Simple Sleeveless Dress Sewing Pattern

Difficulty:
Intermediate

Materials:
43 1/2 in (110 cm) by 2 yd (1.9 m) cotton fabric
Try picking a fabric with a border design, like the lace design pictured

For more sewing projects and shift dress patterns, check out our roundup of 10 free shift dress patterns for work and play on CraftFoxes.

Step 1

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Download the pattern sheet and print to scale. Cut fabric in pictured shape.

Step 2

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Sew bust darts. Press darts upwards.

Newer sewers should note that darts are cuts in fabric that help it drape smoothly over curves like the bust and hip.

Step 3

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Neaten shoulder edges. Sew shoulder seams and press open.

Step 4

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Sew two rows of basting between notches at front neckline. Gather. Sew on neckline binding, fold in ends and turn hem under. Remove basting. Fold binding over raw edge and topstitch.

Step 5

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Neaten all side edges. Sew side seams and press open.

Step 6

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Sew armhole facing around armholes. Clip curves, fold facing to the wrong side and topstitch.

Step 7

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Double fold dress hem, then topstitch.

Step 8

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This pattern and photos are excerpted with permission from "Stylish Dress Book: Wear with Freedom" by Yoshiko Tsukiori and published by Tuttle Publishing. (ISBN: 978-0804843157; Retail $18.95)