Sleeveless dress: sewing steps in pictures
The sewing steps from “How to sew a sleeveless dress”, one at a time, each with a diagram. Tap the round numbered buttons to move between steps.Red line = sew here. Blue dotted line = leave open or fold.
1. Sew the darts
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Sew the bodice and skirt darts Sew the darts and press them toward the center
Fold each bodice and skirt dart right sides together so the lines meet, pin, and sew from the wide end to the point. Don't backstitch the point — tie the threads and trim. Press toward the center, easing the point with the tip of the iron.
If the point isn't sewn off finely, it shows as a pleat-like step from the outside.
2. Sew the waist
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Bodice on skirt, right sides together; sew the waist Join the bodice and skirt at the waist
Place the front bodice on the front skirt, and each back bodice on its back skirt, right sides together, matching the darts and side edges. Sew the waist, finish both allowances together and press them toward the bodice.
3. Sew the center back and insert the zip
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Sew the center back from the notch to the hem Sew from the zip notch to the hem
Place the two backs right sides together and sew from the center-back notch (the bottom of the zip opening) down to the hem. Press the seam open.
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Baste above the notch with a long stitch and press open Baste above the notch and press open
Machine-baste from the notch up to the neckline with the longest stitch and no backstitching. Press the seam allowances open.
Baste in a thread that stands out against the fabric so it is easy to see when you unpick it.
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Insert the zip above the notch Insert the invisible zip
Pin the zip to the pressed-open allowances, unpick the basting, then sew it in with its top at the neckline stitching line, stitching right next to the teeth with an invisible-zip foot.
Use a zip at least as long as the pattern note says; stop it at the notch and trim the excess below.
4. Sew the shoulders and sides
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Sew the shoulders, then the sides from underarm to hem Sew both shoulders and both sides
Place front and back right sides together and sew both shoulders. Then sew both sides from the underarm to the hem, matching the waist seams. Press the seams open.
5. Bind the neckline and armholes
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Bind the neckline from one side of the zip to the other Bind the neckline from one side of the zip to the other
Fold 1 cm under at each end of the neckline bias. Sew it to the right side of the neckline, turn it to the inside to enclose the allowance, and stitch close to its edge from the right side.
Ease the bias slightly round the curve so the neckline lies flat.
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Start at the side seam, bind all round and overlap 1 cm Bind each armhole all the way round
Starting at the side seam, sew the armhole bias to the right side of the armhole all the way round, overlapping the end 1 cm over the start. Turn it to the inside to enclose the allowance and stitch close to its edge from the right side.
6. Finish the hem
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Turn up 3 cm at the hem and slip-stitch Turn up 3 cm at the hem and slip-stitch
Turn up 3 cm at the skirt hem, press, and slip-stitch.
Make the pattern free with Katagami. Change the size and try it straight away.
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