Our mid-calf linen dress with flirty ruffle sleeves is perfectly simple yet romantic and sophisticated. There’s something so delicate and precious about the dainty movement of ruffles that flutter in the breeze… Perfect for everyday wear or special occasions, the Leena dress will make a delightfully feminine wardrobe addition.

Learn how to make this cute ruffle sleeve dress with this easy to follow sewing tutorial.

Materials

For US size 6 pictured in this tutorial: 2 yards of IL019 ASPHALT FS Signature Finish Medium Weight Linen. For larger sizes, please refer to the yardage table in the PDF pattern.

Matching sewing thread, lightweight fusible interfacing

Tools

Scissors, pins, ruler, chalk, fabric marker, measuring tape, seam ripper, sewing machine

Difficulty

Beginner

Time

3-4 hours

Pattern

You can access the multi-sized printable PDF pattern by following this link HERE. All seam allowances are included. The model is wearing size US size 6.

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 at room temperature. Iron the fabric so it is easier to work with.

1. Pin front and back bodices right sides together and stitch at a 3/8” (1 cm) seam allowance. Trim the raw edges down to 1/4″ (6 mm), serge or zigzag them together to prevent the fabric from fraying. Press the serged/zigzagged seam allowances up towards the back of your dress.

2. Follow this step-by-step tutorial and attach the inseam pockets and sew the side seams. Finish the seams and press towards the back of the dress.

3. Apply fusible interfacing to the wrong side of front/back facing. To avoid bulky seams, you can trim off the interfacing’s seam allowances. Finish the bottom edges with a serger or a zigzag stitch to prevent the fabric from fraying.

4. Pin the shoulder and side seams of your front and back facing pieces right sides together and stitch at a 3/8” (1 cm) seam allowance. Then trim the raw edges down to 1/4″ (6 mm), serge or zigzag them together and press towards the front.

5. Matching the neckline and armhole raw edges, pin the facing to the dress right sides together along the neckline.

6. Starting at the shoulder seam, stitch the facing to the dress along the entire neckline edge at a 3/8” (1 cm) seam allowance. Remember to backstitch. Trim the seam allowance down to ¼” (6 mm) and clip the curves (clip to but not through the seamline).

7. Pull the facing to the inside of the dress and press the seam flat. Topstitch along the neckline (1/4″ from the edge) to keep the facing in place.

8. Take your ruffle pieces and finish the bottom edge with a baby hem.

9. Gather the upper edge as explained in this tutorial.

10. Tuck in the raw edges of your dress and facing armhole seam allowance and sandwich the ruffle in between. Place your ruffle between the two notches on either sleeve and pin.

11. Topstitch around the entire armhole starting and ending at the underarm. Remember to backstitch. Pull out the gathering stitches.

12. Lastly, finish the bottom edge of your dress with a rolled hem: fold your fabric twice to the wrong side (3/8” to 1”), press, pin, and edgestitch.

13. Give your finished dress one last press and you are all done!

We love seeing what you make! Don’t forget to share your pictures and tag your creations with #FabricsStoreLeenaPattern hashtag.

Browse our selection of linen fabrics and find the color that inspires you for this project!