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#5831
#5833

Gathered Empire Waist Dress

Pattern #5832

This women's sewing pattern creates a flowing empire waist dress, drafted to your own measurements. It features an elegantly gathered neckline and a soft, relaxed silhouette, making it an excellent choice for casual outings, summer holidays, or daytime events. For a comfortable and flowing silhouette, choose lightweight, draping fabrics such as thin, draping fabrics made from natural or blended fibers.

Tech. Description

Gathered Empire Waist Dress

Introducing a women's sewing pattern for a flowing empire waist dress, characterized by its elegantly gathered neckline and soft, relaxed silhouette.

When To Wear

This dress is perfect for warm weather and relaxed occasions, making it an excellent choice for:

  • Casual Outings: Ideal for comfortable everyday wear, offering ease and style.
  • Summer Holidays: Perfect for beach strolls, resort relaxation, or warm-weather travels.
  • Daytime Events: Suitable for garden parties, brunches, or casual gatherings where comfort meets charm.

Key Design Features

Silhouette: Relaxed a-line silhouette, softly flowing from the high empire waist.

Neckline: Gently gathered scoop neckline, providing a comfortable and flattering fit.

Sleeves: Sleeveless design with wide shoulders; the armholes are faced with the lining.

Waist: High empire line created without a seam: elastic tape (or elastic thread) is stitched to the wrong side of the front along the marked line, gathering the fabric for soft volume and drape.

Closure: Invisible zipper located at the center back seam for a clean finish.

Back: Clean back with a center back seam; the dress is fully lined.

Length: Above-knee length for a playful and breezy feel.

Level Of Difficulty

Intermediate. Requires skills in invisible zipper installation, working with lining fabric, and gathering techniques.

Fabric Recommendations

Choose lightweight, draping fabrics that will enhance the dress's flow and comfort:

  • Thin, draping fabrics made from natural or blended fibers

Additional Supplies

  • Invisible zipper
  • Lining fabric
  • 0.5 cm wide elastic tape or elastic thread

Cutter's Must

  • From main fabric:
    • Back – 2 pieces
    • Front – 1 piece on fold
  • From lining fabric:
    • Back Lining – 2 pieces
    • Front Lining – 1 piece

Sewing Instructions

  1. Overlock the center back edges. Stitch the center back seam from the mark downwards. Press the seam open, also pressing the zipper allowances.
  2. Place the zipper under the seam allowances so that the teeth are not visible and stitch in place.
  3. Along the neckline edge of the Front, stitch with loose stitches. Gather the neckline to the required length.
  4. Stitch and overlock the side and shoulder seams of the dress. Press the shoulder and side seams towards the back.
  5. On the wrong side of the front, along the marked line, stitch on elastic tape of the desired length, or stitch using elastic thread.
  6. Stitch the darts on the Back Lining and Front Lining; press the back darts towards the center and the front darts upwards. Stitch the shoulder and side seams of the lining and the center back seam of the Back Lining from the mark downwards; press the seams open. Place the lining right sides together with the garment and stitch along the neckline edge of the front and back. Stitch the armholes in two steps: first the upper armhole edge, then the lower armhole edge. Understitch the seam allowances to the lining 0.2 cm from the seam. Turn the lining to the wrong side and press. Stitch the center back seam allowances of the lining to the zipper tape.
  7. Press the 2 cm hem allowances of the dress and lining to the wrong side, turn the raw edge under and topstitch.

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