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Safety Notice: Handmade items made from this pattern may contain small parts or long cords that pose choking or strangulation risks. Not suitable for children under 3 years. Please see the full safety disclaimer at sewmag.co.uk/safety.
This easy belted tunic dress is the perfect project if you’ve ever wanted to try drafting your own pattern. Simply follow the diagrams to measure and cut the pieces from rectangles of fabric. This is a loose-fitting style which should fit most sizes, however, as you are creating your own pattern from a rectangle of fabric, it is easy to adjust to make it larger or smaller if desired to fit your own measurements.
Stitch a belted dress
1 Draft the patterns for the bodice front and bodice back using the dimensions on the diagrams (above). Cut out as per the cutting guide. Sew the bodice front pieces together, main fabric to lining, with right sides facing around the neck and armholes. Clip around the neck and press.
2 Sew the back pieces together down the centre. Do this for the main fabric, followed by the lining. Then stitch the bodice back pieces together, main fabric to lining, with right sides facing around the neck and armholes. Clip around the neck and press.
3 Introduce the complete bodice back piece (right side out) into the complete bodice front (right side in). Make sure that the main fabric parts touch and the lining pieces touch as well. Sew the shoulders closed. Pull the bodice back piece out and press.
4 Sew the side seams closed by aligning each seam perfectly at the armhole point and pinning outwards. Attach the skirt pieces at the side seams. Sew the bodice to the skirt with right sides facing. Finish the seam with an overlocker or a zigzag stitch. Alternatively use a French seam.
5 To hem the skirt, fold up 6mm, press, then fold under another 2.5cm and edgestitch by sewing a few millimetres away from the folded edge.
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