Plunge Bodice Ruched Dress with Bow Drawstrings

Name: Plunge Bodice Ruched Dress with Bow Drawstrings
Brand: Minerva Patterns
SKU: 5526
Price: 5.00 EUR
Availability: InStock

Pattern #5526

A knee-length women's fitted dress for stretch woven or knit fabric, on wide straps. The bodice has gathered cups edged with doubled trim bands that cross over at the centre front; drawstring casings in the side seams ruche the dress from under the bust to the hips, and the cords tie in bows at the sides. Drafted to your own measurements. Recommended fabric: fabrics of natural or blended fibres with added elastane; knit fabrics.

Tech. Description

Plunge Bodice Ruched Dress with Bow Drawstrings

When To Wear

Summer parties, dinners and evening dates.
Warm days and holidays, with sandals or heeled shoes.

Key Design Features

Silhouette: Close-fitting from the bust to the hips, straight below; the length of the ruched section is set by how far the side drawstrings are pulled up.

Length: Knee length; hem overlocked, turned under and topstitched.

Neckline: Two upper fronts, gathered along the lower edge, form the cups. Each is edged top and bottom by a doubled trim band; the bands are interlaced at the centre front as on the drawing and stitched to the lower front, whose raised centre edge is overlocked, turned under and topstitched. The back neckline is straight, overlocked, turned under and topstitched.

Sleeves: Sleeveless, on turned-through fabric straps sewn to the front neckline and fixed at the back after a fitting; armholes overlocked, turned under and topstitched.

Back: Upper back joined to a lower back in two halves; centre back seam with an invisible zip.

Finishing: Side seam allowances of 1.5 cm are pressed open and topstitched 0.9 cm from the seam to form casings; cords are threaded through buttonholes and drawn up to ruche the front and back.

Level Of Difficulty

Intermediate. Interlacing and stitching the doubled trim bands over gathered cups, drawstring casings made from the side seam allowances, and an invisible zip in stretch fabric.

Fabric Recommendations

Fabrics of natural or blended fibres with added elastane; knit fabrics.

Additional Supplies

Invisible zip
Cord for the drawstrings

Cutter's Must

From main fabric:
Upper Back – 2 pieces
Lower Back – 2 pieces
Lower Front – 1 piece
Upper Front – 2 pieces
Front Trimming – 4 pieces
Straps – 2 strips (cut to the required length and width, no pattern piece)

Sewing Instructions

Sew a line of loose-tension stitches along the lower edge of the Upper Front pieces. Draw up the gathers.
Overlock the upper, most projecting edge of the Lower Front. Turn the overlocked edge under and topstitch.
Place the Front Trimming pieces together in pairs and stitch the lower edge of each trim between the notches. Press the seam. Attach the trim to the upper edge of the Upper Front and press the seam allowance towards the trim. Stitch the upper edge of the trim. Press the trim. Attach the trim to the lower edge of the Upper Front. Press the seam. Close the opening left in the center of the trim by hand. Following the technical drawing, interlace the trims and attach them to the Lower Front. Press under the lower edge of the inner layer of the trim. Topstitch the trim to the Upper Front.
Attach the Upper Back to the Lower Back. Overlock the seam and press it towards the lower back.
Overlock and stitch the side seams. Press the side seams open. Make buttonholes for the drawstring casings. Topstitch along the side seams 0.9 cm from the seam to form the casings, then thread the drawstring cord through.
Overlock the front and back armhole edges and the back neckline edge. Turn the overlocked edges under and topstitch them to the dress.
Overlock the center back edges. Stitch the center back seam up to the zipper notch. Press the center back seam open and press the zipper opening allowances. Insert the invisible zipper.
Cut the straps. Fold each strap lengthwise, right sides together, and stitch 0.5 cm from the fold. Turn the straps right side out and press. Sew the straps to the front neckline edge.
Try on the dress, adjust the length of the straps, and sew their back ends to the back.
Overlock the lower edge of the dress, press to the wrong side, and topstitch.