Trimmed Button-Front Dress with Patch Pockets
Introducing a sophisticated button-front dress pattern, featuring contrast 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 straight, relaxed fit that gently skims the body, offering comfort and timeless elegance.
Neckline: A graceful scoop neckline, finished with a contrasting trim for a touch of refined detail.
Closure: A full-length center front button placket, secured with six decorative buttons.
Sleeves: Three-quarter length set-in sleeves, ending with a neat trim at the cuff.
Pockets: Features two sets of patch pockets: smaller ones positioned at the chest and larger, rounded ones at the hip level, each accented with a contrasting trim.
Back: A clean back design with a central seam and subtle vertical darts for a tailored fit.
Hem: A straight hemline designed to fall above the knee for a contemporary length.
Waist: Undefined waist, with shaping provided by gentle bust and waist darts.
Level Of Difficulty
Intermediate. Involves standard garment construction techniques, including dart shaping, setting in sleeves, attaching patch pockets, and creating 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 tape (approximate length indicated on the front pattern piece)
CUTTER'S MUST
- From main fabric:
- BACK PANEL – 2 QTY
- FRONT PANEL – 2 QTY
- SLEEVE – 2 QTY
- Upper pocket – 2 QTY
- Lower pocket – 2 QTY
- TRIM STRIP – 2 QTY
Sewing Instructions
- Reinforce the TRIM STRIP with FUSIBLE INTERFACING.
- Mark and stitch the bust and waist darts on the FRONT PANEL. Press bust darts downwards, waist darts towards the center of the FRONT PANEL.
- Mark and stitch the darts on the BACK PANEL. Press darts towards the center of the BACK PANEL.
- Stitch the center back seam, press to the left side and serge.
- Press the upper SEAM ALLOWANCES of the pockets to the right side, topstitch decorative TRIM STRIP onto the upper edge of the pocket (covering the SEAM ALLOWANCE). Press the side and lower SEAM ALLOWANCES of the pockets to the wrong side. Mark the pocket placement. Topstitch the patch pockets according to the markings.
- Stitch the shoulder and side seams. Serge the seams and press towards the BACK PANEL.
- Clip and press the neckline SEAM ALLOWANCES to the right side. Place TRIM STRIP on the SEAM ALLOWANCE and topstitch. Face the front edge with the TRIM STRIP. Fold the upper SEAM ALLOWANCE of the TRIM STRIP inwards and hand stitch to the neckline with blind stitches.
- Serge the hem of the dress. Face the lower corner of the front edge with the TRIM STRIP. Fold the lower SEAM ALLOWANCE of the garment and hand stitch with blind stitches. Topstitch along the front edge.
- Turn the lower SEAM ALLOWANCE of the SLEEVE to the right side and press. Place TRIM STRIP on the SEAM ALLOWANCE and topstitch. Stitch the SLEEVE seam. Serge and press towards the back. Set the SLEEVES into the armholes. Serge the seam.
- On the right FRONT PANEL, serge buttonholes; on the left, sew on buttons.
- Tip: You can also finish the dress with a LINING. The LINING is cut according to the main garment pieces (FRONT PANEL minus the width of the TRIM STRIP).
