Jennifer Dress

’Tis nearly the season to go glam, and while parties may be on pause for the moment, it’s never too early to sew yourself a brand-new frock for the festivities ahead. Posner and Posner have created a stunning wrap-over midi pattern, with fluttering sleeves and a tie to softly nip in the waist. It’s a great next step for sewers looking to progress from beginner makes, too.

Essentials

Fabric, 3m (140cm)
Small button

Sizes

8-24

Cutting guide

Front: cut four
Back: cut four
Skirt: cut three on the fold (one for the back, and one for each of the front skirts)
Sleeves: cut two
Tie: cut two

1.5cm seam allowance used throughout, unless otherwise stated..

Download the pattern at sewmag.co.uk, then print and follow the cutting guide. Stay-stitch the neck edge of each front and back section by sewing just above the seam line to stabilise. To make the waist ties, fold each piece in half, right sides together, then pin and sew down the edge and along the bottom of the tie. Trim the seam. Turn each tie to the right side and press the edges.
Select a pair of fronts and a back for the bodice lining. With right sides together, pin the fronts to the back, at the shoulder, matching the notches. Sew the shoulder seam and press the seams open. Place the bodice and lining right sides together, then pin around the neck edge, matching the notches and aligning each shoulder seam.
On the right-hand side bodice, place one tie 1.5cm above the fabric edge. The seam of the tie should be facing down towards where the skirt would be and the raw edge kept level with the edge of the bodice. Sew the seam. Clip the stitching around the back neck and trim the seam around the front and back neck edge. Turn right side out and understitch around the neck. Press the seam with the lining to the inside, and press the tie outwards.
With right sides together, pin the side seams of the bodice and bodice lining.

On the left side of the bodice, place one of the ties 1.5cm above the edge of the fabric. The seam of the tie should be facing down towards where the skirt will be and the raw edge of the tie should be level with the raw edge of the bodice front side seam. Sew the side seams together, sandwiching the tie in place on the left-hand side. Press each of the seams open. Press the tie outwards towards the front of the bodice.

Pin the bodice to the lining at the armhole, right side facing, matching the notches and aligning the shoulder seams and the side seams. Stitch around the armhole close to the edge to keep in place while inserting the sleeves. Pin the bottom edges of the bodice and bodice lining together, making sure that the side seams are aligned, and sew close to the edge to keep in place whilst attaching the skirt.
With right sides together and matching the notches, pin and sew each sleeve seam. Neaten the seam on the inside by overlocking, or by stitching a narrow turning. Press the seam. Turn under and sew a very narrow hem around the hem of the sleeve, With right sides together and matching the notches, pin the sleeve to the armhole of the bodice and sew. Neaten the seam by overlocking, or by trimming the excess seam allowance and using a zig zag stitch. Press the seam towards the sleeve.
Pin each of the front skirts to the back skirt, right sides together, and sew the side seams. Neaten the seam by overlocking or by turning under a narrow seam. Press the seam towards the back skirt. Turn under and stitch a narrow hem down the edge of each front skirt. Sew two rows of gathering stitches at the top of the skirt.
With right sides together, pin the skirt to the edge of the bodice, placing each of the finished edges of the front skirts to the edges of the front bodice, matching up the side seams and centre back. Distribute the gathers evenly. Stitch the bodice and skirt together being careful to keep the ties out of the way. Neaten the seam edge by overlocking, or by trimming the seam and using a zig zag stitch. Press the seam down towards the skirt.
Turn up and press the hem of the skirt and sew in place. Try on the dress and decide how much wrap you would like and mark where the button position would be best for you. Attach a button loop to the lefthand side of the front bodice. This can be made from a rouleaux loop of fabric or a piece of narrow ribbon. Secure a small button to the seam allowance of the skirt in the correct place for you.