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. Flounce – 2 pieces
2. Strap – 2 pieces
3. Center back – 2 pieces
4. Side back – 2 pieces
5. Center front – 1 piece
6. Side front – 2 pieces

Sewing Instructions

Stitch and press the bust dart downwards on the center front.
Stitch and serge the princess seams on the front. Press the princess seams towards the center of the front.
Stitch and serge the princess seams on the back. Press towards the center of the back.
Serge and stitch the side seams up to the slit. Press the side seams open.
Press the bias binding for the back neckline and front armhole in half lengthwise, right side out. Insert the back neckline edge and front armhole edge into the prepared binding and topstitch 0.1 cm from the lower fold.
Fold the straps lengthwise and stitch 0.5 cm from the fold. Turn the straps right side out and press. Attach the straps to the front neckline edge.
Fold the flounce pieces and stitch along the outer edge. Press the flounce seam.
Stitch the upper flounce layer to the front neckline. Fold the flounce pieces right sides together and stitch the outer edge from the attaching stitch to the side edge of the flounce. Turn the flounce ends through the open edge of the lower flounce layer and straighten the seams. Press the flounce.
Serge the flounce and front neckline edges. Fold the seam allowances onto the center front and topstitch 0.1 cm from the flounce attaching seam.
Serge and stitch the center back seam from the zipper mark to the hem. Press the center back seam open, pressing the slit for the zipper. Place the zipper under the slit so that the teeth are not visible, and stitch in place.
Try on the dress, adjust the length of the straps, and attach the back ends to the back. Tuck the side seam allowances of the flounce inwards. Wrap the straps with the flounce and secure with a few stitches. Stitch the side edges of the flounce to the back neckline.
Measure the length of the slits. Trim and serge the hem of the dress. Stitch the lower corners of the slits, and turn the corners right side out, straightening them. Attach the slit seam allowances to the main pieces with fusible interfacing. Fold and topstitch the hem of the garment.