Make Dress in One Hour

This dress is so quick to sew, you’ll find yourself making more than one. It would also look great in a metallic knit for a special occasion.

What says summer more than a chic, lightweight dress? Sew a sophisticated asymmetrical style that can be worn for the office or date night with just a change of accessories. This dress is made from a stable knit fabric and is the perfect addition to your work or nighttime wardrobe. It has a gathered shoulder on one side for an updated silhouette on the classic sheath dress.

What You'll Need: 
French curve
Hand-sewing needle
Interlock knit, 2 yards
Measuring tape
Pattern paper
Ruler
Sewing machine
Thread
Make the Pattern

1. Take your measurements. Measure across your shoulders; this is measurement “A.” Measure from your shoulders to your desired length; this is measurement “B.”

2. Draw two rectangles. Draw a rectangle that’s half measurement A plus 1-inch wide and measurement B long, as shown below (rectangle 1). Flush to the right of rectangle 1, draw a second rectangle that’s half measurement A plus 10 inches wide and measurement B long (rectangle 2). The line the rectangles share is center front and back. The two rectangles form one pattern piece.

3. Mark the pattern as shown in the diagram. Use a French curve to add a bit of shape to the side seams, starting 7 inches below the top edge on both sides. Draw the neckline opening. Start the opening 3 inches in from the left edge and end 12 inches from the right edge. Be sure the neckline is symmetrical on either side of the centerline. Make curves for the side seams identical on each side. Add a 1⁄2-inch seam allowance to all edges except the bottom, and add a 3⁄4-inch hem allowance.


Sew the Dress

1. Cut out the dress. From the pattern, cut two pieces from a stable knit fabric.

2. Sew the side seams. With right sides together and edges aligned, sew the side seams with a 1⁄2-inch-wide seam allowance, starting 7 inches from the top edge.

3. Sew the 3-inch shoulder seam. With right sides together and raw edges aligned, sew the shoulder seam with a 1⁄2-inch-wide seam allowance.

4. Sew the 12-inch shoulder seam. With right sides together and raw edges aligned, sew the longer shoulder
seam with a 1⁄2-inch-wide seam allowance.

5. Finish the edges. Turn under 1⁄2 inch on all raw edges, except the hem, and topstitch. Turn under the hem 3⁄4 inch, and topstitch.

6. Pleat the dress. Fold pleats into the 12-inch shoulder seam. Gather it to about 6 inches. Hand-sew the pleats in place at the shoulder seam.