Trimmed Button-Front Dress with Patch Pockets
Introducing a sophisticated button-front dress pattern, featuring decorative braid trim details and practical patch pockets for a chic yet functional garment.
When To Wear
This dress is a versatile choice for various occasions, including:
- Smart Casual Outings: The relaxed yet polished design makes it perfect for daytime events or brunches.
- Professional Settings: Its structured silhouette and button-front closure are suitable for office wear or business meetings.
- Transitional Seasons: The three-quarter sleeves and adaptable fabric choices make it ideal for spring or autumn.
Key Design Features
Silhouette: a semi-fitted, straight silhouette shaped with darts, offering comfort and timeless elegance.
Neckline: a graceful scoop neckline, edged with decorative elastic braid for a touch of refined detail.
Closure: a center front placket running the full length of the dress, fastened with six buttons and buttonholes.
Sleeves: Three-quarter length set-in sleeves, edged with decorative braid at the hem.
Pockets: Two pairs of patch pockets with rounded lower corners: smaller ones at the chest and larger ones at hip level, each topped with decorative braid.
Back: a clean back design with a center back seam and vertical darts for a tailored fit.
Hem: a straight hemline falling around the knee.
Waist: No waist seam; shaping is provided by bust and waist darts.
Level Of Difficulty
Intermediate. Involves standard garment construction techniques, including dart shaping, applying braid trim, setting in sleeves, attaching patch pockets, and making buttonholes.
Fabric Recommendations
Choose dressmaking fabrics with some body and drape, such as:
- Dress fabrics made from natural or blended fibers
- Tweed
- Linen blends
- Gabardine
Additional Supplies
- 6 buttons
- Fusible interfacing
- Decorative elastic braid (approximate length indicated on the front pattern piece)
Cutter's Must
- From main fabric:
- Back – 2 pieces
- Front – 2 pieces
- Sleeve – 2 pieces
- Upper Pocket – 2 pieces
- Lower Pocket – 2 pieces
- Placket – 2 pieces
- From fusible interfacing: Placket
Sewing Instructions
- Fuse interfacing to the Placket pieces.
- Mark and stitch the bust and waist darts on the front. Press the bust darts downwards and the waist darts towards the center front.
- Mark and stitch the darts on the back. Press the darts towards the center back.
- Stitch the center back seam, press it to the left side and serge.
- Press the upper allowance of each pocket to the right side and topstitch the decorative braid over the upper edge of the pocket, covering the allowance. Press the side and lower allowances of the pockets to the wrong side. Mark the pocket placement and topstitch the patch pockets in place.
- Stitch the shoulder and side seams. Serge the seams and press them towards the back.
- Clip the neckline allowance and press it to the right side. Place the braid over the allowance and topstitch. Face the front edges with the Placket. Fold the upper allowance of the Placket inwards and slipstitch it to the neckline.
- Serge the hem of the dress. Stitch the Placket across the lower corner of the front edge. Turn up the hem allowance and hand stitch with blind stitches. Topstitch along the front edges.
- Turn the hem allowance of the sleeve to the right side and press. Place the braid over the allowance and topstitch. Stitch the sleeve seam, serge and press towards the back. Set the sleeves into the armholes and serge the seam.
- Work buttonholes on the right front and sew buttons on the left front.
- Tip: You can also line the dress. The lining is cut from the main pattern pieces (the front minus the width of the Placket).
