Strappy Pleated Front Sundress

Name: Strappy Pleated Front Sundress
Brand: Minerva Patterns
SKU: 5686
Price: 5.00 EUR
Availability: InStock

Pattern #5686

A below-the-knee women's sundress with a crossover V-neck bodice: the pleated right front overlaps the left front. Thin straps are made in one with the bias binding of the armholes and back neckline, and a gathered skirt is joined at a waist seam. Drafted to your own measurements. Recommended fabric: fabrics of natural or blended fibres.

Tech. Description

Strappy Pleated Front Sundress

When To Wear

Hot summer days, holidays and daytime outings.
Over a T-shirt, or with a light cardigan or denim jacket in the evening.

Key Design Features

Silhouette: Fitted bodice and a gathered skirt.

Length: Below the knee.

Neckline: V-neck formed by the two overlapping front pieces; their upper edges are turned under and topstitched. The back neckline is straight.

Front: The right front has pleats fanning towards the side seam and lies over the left front; the two are basted together at the side and lower edges. The front armholes are lightly gathered along the marked finished line.

Straps: 4 cm bias strips folded into binding that finishes the back neckline and front armholes and continues as thin straps. The strap length is adjusted at a fitting, then the straps are secured to the back.

Back: Centre back seam with a concealed zip in the bodice.

Skirt: One-piece front skirt and two-piece back skirt, gathered at the top and stitched to the bodice.

Finishing: Hem turned up 2 cm and topstitched.

Level Of Difficulty

Intermediate. Pleats on an overlapping bodice, gathers, a concealed zip and bias binding that also forms the straps.

Fabric Recommendations

Fabrics of natural or blended fibres.

Additional Supplies

Concealed zip for the centre back

Cutter's Must

From main fabric:
Back – 2 pieces
Left Front – 1 piece
Right Front – 1 piece
Back Skirt – 2 pieces
Front Skirt – 1 piece
Additionally: 2 bias strips 4 cm wide, the length shown on the pattern pieces (for binding and straps).

Sewing Instructions

Serge the upper edges of the Left Front and Right Front. Press the upper edges to the wrong side and topstitch.
Fold the pleats on the Right Front. Place the right front over the left front and baste along the lower and side edges.
Stitch the side seams of the bodice. Press the seams towards the back and serge.
Stitch the side seams of the skirt. Press the seams towards the Back Skirt and serge.
Sew a line of long, loose stitches along the upper edge of the skirt panels. Gather the edge to the length of the lower edge of the bodice, distributing the gathers evenly. Stitch the bodice to the skirt. Press the seam upwards and serge.
Serge the center back edges. Stitch the center back seam from the mark downwards. Press the seam open, pressing the zipper allowances as well.
Place the zipper under the seam allowances so that the teeth are not visible and stitch in place.
Mark the finished armhole line on the front. Sew a line of long, loose stitches along it and gather the edge to the required length.
Cut 2 bias strips 4 cm wide, about as long as indicated on the pattern pieces. Press each strip in half lengthwise, wrong sides together. Unfold and press the long edges to the center crease. Trim the seam allowance of the back neckline and front armholes and bind these edges with the bias strips, forming the straps at the same time.
Try on the sundress, adjust the length of the straps and secure them to the back.
Press the hem allowance to the wrong side, turn under and topstitch.