Peter Pan Collar Dress Tutorial
Today we are kicking off our fall/winter collection of sewing projects perfect for the season and it starts with this beautiful Peter Pan Collar Dress.
With its simple design, straight fit, long sleeves and a cute little collar, this dress is a loose, comfortable and entirely effortless piece of clothing that will very likely become your wardrobe bestie all year long. Plus, it is made of our uber soft linen in a stunning yarn-dyed pale gray that gives the dress a weightless drape and beautiful movement.
Follow this basic tutorial to create a new and versatile addition to your wardrobe in as little as a few hours.
Materials
2 yards of IL042 900 – FS Premier Finish – 100% Medium Weight Linen
Matching sewing thread, fusible interfacing, one button
Tools
Pattern paper, pen, chalk, scissors, measuring tape, ruler, pins, seam ripper, fabric marker, sewing machine
Difficulty
Beginner
Time
3-4 hours
Pattern
You can access the dress pattern by following this link HERE and the printable Peter Pan collar template can be found HERE. Remember to add seam allowances as indicated in the pattern.
Note that you’ll also need to cut a strip of fabric on bias (1,5″ wide and to the length of your entire neckline and 30″ large) for the neckline binding. For detailed instructions on how to cut and make your bias tape please follow this tutorial.
The diagram shows the pattern for US size 6-8 (UK size 10-12). If you need help grading your pattern, please follow this tutorial. If you need help adjusting the pattern for a fuller bust, we have a great Full Bust Adjustment tutorial HERE.
Steps
Note: Prewash your fabric and tumble dry it until it is still slightly moist, dry in room temperature. Iron the fabric so it is easier to work with.
1. Before assembling the front and the back together, you need to sew the back keyhole opening and the button loop closure. The process is very similar to sewing a back slit, which we explained in one of our previous tutorials. The only difference is in shaping. With the keyhole opening, you stitch a rounded shape (we recommend to transfer it to the interfacing first with a fabric marker) and clip around the curve to release the tension. The rest of the steps are the same.
2. Once you’ve finished sewing the keyhole opening and attached a button loop (do not attach the button yet), you can assemble the front and the back of the dress right sides together by pinning the two pieces at the shoulders.
3. Sew the shoulder seams right sides together at 3/8″ (1 cm) seam allowance, remember to backstitch.
4. Trim the seam allowance down to 1/4″ (6 mm) and serge or zigzag the raw edges together to prevent the fabric from fraying. Press the seams flat folding the serged/zigzagged edges towards the back of your dress.
5. Attach the Peter Pan collar to your neckline following this step-by-step tutorial.
6. Now is a good time to sew the button on using your needle.
Now that we’ve finished with the neckline, we can attach the sleeves.
7. Pin the sleeves to the armholes right sides together.
8. Sew at a 3/8” (1 cm) seam allowance.
9. Serge or zigzag the raw edges together to prevent the fabric from fraying. Press the serged/zigzagged seam allowances up towards the sleeves.
10. Sew the sleeves and the side seams right sides together at a 3/8” (1 cm) seam allowance. Finish the raw edges with a serger or a zigzag stitch and press the seams flat folding the serged/zigzagged edges towards the back of your dress.
11. Finish the sleeve openings with a rolled hem. Fold the fabric twice towards the wrong side, 3/8″ to 1/2 inch, press, pin, and stitch.
12. Finish the bottom hem the same way you finished the sleeves: fold the fabric twice towards the wrong side, 3/8″ to 1/2 inch. Press, pin, and stitch.
Give it a good press and your new dress-up-or-down, chic, versatile dress is finally done!
Check out our selection of linen and see which of our fabrics inspire you for this project. This dress will look great in any color!
Recomended Fabrics
Leave a reply
Related posts
Alejandra Elastic Waist Jumpsuit Tutorial
Do you have that one outfit you want to live in all summer long? Our Alejandra jumpsuit is one of those one item essentials that makes getting ready in the morning a breeze and is so comfy that you’ll never want to take it off. Alejandra is a relaxed pull-on jumpsuit with elastic waist, button…
Luciana Dolman Sleeve Faux-Wrap Dress Tutorial
Feminine and vintage-inspired, the Luciana Faux-Wrap Dress is an effortless instant outfit that is sure to flatter any figure. It has all the benefits of a classic wrap dress (think sensual deep V-neck) and features an elasticated waist for more comfort, dolman sleeves and two convenient front patch pockets. It also includes a detachable belt…
Mariana Linen Notched Collar Jacket Tutorial
When it comes to looking and keeping cool, a linen jacket is an absolute must-have. Thanks to linen’s breathability and lightweight texture, a jacket made out of linen not only looks comfortable and laid-back but also provides the ultimate armor to see you through the warmer months. To wear linen confidently is to embrace all…
Natalia Goncharova: The Spirit of Russia
“A spark of the spirit lives in us, it is connected with all spirit. It is divine. It is drawn to other, similar sparks. This is the urge to creation.” Natalia Goncharova was an explosive force of creativity, encapsulating the wild spirit of avant-garde Russia with painting, printmaking, performance and design. Throughout her long, prolific…
Genia Tailored Linen Shirt Tutorial
Over the last couple of months, we’ve posted a few tutorials explaining different sewing techniques used in traditional shirtmaking and they all have been leading up to this post. We showed you how to draft and sew a mandarin collar, a sleeve placket and classic button bands. So today we offer you the opportunity to…
Latest Posts
14 Comments
millimarg
Is the model in the photos wearing a dress made with the size 6-8 pattern provided in the link? I’m hoping to sew the dress (it’s lovely!) but am nervous about grading down a pattern since I’ve never done this before. I’m generally a size 4 in dresses.
Rima Khusainova
Hello and yes, the model is wearing US size 6-8. This dress is straight and slightly loose, so for your size 4 I’d just grade the shoulders, armholes and sleeves.
Louise
I think this dress looks great!
Rima Khusainova
Thank you so much, Louise! x
Vicki H
i love the dress – it has a “young vibe” and I am looking forward to making it! thank you!!!
Rima Khusainova
Thank you so much Vicki! It warms my heart to hear that 🙂
Vicki H
The Peter Pan collar is showing up in the retail stores this fall – so this is spot on for updating my wardrobe! XO
Rima Khusainova
Exactly! This collar is definitively very trendy this season 🙂
Susan
Classic- yes.
Another color in the collar, maybe? would suggest that people experiment with the pattern, IMO.
If this is to be used as a cocktail dress, it would be a welcome change from the “slutty” styles usually shown.
I’d add glitz/glitter in a scarf or something other item to glam it up.
Thanks for the nice tutorial.
Rima Khusainova
Thanks for your comment Susan and for the great idea about experimenting with the collar. A contrasting collar would definitively add some pop of color to the monochrome look. I totally agree – there are so many possibilities for embellishment!
Alice Elliot
Nice tutorial but I think this dress looks more like women’s prison garb than a cocktail dress.
Ms. T
I was thinking along similar lines! Even on a super skinny, waif like model….that is one unflattering dress! Maybe in a more vibrant color….maybe on a model with some breasts….
Denise
I was thinking the same thing. Besides the drab gray, it needs a shaplier silhouette. The stark lighting doesn’t help.
Rima Khusainova
Thank you all for your input! We have plenty of other colors to choose from at our store so I’m sure that you will find something more to your liking. As for the fit – it’s the most classic straight fit midi dress that is supposed to suit most people. We like to keep our tutorials simple but you can always do the bust adjustment and add some darts for a more fitted look. What we wanted to do here is to give some ideas and maybe some inspiration for your own personal projects.