Sew — Issue 103 — Xmas 2017

Have you ever seen such an effortless dress? This beauty by Amanda

Walker is simply comprised of two nearly identical pieces that are

finished with an easy neckband. You don't need to shape the body as this

is done with a tie-belt. If you prefer a more narrow sleeve, find out how to

adjust the pattern in the Core Skills panel.

Use our simple diagram

to draft your own

SHAKIRA DRESS

26

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• Fabric, 2.2m (1.5m wide)

Sizes

Custom-sized

Cutting guide

Note: start by taking your hip

measurement

Dress: cut two 1.05m x (half of hip

plus 80cm) rectangles

Neckband: cut one 5cm x 72cm

strip on the bias

Belt: cut one 12cm x 1.4m strip

1.5cm seam allowance used unless

specified otherwise.

1

Cut out all pieces according

to the cutting guide. Fold one

dress piece in half lengthways,

right sides together, and transfer

the markings onto it as indicated

on the diagram, drawing the front

neckline. Repeat for the second

piece, this time drawing the back

neckline. Cut out both dress

pieces, then neaten the raw edges

of the shoulder and upper sleeve.

2

Lay the front and back

pieces right sides together,

matching the shoulder and

upper sleeve seams. Pin, stitch,

then press the seam allowances

open. Fold the neckband in half,

right sides together, then stitch

across the short edge. Fold the

resulting circle in half lengthways

with wrong sides together

and press.

3

Match the joining seam of

the neckline to the centre

back of the neckline, lining

up the raw edges and stretching

the neckband slightly. Stitch

around with a 1cm seam

allowance, then neaten all the raw

edges. Press the seam downwards

so the neckband sits flush with

the main dress.

4

Lay the front and back right

sides together. Match and

pin the lower sleeve and side

seams together, then stitch each

in one continuous line. Trim the

seam allowance to 7.5mm and

neaten or clip along the underarm

curve. Turn in by 3cm at both the

sleeve cuffs and base hemline,

press, then stitch.

For added interest, make the neckband

and belt in a contrast fabric

Hip ÷ 4 + 40cm

11.5cm 12cm

4cm

7.5cm

30cm

105cm

Hip ÷ 4 + 7.5cm

Cut two on the fold

(one back neckline,

one front)

Fold Size adjusting line

Adjust sleeve length

Adjust sleeve width

BACK

NECKLINE

FRONT

NECKLINE

Cutting diagram

5

Fold the belt strip in half

lengthways, right sides

together, then snip each end

at an angle. Stitch the raw edges

with a 1cm seam, leaving a gap in

the centre. Trim the bulk from the

corners, then turn the tie right side

out through the gap. Push out the

corners, then press before slip

stitching the gap closed.