Paneled Strap Maxi Dress with Flared Hem
Introducing a captivating women's sewing pattern for a paneled strap dress, featuring a sculpted, paneled bodice, a distinct shaped high waistband, and a slim long skirt finished with a flared hem panel.
When To Wear
This elegant dress is versatile for various occasions, making it a perfect choice for:
- Warm Weather Events: Ideal for garden parties, outdoor gatherings, and summer celebrations.
- Resort & Vacation Wear: Perfect for stylish daytime wear or evening strolls in picturesque settings.
- Semi-Formal Gatherings: a chic option for brunch, luncheons, or elevated casual events.
Key Design Features
Silhouette: a slim column silhouette, fitted through the bodice and body, flaring out at the lower legs into a trumpet-style hem.
Neckline: a softly rounded scoop neckline at the front and back, finished with the lining.
Straps: Delicate spaghetti straps offering a light and airy feel; their length is adjusted at a fitting.
Bodice: Paneled bodice with a centre front seam and side panels for a sculpted, close-fitting shape; fully lined.
Waist: a distinct, shaped high waistband set under the bust, joining the bodice to the skirt.
Skirt: Slim skirt with a centre front seam and waist darts, finished at the bottom with a separate curved, flared hem panel (gore) at the front and back that adds fullness and beautiful movement.
Back: a clean back design with a centre back seam and invisible zipper closure.
Closure: An invisible zipper positioned at the centre back seam for a seamless and discreet finish.
Length: An elegant long length, falling well below the knee.
Level Of Difficulty
Intermediate. Requires attention to detail for precise panel matching, stitching curved seams, invisible zipper insertion, and lining the bodice and skirt.
Fabric Recommendations
Select lightweight to medium-weight fabrics with good drape to achieve the flowing silhouette:
- Natural or blended fiber fabrics (e.g., linen blends, cotton sateen, viscose, crepe, silk satin)
Additional Supplies
- Invisible zipper, 25 cm long
- Bias binding
- Lining fabric
Cutting Plan
- From main fabric:
- Center Upper Front – 2 pieces
- Upper Side Back – 2 pieces
- Side Upper Front – 2 pieces
- Center Upper Back – 2 pieces
- Front Skirt – 2 pieces
- Back Skirt – 2 pieces
- Front Skirt Gore – 1 piece
- Back Skirt Gore – 1 piece
- Shaped Front Waistband – 1 piece
- Shaped Back Waistband – 2 pieces
- Straps – 2 pieces (cut to the required length; no pattern piece)
- From lining fabric:
- Center Upper Front – 1 piece
- Side Upper Front – 2 pieces
- Upper Side Back – 2 pieces
- Center Upper Back – 2 pieces
- Back Skirt – 2 pieces
- Front Skirt – 1 piece
Sewing Instructions
- Mark and stitch the waist darts on the Front Skirt and Back Skirt. Press the darts on the front skirt towards the centre front and on the back skirt towards the centre back.
- Overlock the centre edge of the Center Upper Front. Stitch the centre front seam and press it open. Stitch the Side Upper Front to the Center Upper Front. Overlock the seam and press it towards the centre piece.
- Overlock the centre edges of the Front Skirt, stitch the centre front seam and press it open. Stitch the Shaped Front Waistband to the Front Skirt. Overlock the seam and press it downwards. Stitch the front bodice to the upper edge of the waistband. Overlock the seam and press it towards the waistband. Stitch the Front Skirt Gore to the Front Skirt. Overlock the seam and press it towards the gore.
- Stitch the Upper Side Back to the Center Upper Back. Overlock the seam and press it towards the Center Upper Back. Stitch the Shaped Back Waistband to the Back Skirt. Overlock the seam and press it towards the back skirt. Stitch the back bodice to the upper edge of the waistband. Overlock the seam and press it towards the waistband.
- Overlock the centre back edges and stitch the centre back seam up to the zipper notch. Press the seam open, pressing back the zipper opening allowances. Insert the invisible zipper. Stitch the Back Skirt Gore to the Back Skirt. Overlock the seam and press it towards the gore.
- Cut out the straps. Fold each strap 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.
- Overlock the side edges. Stitch the side seams of the dress and press them open.
- Mark and stitch the waist darts on the front and back skirt lining. Press the front lining darts towards the centre front and the back lining darts towards the centre back. Stitch the lining pieces together. Overlock the seams and press them towards the back. Overlock the lower edge of the lining, press it to the wrong side and topstitch.
- Place the lining and the dress right sides together and stitch around the armholes and the neckline of the front and back, keeping the straps in place. Understitch the neckline and armhole seam allowances onto the lining 0.2 cm from the seam. Turn under the centre back edges of the lining and stitch them to the dress seam allowances along the zipper.
- Try on the dress, adjust the strap length and sew the back ends to the back.
- Overlock the hem of the dress, turn it up and topstitch 0.5 cm from the lower edge.
