Can one dress do it all?
This one comes pretty darn close.

Featuring both a v-neck and crew neck, this dress is loose fitting while still being ultra-flattering at the waist thanks to a specially designed belt that includes elastic. Wear it over our pleated pants as a tunic or to your next socially distanced Sunday in the park, either way, this confident beginner-level pattern definitely ticks all the boxes. Simple dress pattern for confident beginners.

*this is a paper sewing pattern and will be mailed to you*

Skills:

Clean finishing a neckline
Finishing a hem with a facing
Sewing with elastic
Edgestitch
Blind stitch
Mitered corners
If you choose, how to sew inseam pockets with a French seam! Download the free pocket pattern here.

Pattern Details:

Sizes 0-18 (B Cup) OR 14-30 (D+ Cup)
Skill level: Confident Beginner
Photo tutorial available here
Video tutorial sew alongs available on our YouTube Channel

Fabric:

1 3/8” (35mm) or 1 1/2” (38mm) width soft elastic
Matching thread to your fabric
Self fabric (your main fabric)

Fabric Requirements:

The Damn Good Dress will work in a wide variety of woven fabrications. The front bodice is constructed in a double layer of fabric which allows for more coverage of the bust area if you choose a lightweight, semi-translucent material. The more drape to the material, the more fluid the dress will hang around the body. You may want to add fusible interfacing to maintain the structural neckline if your fabric is very slinky. The stiffer the material, the boxier and more structured the dress will appear. Both will work beautifully; it is just a matter of the style you are going for! Light-Mid weight cottons, linens, and silks are recommended options for this pattern.

Fit Recommendation:

The Damn Good Dress appears more fitted in the front than it truly is. There is plenty of extra volume in the back body to allow for comfortable movement and beautiful draping along the waist when you tie the elastic filled belt. The armholes are wide and open, which helps the overall shaping of the shoulders and relaxed fit across the bust. If you prefer more closed armholes, you can add bar-tacks after completing your dress at the point you wish to close the armhole to or follow the YouTube tutorial for how to sew the armholes smaller here. The length is meant to hit at your mid-to-lower calf. Overall, the fit runs big and roomy with lots of voluminous drama in the back. Size down if you are in between sizes or if you are concerned about too much volume.

Find the size that corresponds closest to your personal measurements in the size chart below. Patterns are designed for a 5’8” (172cm) tall person. The following measurements are needed to determine your size:

BUST | The fullest part of your chest, often times across the apex

WAIST | The smallest part of your torso, directly underneath your rib cage and above your hip bones

HIGH HIP | Starting 3” below your waistline, around the circumference of your hips

LOW HIP | The widest part of your hips, patterns drafted for 8” below the waistline

Dress & Skirt Patterns

Damn Good Dress Paper Sewing Pattern - Izzie