Maria - Draped Dress Pattern

This dress is made for you.

This easygoing and gracefully indie sewing pattern is the perfect project for confident sewists. The above the knee dress pattern features a hourglass silhouette with two tiers of ruffles, which allows for a close-fitting dress with an accentuated waist and draped balloon sleeve with elasticated cuff. It also features a front button stand, a peplum waist frill with hard covered belt and a flattering plunge neckline.

Design Highlights

• mini length skirt with frill
• plunge neckline
• front buttoning
• double frilled hemline
• oversized puffed long sleeve with an open sleeve cut
• elasticated puff sleeve end
• frilled waistline detail

Maria Dress Sewing Pattern Overview

Why You'll Love This Pattern: This is the perfect dress pattern for anyone who wants to try their hand at sewing balloon sleeves. The dress is also incredibly versatile, as it can be dressed up or down depending on the fabric choice. It's the perfect romantic choice for warmer months. This airy and lightweight dress is the perfect mix of style and comfort, and it's sure to become your go-to choice for any occasion.

Sewing Level

Our Maria Pattern is perfect for anyone with a medium – advanced sewing skill.

More Of What's Inside Our Pattern

• A printable PDF sewing pattern format (You will need Adobe Reader on your computer to open the PDF files)
• Measurement sheet and size chart
• Step-by-step guide on how to cut and sew your pattern
• Assembling the pattern piece
• Step by Step Instructions with Illustrations
• So many sizes to pick from! 2-14 (US) / 34-46 (EU)
• A4 paper and Letter paper format for printing at home
• A0 for printing at the copy center on A0 paper rolls
• Projector files for projecting the patterns directly onto the fabric using the home projector

Supplies

Sewing Your Perfect Size Dress Pattern

Adding a draped dress to your summer wardrobe is a great way to add a touch of class. This easy-to-follow sewing pattern guide will show you how to make a flattering, stylish dress that will get you compliments everywhere you wear it

We're ready to get creative!

You'll need:

• Your Maria Draped Dress PDF pattern
• Preferred fabric
• Color matching thread
• fusible interfacing - Ultra Lightweight Fusible Interfacing (if needed)
• fusible interfacing - Nonwoven Lightweight Interfacing
• fusible interfacing tape
• buttons
• 1 cm wide elastic
• Sewing machine

Seam Allowances

• 1 cm seam
• 0.7 cm double turned hem

Fabric Suggestion:

light weight woven fabrics

How much fabric do you need for your diy dress?

The fabric requirements below are for fabrics that are140-150 cm wide. If you use a different width or a design like stripes or plaid, you might need to adjust the pattern placement. To avoid an unforeseen trip to the store, make sure to buy enough fabric when starting your project.

Check your contraction!

Important! Before cutting, check the contraction of your chosen fabric. To do this, iron steam the raw material at its maximum heat recommendation. This will ensure that your finished garment will remain true to its sewn size and won't shrink after first washing. The best way to account for any potential shrinkage is to buy 5% more than your project requires.

How To Sew It

Sewing A Dress - Sewing Instructions

As soon as everything is set up, we can begin sewing. A step-by-step instructions are included with our pattern.

It's as simple as that!

Sewing the Sleeve

• Sew a double turned hem on each side of the sleeve. Fold up the raw edge of the fabric once and then fold again ( 5 mm+ 5 mm). Sew using a straight stitch, close to folded edge.Press the seam flat. fig 1
• Repeat step 1 with the bottom of the sleeve, 1 cm + 1 cm, to create the elastic channel.
• Cut a piece of non-roll elastic the length required to go around the wrist comfortably. Pin a safety pin to one end and thread through the casing. fig 2. Pull the two ends of the elastic together and machine to join in a square shape with an X for strength.
• Sew one row of gathers at 0.5 cm and a second row at 1.5 cm. Leave long tails of thread for gathering. Gently pull on the two ends of the thread on the wrong side—the fabric will gather along the thread. fig 3

Sewing the bust

• If the fabric is sheer and runny - Apply fusible interfacing on the wrong side of the center front and center back bust pieces.
• Sew the shoulder seam of the center front and center back pieces, right sides together, using a 1 cm seam allowance. Press the seam open. fig 4
• Repeat step 2 with the bust lining pieces
• Place the top of the sleeve on the raw edge of the front and back bust, between the notches marked on the pattern, right sides together. Match the shoulder notches and gently start to distribute the sleeve gathers evenly with your finger. Place pins and sew them together using a 1 cm seam allowance. fig 5
• Iron a thin fusible interfacing tape on the top of the side bust pieces, on the wrong side. fig 6
• Sew the side front and side back bust pieces together, right side to right side. Press the seam open and overlock.
• Prepare the bias tape and apply it on the top part of the side bust pieces. fig 7
• Place the side back piece on top of the center back piece, right sides together, with the sleeve in between. Match the notches and sew at 1 cm. Repeat with the same piece, with the front sides. Overlock the seam from the front until the back. Remove the second thread of the gathering and press gently. fig 8
• If the fabric is sheer and runny, apply fusible interfacing tape all around the skirt pieces seam allowance.
• Sew the sides of the skirt pieces together, right side to right side. Press the seam open and overlock.
• Attach the skirt with the bust at the waist, right sides together, using a 1 cm seam allowance. Overlock the seam and press. fig 10
• Apply lightweight fusible interlining on the button stand pieces, on the wrong side.
• Fold in half the button stands, length wise. Fold one long edge of the button stand again, 1 cm to the wrong side. fig 11
• Sew at 1cm the top of the button stand, right sides together. Cut narrow the corner, turn the button stand inside out and press. fig 12
• Apply the button stand on the center front pieces, right sides together, taking care to meet the notches. Pin in place and sew at 1 cm. fig 13
• Take the turned seam allowance of the under button stand and pin in place around the seam, taking care to insert the seam allowance inside the stand. Make sure the two leading front edges of the button stand are symmetrical.
• Use a flat top stitch to secure the under button stand at the seam edge. Sew at 0.1 cm. fig 14
• Overlap the 2 button stands and pin them together at the bottom. Catch them in a seam at 0.5 cm from the raw edge

Sewing the skirt

• If the fabric is sheer and runny, apply fusible interfacing tape all around the skirt connector pieces seam allowance. fig 19
• Sew the sides of the skirt connector pieces together, right side to right side. Press the seam open and overlock.
• Take the top ruffle pieces and sew the sides, right side to right side. Overlock and press the seam. fig 20
• Overlock the hem of the top ruffle. Turn the hem up 0.5 cm to the wrong side of the fabric. Press and sew at 0.4cm. fig 21
• Using a gathering foot, gather the top of the top ruffle piece, at a medium pace. fig 22
• Repeat step 3-5 with the bottom ruffle pieces.
• Sew the bottom ruffle at the bottom of the skirt connector piece, good sides together. overlock and press the seam. fig 23
• Sew at 0.5 cm the top ruffle on the skirt connector at the top, bad side (ruffle) with good side (skirt connector).fig 24
• Apply the top ruffle and the skirt connector on the bottom of the skirt piece, placing them right sides together. Sew at 1 cm, overlock and press the seam

Sewing the belt

• Apply fusible interlining on the belt piece
• Fold the belt in half, right side to right side so the fusible is showing. Pin.
• Sew along all the raw edges using a 1 cm seam allowance. Remember to leave one short end open to turn the belt through. Remove the bulk from the corners and press the seam carefully so that it is on the very edge.
• Hand sew the opened end closed with a flat fell or blind hem stitch.
• If you opted to add a buckle, push the belt trough the buckle center and fold it 2 cm. Hand sew the folded fabric on the edge. fig 26

Video Tutorial

Sewing Tutorial

This video will walk you through the process of making the dress step-by-step. If necessary, rewind and stop sections of the video until every detail is clear. When you're ready to begin, it'll be a cinch, and you'll be thrilled with the results!

Explore The Versatility Of Sewing Patterns And Wear Your Own Artwork

Your sewing satisfaction is our main priority here at Georgette Patterns. Our patterns are straightforward and uncomplicated so you can have more fun with the creative process!

A Free Pattern for Download

With you in mind, we created this off-the-shoulder blouse and skirt free sewing pattern. They're simple to use, so you may get a feel for our design while also receiving a sewing lesson to make things easier. Give us a try!