Sheath Dress With Button Tabs
A classic sheath dress sewing pattern, featuring a sophisticated silhouette accentuated by decorative button tabs at the front waist and a subtle back gather.
When To Wear
This versatile dress is designed for a range of settings, making it an ideal choice for:
- Everyday Professional Wear: Its refined yet comfortable design is perfect for office settings and business casual environments.
- Smart Casual Gatherings: Easily adaptable for brunches, lunches, or relaxed social events.
- Elegant Daytime Events: An ideal choice for receptions, garden parties, or special daytime occasions.
Key Design Features
Silhouette: a classic sheath silhouette, gently fitted through the bodice and waist for a flattering shape.
Neckline: a simple, high round neckline offering a timeless appeal.
Sleeves: Short, straight set-in sleeves, providing modest coverage.
Waist Detailing (Front): Two horizontal button tabs placed symmetrically at the front waist, each adorned with two buttons, creating a distinctive and subtly cinched accent.
Back: Features a clean design with a center back invisible zipper and a subtly gathered detail at the waist for comfortable shaping.
Length: a timeless knee-length hem, suitable for various occasions.
Level Of Difficulty
Intermediate. Requires skills in dart construction, invisible zipper insertion, neckline facing, set-in sleeves, and creating buttonholes for the decorative tabs.
Fabric Recommendations
Choose dress fabrics with good drape and structure, offering both comfort and a polished look:
- Dress fabrics made from natural or blended fibers with added elastane
Additional Supplies
- Fusible interfacing
- Invisible zipper
- 4 buttons
Cutter's Must
- From main fabric:
- Back - 2 pieces
- Front - 1 piece on fold
- Sleeve - 2 pieces
- Belt - 2 pieces on fold
- Front neckline facing - 1 piece
- Back neckline facing - 2 pieces
- From fusible interfacing:
- Front neckline facing - 1 piece
- Back neckline facing - 2 pieces
- Belt - 1 piece
Sewing Instructions
- Fuse interfacing to the designated pieces.
- Stitch darts on the back pieces. Serge the center back edges separately. Stitch the center back seam from the zipper mark to the bottom. Press seam allowances open. Insert the concealed zipper.
- Stitch bust darts on the front piece. Press bust dart allowances upwards. Stitch darts on the front piece.
- Stitch side and shoulder seams. Press seam allowances towards the back and serge.
- Stitch shoulder seams of neckline facings, press seam allowances open. Serge the outer edge. Place facings right sides together with the garment and stitch along the neckline edge. Clip seam allowances, turn facings to the wrong side, straighten, and press. Hand stitch facings to shoulder seams and zipper tape.
- Stitch sleeve seams. Serge seam allowances and press towards the back. Set sleeves into armholes. Serge seam allowances and press.
- Serge the bottom edge of the garment and sleeves. Press seam allowances to the wrong side and topstitch.
- Place belt pieces right sides together and stitch along the contour, leaving an opening for turning. Trim seam allowances at corners, turn the belt right side out, and press. Close the opening. Topstitch along the belt contour. Make buttonholes on the belt.
- Sew buttons onto the front piece.
