Dolman Sleeve Dress with Pleated Skirt

Dolman Sleeve Dress with Pleated Skirt

A women's knit dress to about knee length with long dolman sleeves set into deep, open armholes, a round neckline and a front waist seam. The lower front has free-form pleats folded on the left side of the seam, falling in diagonal drapes across the skirt.

When To Wear

• Autumn and winter workdays, with tights and boots or court shoes.
• Dinners and family occasions, with a belt or simple jewellery.

Key Design Features

Silhouette: Loose through the shoulders and sleeves, closer-fitting from the waist down.

Length: About knee length.

Neckline: Round, overlocked, turned to the inside and topstitched; no facing or binding.

Sleeves: Long dolman sleeves, wide at the top and narrowing to the wrist. They are sewn into deep armholes while the side seams are still open, then the side and underarm seams are closed in one pass.

Waist: Horizontal seam on the front only, joining the upper and lower front; seam pressed up.

Skirt: Free-form pleats folded along the upper edge of the lower front on the left side and held 0.5 cm from the edge; the back is plain.

Back: Two pieces cut full length, joined by a centre back seam; no waist seam.

Finishing: Seams sewn with an elastic or narrow zigzag stitch, or on a 3- or 4-thread overlocker; dress and sleeve hems turned up and topstitched with a twin needle. No fastening: pulls on over the head.

Level Of Difficulty

Beginner. Few pieces and straight knit seams; the only detail needing care is arranging the free-form pleats on the lower front.

Fabric Recommendations

Knit fabric with low or medium stretch, in natural or blended fibres.

Additional Supplies

• Twin needle for hemming