There are moments when you are feeling inspired by the gorgeous’ weather coming up to summer, alas’ when you look into your wardrobe there’s little there to match that gleeful uplifting feeling. So in this tutorial, we have decided to’ teach you how to make’ a very’ simple and equally as useful linen dress, which you can wear out to a plethora of occasions, from picnics to summer night garden parties. Besides, with all the colours to choose from, you can have one in a different colour for every’ day of the week.

Material

1 yard of IL019 English Rose Softened
Matching sewing thread

Tools

Pattern paper, Pattern master
Paper and fabric scissors
Erasable fabric marker
Measuring tape, Pin
Bias tape maker
Sewing machine, Iron

Time

2-3′ hours

Difficulty

Beginner

Step

Note: Prewash your fabric and tumble dry it until it is still slightly moist, let the fabric dry at room temperature.

1. Iron the fabric so it is easier to work with.

2. Follow the diagram and cut out the pieces. There will also need to be a’ seam allowance of 3/8 inch (1cm) at all seams, apart from the ones marked with *, and they will be 2/8 inch (0.5cm) ‘ and the notch marks.

3. The diagram shows the pattern for a size 4-6 (UK size 8-10). Adjust by adding 1 inch (2.5cm) to each seam for each size up, or take away an inch (2.5cm) for each size downwards.

4. Use a serger, or choose your own method to protect the seams from fraying. Make sure the method you choose does not add weight to the fabric.

5. Pin the side seams of the front and back panels together. Sew at the given 3/8 inch (1cm) seam allowance. Press the seam open.

6. Pin together where you have marked the beginning and the end point of the dart on the wrong side of the fabric.

7. Stitch along the pinned line, making sure you end the stitching as close to the end point as possible. This is to reduce excess fabric at the bust point.

8. Press the darts downwards on the wrong side of the garment.

9. Turn the panel around and check the placement of the darts.

10. Pin the short shoulder strap to the front strap on its wrong side. Stitch along the seam allowance and press open.

11. Match up the bottom of the short shoulder strap to the notched marks you have created on the back bodice panel.

12. Pin the strap on, and stitch on the wrong side. Lightly press the seam open.

13. Following this tutorial, make 4 yards (3.6m) of bias binding tape with the material you have. You have to cut the tape on the bias as you will be sewing along curved seams.

14. Pin the tape along the armholes, and the neckline, leaving about 3 inches (7.5cm) opening between the start and end of tape, with around 4 inches (10cm) of tape unpinned. Try to avoid having the armholes side seam as the centre point of this opening as it will have excess fabric at one point.

15. Sew along the pinned areas.

16. At the opening of the tape, bring forward both ends of the tape until they meet and manually press the binding tape onto its wrong side.

17. Make a mark with your fabric marker at the folded point.

18. With the wrong side of the tape facing out, stitch along the folded line. Trim the unsewn part and press the seam open.

19. Pin the newly sewn bias binding tape onto the remaining unsewn area of the garment.

20. Stitch over the pinned area, making sure the beginning and end of the stitching matches up with the previous stitching.

21. For hemming, measure 3/8 inch (1cm) of the bottom seam and fold it up towards its wrong side. Press and pin it.

22. Top stitch along the bottom.

A simple dress to make that will last throughout your wonderful summer days. Why not take a look at the plethora of colour to choose the fabric that will match your wardrobe?