Marilyn Dress

This frock by Amanda Walker will cause the ‘it’s got pockets’ dance, a universal bop among stitchers which involves a joyous leap in the air, followed by a hearty cheer! As well as our favourite feature, you’ll have the chance to master working with ribbing, inserting sleeves and sewing with stretch knits. We recommend setting aside an afternoon to savour this beginner project.

Essentials

Stretch knit fabric, 2m (150cm)
Ribbing, 2m

Sizes

8-24

Cutting guide

Front: cut one on the fold
Back: cut one on the fold
Sleeve: cut two
Pocket: cut four
Bottom band: cut two on the fold
Cuff: cut two from ribbing
Neckband: cut one from ribbing
1.5cm seam allowance used throughout, unless otherwise stated.

Download the pattern from sewmag.co.uk, then print out and follow the cutting guide. Pin a pocket to each side seam of the front and back dress, right sides together, between the notches marked on the pattern. Sew using a 6mm seam, then neaten the edge using an overlocker or zig zag stitch. Press the seam outwards towards the pocket.
With right sides together, pin each sleeve to the front and back dress, matching the notches. Stitch in place and neaten the seam allowance, then press the seam towards the sleeve. Pin the underarm and side seams of the dress, right sides together, and all round the pockets. Sew the seam from the wrist edge of the sleeve, down the side seam, 2.5cm below the top of the pocket.
Reverse stitch back to the top of the pocket and pivot the needle to continue stitching all the way around. Sew the rest of the side seam, 2.5cm above the pocket bottom, down to the hem. Clip the seam allowance just above and below the pocket, then neaten the seam allowance and press the seam towards the dress back.
Pin and stitch the ends of the bottom bands, right sides together. Trim the seam allowance and press the seams open. Fold the band in half, right sides facing and raw edges level, then press. Pin the raw edge of the folded band to the bottom of the dress, matching the side seams and centre notches at the front and back. Secure using a 1.2cm seam. Neaten the seam and press the allowance up towards the dress. Topstitch just above the seam line on the right side, all the way around the band.
Join each piece of cuff ribbing at the side to make the final cuff. Press the seam open and neaten the seam allowance. Pin the cuff to the bottom of the sleeve, matching the cuff centre with the centre of the sleeve, and the side seams of the cuff with the sleeve side seams. Stretch the cuff to fit, then sew in place using a 1.2cm seam. Neaten the seam allowance and finger press towards the sleeve, away from the cuff.
Join the neckband ribbing to make the complete neckband. Press the seam open and neaten the edges. Pin the ribbing neckband to the edge of the neckline, matching the dress centre-front with the centre of the ribbing. Place the ribbing neckband seam at the centre back. As before, stretch the neckband to fit if necessary, then sew in place using a 1.2cm seam. Neaten the seam allowance and press downwards.