Fitted Strappy Draped Dress

Name: Fitted Strappy Draped Dress
Brand: Minerva Patterns
SKU: 5533
Price: 5.00 EUR
Availability: InStock

Pattern #5533

A women's maxi-length fitted dress on thin straps, with a bust section of four pleated draping bands interwoven and crossed at the centre front. Princess seams on the front and back, an invisible zip in the centre back seam and a lining that faces the neckline and armholes. Drafted to your own measurements. Recommended fabric: fabrics of natural or blended fibres; ready-pleated fabric can be used for the draping.

Tech. Description

Fitted Strappy Draped Dress

When To Wear

Evening events, dinners and weddings.
Summer evenings, with sandals or heeled shoes and a light wrap.

Key Design Features

Silhouette: Fitted, straight column from the bust to the hem, shaped by princess seams and darts in the side panels.

Length: Maxi length; hem overlocked, turned up and topstitched 1.5 cm from the edge.

Neckline: The top edge is formed by the draping. Four draping bands are pleated (by hand, or cut from ready-pleated fabric), their upper edges turned under and topstitched 0.5 cm from the edge, then interwoven as on the drawing and basted to the front princess seams and armholes. The draping position is checked at a fitting.

Front: One-piece centre front panel between princess seams; a slit is left in the left front princess seam and topstitched 0.5 cm from the edge.

Back: Centre back seam with an invisible zip, princess seams.

Finishing: Narrow turned-through straps sewn to the front neckline; the back ends are attached after a fitting to set the length.

Lining: Full lining cut from the back, side panel and centre front pieces; it faces the neckline, armholes and slit and is understitched 0.2 cm from the seam. The lining hem is finished separately.

Level Of Difficulty

Advanced. Pleating and interweaving the draping bands and fixing them to the bodice at a fitting, an invisible zip, and a lining used as the facing for the neckline, armholes and slit.

Fabric Recommendations

Fabrics of natural or blended fibres; ready-pleated fabric can be used for the draping.

Additional Supplies

Lining fabric
Invisible zip

Cutter's Must

From main fabric:
Back – 2 pieces
Side Part – 2 pieces
Draping – 4 pieces
Center Front – 1 piece
Straps – 2 pieces (cut to the required length; no pattern piece)
From lining fabric:
Back – 2 pieces
Side Part – 2 pieces
Center Front – 1 piece

Sewing Instructions

Tip: Check the position of the draping during a fitting.

Mark and stitch the darts on the Side Parts. Press the darts towards the back.
Overlock the lower and upper edges of the Draping. Press the upper edge of the draping to the wrong side and topstitch 0.5 cm from the edge. Stitch the lower edges of the draping pieces together up to the notch, press the seam open, pressing back the slit allowances. Topstitch along the slits 0.5 cm from the edge. Lay the pleats on the draping and secure them by hand, or use ready-pleated fabric. True up the draping against the pattern, interweave the draping pieces as shown in the technical sketch and baste the draping to the princess seam edge of the front.
Overlock, stitch and press open the princess seams on the front and back, leaving a slit in the left front princess seam.
Overlock the centre back edges. Stitch the centre back seam up to the zipper notch, press the seam open, pressing back the zipper opening allowances. Insert the zipper.
Stitch the lining pieces together, leaving a slit in the left front princess seam. Overlock the lining seams and press them towards the centre front on the front and towards the centre back on the back. Overlock the centre back edges of the lining. Overlock the lower edge of the lining, turn it up and topstitch.
Cut out 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.
Try on the dress, adjust the strap length and sew the back ends to the back.
Baste the draping to the front armhole edge and trim the draping to shape. Face the front and back neckline, the armholes and the slit in the princess seam with the lining. Understitch the seam allowance onto the lining 0.2 cm from the seam. Remove the basting. Turn under the centre back edges of the lining and stitch them to the dress seam allowances along the zipper. Topstitch along the slit 0.5 cm from the edge.
Overlock the hem of the dress, turn it up and topstitch 1.5 cm from the lower edge.