It was such a hit the first time around, we’ve brought our Rosie pleat front pattern out of the Sew archives, and given it a chic autumnal twist by adding slim, three-quarter length sleeves. Designed by Amanda Walker, both styles are made up in bold floral prints and feature a pretty pleated bodice and a straight, knee-length skirt, making them perfect for almost any occasion.
Make a sleeveless dress
Download the pattern. Print and piece together. Lay the pattern pieces onto fabric and cut out. Neaten across the top edge of the centre front panel by either zig zag stitching or overlocking. Use the notches on the sides of the panel to form the pleats, pin in place, then stitch across to secure. Press all the pleats towards the base of the panel, then fold and press the neatened top edge to the wrong side.
Stitch the darts into the back bodice and the lining. Match the notches together at the base of the dart on the back bodice pieces, pin together, then stitch the darts as far as the dots. Repeat the process on the lining back bodice pieces. Press the darts towards the centre back of the bodice.
Match the back bodice pieces to the front side panels along the shoulder seams, pin, then stitch together. Press the shoulder seams open and repeat on the lining pieces.
Stitch the back bodice and front side panels to the lining pieces around the back neck, then sandwich the centre front pleated panel between the layers. With the right sides of the back bodice and front side panel lining pieces facing, match the back neck edges, the front parts of the neckline, then match the notches on the side panels to the centre front panel. The centre panel should be sandwiched between the side panels and the linings. Pin in place, then stitch both sides of the centre front panel around to the centre back. Clip around the neckline, turn to the right side and press.
Attach the lining and the bodice around the armholes. With right sides of the bodice and the lining facing, match the shoulder seams together, pin, then stitch. Clip around the curve of the armholes and turn to the right side and press.
Stitch the bodice side seams together. Match and pin the bodice and bodice lining at the side seams, making sure that the ends of the armhole seams are matching, then stitch together in one continual seam. Press the seam open and fold the lining inside.
Stitch the darts on the front and back skirt pieces. Match the notches together at the top of the dart on the front skirt, pin together, then sew the dart as far as the dots. Repeat the process on the back skirt pieces. Press the darts towards the centre front and centre back of the skirt pieces.
Stitch the side seams of the skirt together. Neaten the side seam of the skirt pieces edges by using either zig zag stitch or by overlocking. Match the side seams together, pin, then stitch together. Press the seams open.
Stitch the skirt to the bodice. Match together the bodice and the skirt side seams, pin, then sew around the waistline. Neaten this seam edge with a zig zag stitch or by overlocking. Neaten the centre back seam edges from the top of the bodice to the base of the skirt and around the edge of the pleat; treat the back bodice and the back bodice