Maeve Pinafore

Want us to let you in on the top secret formula that makes Posner and Posner’s design a winner? It’s ‘easy wear shape’ + ‘generously sized pockets’ = ‘quick outfit winner’ – we’ve even subtracted the fastenings for you! Maths aside, this pattern is also a masterclass in working with this season’s hit fabric, needlecord.

Essentials

Fabric, 2m (150cm)
Fusible interfacing, 25cm

Suggested fabrics

Light to medium weight woven fabrics with up to 10% stretch, such as corduroy or denim

Sizes

8-24

Cutting guide

Front and back: cut two on the fold
Front and back facing: cut two on the fold of fabric and two on the fold of interfacing
Pocket: cut four, leaving 1.5cm of fabric around the edge of the pattern
1.5cm seam allowance used throughout, unless otherwise stated.

Download the pattern from sewmag.co.uk, then print out and follow the cutting guide. Place the fabric for the pockets right side together, and on the wrong side, draw around the pocket pattern using a fabric pen or tailor’s chalk. Make sure that you flip the pattern over for the second pocket. Stitch around each pocket along the drawn line, leaving the straight edge open. Trim away excess fabric and clip the curves. Fold the pockets to the right side and press the edges. Topstitch close to the curved edge at the top of the pocket.
Position the pockets where indicated on the front of the dress, so that the unstitched straight edge of the pocket is level with the side seam edge. Sew in position. Apply fusible interfacing to the wrong side of the front and back facing pieces. Neaten the bottom edge of the facings using an overlocker, zig zag stitch or by turning under a narrow hem.
With right sides together, pin each facing to the neckline of the back and front dress, matching centre-back and front and the notches. Sew around the front and back necklines starting and finishing 1.5cm from the shoulder edge, leaving the seam allowance at the shoulders unstitched. Clip curves and trim the seam allowance. Turn the facings right sides out and understitch the facing around the front and back neckline, starting and stopping at the seam allowance for the shoulder.
With right sides together, pin the facings around each armhole and sew up to the seam allowance for the shoulder. Trim the seam allowance and clip the curves. Turn the facings through so that they are right side out. Understitch around the armhole edges of the facings. Pin the front and back dress at the shoulder, right sides together, and sew. Trim the seam and press open. Tuck in the edges of the shoulder seams of the facing and slip-stitch in place.
With right sides together, pin the front and back dress together at the side seams including the side seams of the facings. Sew from the edge of the facing to the hem of the dress, stitching over the side edges of the pockets. Neaten the seam allowance and press the seam towards the back. Turn up and sew the hem of the dress, up to 3cm.