, flaring out below the knee.

Length: Floor length, 3 cm hem allowance.

Neckline: A two-layer drape is stitched into the front neckline, falls in soft folds across the front, wraps around the straps over the shoulders and is attached at its ends to the back neckline.

Straps: Narrow turned straps sewn to the front neckline; their length is adjusted at a fitting before the back ends are stitched to the back.

Front: Centre front panel with a bust dart and side front panels joined by princess seams.

Back: Low back neckline, centre back seam and princess seams.

Closure: Concealed zip in the centre back seam.

Skirt: Slits at the lower side seams with faced corners; slit allowances held with fusible web.

Finishing: Back neckline and front armholes bound with bias binding topstitched 0.1 cm from the fold; seams overlocked.

Level Of Difficulty

Intermediate. A two-layer drape set into the neckline and wrapped around the straps, a fitting to set strap length, bias-bound edges in a slippery fabric and a concealed zip.

Fabric Recommendations

Silk or blended fabric.

Additional Supplies

Concealed zip
Bias binding
Fusible web tape (slit allowances)

Cutter's Must

From main fabric:

1. Draping – 2 pieces
2. Strap – 2 pieces
3. Middle Back – 2 pieces
4. Side Back – 2 pieces
5. Center Front – 1 piece
6. Side Front – 2 pieces

Sewing Instructions

Stitch the bust dart on the Center Front and press it downwards.
Stitch the front princess seams (Center Front to Side Front) and overlock them. Press the seams towards the centre front.
Stitch the back princess seams (Middle Back to Side Back) and overlock them. Press the seams towards the centre back.
Overlock and stitch the side seams down to the slit marks. Press the side seams open.
Press the bias binding for the back neckline and front armholes in half lengthwise, right side out. Insert the edges of the back neckline and front armholes into the folded binding and topstitch 0.1 cm from the lower fold.
Fold each Strap in half lengthwise and stitch 0.5 cm from the fold. Turn the straps right side out and press. Sew the straps to the front neckline edge.
Place the two Draping pieces together and stitch along the outer edge. Press the seam.
Stitch the upper layer of the Draping into the front neckline. Fold the Draping right sides together and stitch the outer edge from the neckline seam to the side edge of the draping. Turn the ends of the draping right side out through the open edge of the lower layer and ease the seams into place. Press the draping.
Overlock the seam allowances of the draping and the front neckline. Press the allowances towards the Center Front and topstitch 0.1 cm from the draping seam.
Overlock and stitch the centre back seam from the zip mark to the hem. Press the centre back seam open, pressing back the zip opening allowances as well. Place the zip under the opening so that the teeth do not show and stitch it in.
Try on the dress, adjust the length of the straps and sew their back ends to the back. Tuck the side seam allowances of the draping inside. Wrap the draping around the straps and secure it with a few stitches. Stitch the side edges of the draping to the back neckline.
Measure the length of the slits. Trim the hem of the dress and overlock it. Stitch across the lower corners of the slits, turn the corners right side out and ease them into shape. Fix the slit allowances to the dress with fusible web. Turn up the hem and topstitch.