3/7/11

PROJECT #8 : THE STRIPE DRESS

© 2011 Runway Sewing. All Rights Reserved.

Here's a dress that will fit and flatter any body type and size. It has pleats across the front waist and can be worn with a belt for a slimmer look All you need is 1 yard of fabric and less than 2 hours to make the dress AND a belt!


















Material:

1.) 1 yard knit stripe, printed or solid fabric
2.) thread
3.) pins
4.) scissors
5.) measuring tape
6.) sewing machine
7.) marker or chalk
8.) 1 set of hook and eye or snap
9.) about 1 yard of 5/8" velvet ribbon

Duration: 1 1/2 - 2 hours
Sewing Level: Beginner










































 1.  Fold the 1 yard of fabric (wrong side up) in half with stripes going horizontally. Follow the diagram above by pinning and marking the areas needed. Make sure to cut the armhole slit before pinning the pleats at waist!

For the waist pleat, there are total of 12 , 1" pleats being 1 3/4" long. The space between the pleats = 1/2".

You will only need to sew one side of the side seam as the other side will be on the fold.

Note red color indicates cut lines and black dotted lines indicate stitch lines.

In this example, the fabric was 58" wide but only 56" was usable therefore the width of the folded fabric equaled 28".

2. View of the dress after pinning all the pleats at waist.

3. Stitch all the black dotted lines. Shoulder seam, side seam and all the pleats.

4. Cut the seam allowance to about 1/4" at shoulder and side seams.

5.  Belt: You will cut the ribbon into 3 pieces. 1st piece, wrap the ribbon around your waist to measure the circumference. Add about 1 1/2" to the total circumference and cut the ribbon.  2nd piece, cut a 8 1/2" length of ribbon and fold to make a bow. 3rd piece is about 1 3/4" which you will wrap around the middle of the bow and hand sew together as in the picture above. Lastly, use a hook and eye or snap and sew onto the ribbon for closure.

Voila! You are done! Here is another example of a simple patternless design you can use to make it your own! It's fun, it's easy and it's so stylish!

Enjoy and wear it well!

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