Gathered Bow Neck Shift Dress

Halter Neck Mini Sundress with Bow Collar

A lined, above-the-knee women's halter sundress in a loose A-line shape, with the front gathered into a stand collar whose long ends tie in a bow at the side of the neck. Cut from just three pieces: front, back and collar, with an invisible zip in the left side seam.

When To Wear

• Summer days and holidays, with flat sandals.
• Summer parties and dinners, with heeled sandals and a light jacket over the bare shoulders.

Key Design Features

Silhouette: A-line, widening slightly from the armholes to the hem, without darts or a waist seam.

Length: Above the knee.

Collar: Stand collar folded in half lengthwise, cut in one with long ties; the section above the shoulders is stitched closed, the rest is sewn to the upper edges of the front and back, and the edges of the ties are topstitched 0.1 cm from the edge.

Sleeves: Sleeveless, with deep halter armholes cut in towards the neck, finished with the lining and topstitched 0.1 cm from the edge.

Front: One piece, its upper edge gathered into the collar.

Back: One piece, plain, with no centre back seam.

Closure: Invisible zip in the left side seam.

Finishing: Hems of the dress and the lining overlocked, turned up and topstitched separately.

Lining: Full lining cut from the front and back pieces and stitched to the dress at the armholes.

Level Of Difficulty

Beginner. Two side seams, a lining joined at the armholes, a gathered edge set into a folded collar and an invisible zip.

Fabric Recommendations

Dress fabrics in natural or blended fibres.

Additional Supplies

• Lining fabric
• Invisible zip

Seam Allowances

No seam allowances by default. If the option to add them at €1 is chosen, Standard seam allowances are 1.0 cm, hem allowance – 1.5 cm

Please note:

A single contour on the pattern pieces means no seam allowances are included.

A double contour indicates seam allowances are included.

Cutter's Must

From Main Fabric:

1. Back – 1 piece
2. Front – 1 piece
3. Bow Collar – 1 piece

From Lining Fabric:

For cutting lining, use main pattern pieces:

1. Back – 1 piece
2. Front – 1 piece

Important Information

Before cutting your fabric, print and lay out the paper patterns according to your fabric width (90–150 cm) to determine required yardage. Remember to account for paired and symmetrical pieces.

When sewing, pay close attention to all notches — they must match precisely to ensure correct construction and fit.

Assembly Instructions

1. Bow Collar

Press the Bow Collar lengthwise in half, right sides together, and stitch the ties and the section between the notches (above the shoulder).

Turn right side out and press.

2. Side Seams and Zipper

Overlock the seam allowances of the left side seam separately.

Stitch the left side seam from the zipper mark downward.

Press the seam allowances open.

Insert the zipper.

Stitch the right side seam.

Press the seam allowances toward the Back and overlock.

3. Lining

Assemble the lining pieces in the same manner as the main garment pieces.

Place the lining and the garment right sides together and stitch the armhole edges.

Clip the seam allowances.

Turn the dress right side out, press, and topstitch 0.1 cm from the edge.

4. Gathering

Along the upper edge of the Front, sew a row of stitching with a loosened upper thread and gather.

5. Collar Attachment

Attach the outer Bow Collar to the upper edges of the Back and Front.

Press the seam allowance of the inner collar inward and topstitch in the seam of attachment of the outer collar, continuing the topstitching 0.1 cm from the edge of the ties.

6. Hem

Overlock the lower edge of the dress and the lower edge of the lining separately.

Press the hem allowances to the wrong side and topstitch.