Cutting Guide

Note: start by taking your hip measurement

Dress: cut two 1.05m x (half of hip plus 80cm) rectangles

Neckband: cut one 5cm x 72cm strip on the bias

Belt: cut one 12cm x 1.4m strip

1.5cm seam allowance used unless specified otherwise.

Sew a party frock

1 Cut out all pieces according to the cutting guide. Fold one dress piece in half lengthways, right sides together, and transfer the markings onto it as indicated on the diagram, drawing the front neckline. Repeat for the second piece, this time drawing the back neckline. Cut out both dress pieces, then neaten the raw edges of the shoulder and upper sleeve.

2 Lay the front and back pieces right sides together, matching the shoulder and upper sleeve seams. Pin, stitch, then press the seam allowances open. Fold the neckband in half, right sides together, then stitch across the short edge. Fold the resulting circle in half lengthways with wrong sides together and press.

3 Match the joining seam of the neckline to the centre back of the neckline, lining up the raw edges and stretching the neckband slightly. Stitch around with a 1cm seam allowance, then neaten all the raw edges. Press the seam downwards so the neckband sits flush with the main dress.

4 Lay the front and back right sides together. Match and pin the lower sleeve and side seams together, then stitch each in one continuous line. Trim the seam allowance to 7.5mm and neaten or clip along the underarm curve. Turn in by 3cm at both the sleeve cuffs and base hemline, press, then stitch.

5 Fold the belt strip in half lengthways, right sides together, then snip each end at an angle. Stitch the raw edges with a 1cm seam, leaving a gap in the centre. Trim the bulk from the corners, then turn the tie right side out through the gap. Push out the corners, then press before slip stitching the gap closed.