Plus Size Draped Knit Dress

Plus Size Draped Knit Dress

A plus-size women's sleeveless sheath dress above the knee, for stretch knit fabric with good drape. The front is draped asymmetrically: the upper front is gathered into a small yoke at the left shoulder and joined to the lower front along a curved diagonal seam, gathered on both sides, that runs from the right armhole down to the left hip.

When To Wear

• For parties, dinners and family celebrations, on its own or with a jacket.
• For the office in warm weather, with a cardigan or blazer.

Key Design Features

Silhouette: Close-fitting, following the body; the drape comes from the gathers on the front.

Length: Above the knee, hem turned up 1.5 cm and topstitched.

Neckline: Round neckline, turned under 1.5 cm and topstitched.

Front: Three pieces: a yoke at the left shoulder, an upper front gathered into the yoke seam and along the curved seam from the right armhole, and a lower front gathered along the same seam towards the side.

Sleeves: Sleeveless; armholes turned under 1.5 cm and topstitched.

Back: Two pieces with a centre back seam, no darts.

Finishing: Seams 0.8 cm, sewn with a stretch or narrow zigzag stitch or on a 3- or 4-thread overlocker; hems topstitched with a twin needle or coverstitch machine.

Level Of Difficulty

Intermediate. Gathering two edges to fit each other along a long curved seam in knit fabric; no fastenings or facings.

Fabric Recommendations

Knit fabric that drapes well, with medium to high stretch, of natural or blended fibres.

Additional Supplies

• Twin needle or coverstitch machine for the hems (no other notions required)