Marysia ruffle dress – free PDF sewing pattern

DOWNLOAD LINK AT THE END OF THE POST

I was surfing Pinterest and found this lovely dress and immediately decided I would love to make it – in a different color of course because I am no good with lighter colors. I love the puffed sleeves and tiny ruffle hem detail and a shorter length which is very suitable for summer.

If you are wondering how this design can go with different colors and print, look at it in 3D simulation:

Marysia ruffle dress free pdf sewing pattern download

As usual, my pattern is made in 10 sizes from XXS to 5XL, so you will find yourself a suitable size. You can also lengthen or shorten the hemline to get your desired length – you can even make a maxi skirt from this pattern.

The pattern is made using layered PDF, please check for your desired size before printing so you won’t waste your paper. I have included a first page with many details about sizing and printing, so please first read the first page and make sure you know what size you need! If you still do not know how to print a layered PDF, please check for the printing instruction in this post: PRINTING GUIDE.

You can print this using your home printer and A4/Letter paper. I calculated the printing area so that you will be able to use either type of paper to print the pattern out perfectly. Always print the first page first and check with the test square if you are printing at the right scale before you print out the whole pattern – avoid waste of ink and waste of paper, save the earth!

Some PC may print smaller than actual size even when you choose 100% scale – I don’t know why this problem exist, but my HP laptop cannot print true to size. I have to scale up to 103% to get the right size. You may need to check with your PC to see if it prints true to size, if not, scale up a bit.

SEWING INSTRUCTION

You will need

Fabric of your choice
Invisible zippers
Some fusible interfacing (optional)
Some ¼ inch elastic
Scissors, pencil or fabric marker, ruler, pins
Sewing machine or needle and thread
Printed pattern

What fabric can be used for this project? This design is made for woven fabric. Opt for 100% cotton fabric for a breathable summer outfit.

How much fabric do you need for this piece of garment? To be precise, you may need to check how much fabric you need before buying. It will depend on the selected pattern size, the width, and design of the fabric you plan to use. Just to be sure, print all the paper patterns and lay them out at the width of fabric you plan to use (usually from 90 to 150 centimeters or 35 to 60 inches). Measure how much fabric you will need. Don’t forget to account for pieces that need to be cut multiple times and pieces that are cut on the fold.

Cutting instruction:

After printing out and taping all the pattern pages together, you will get something similar to this image:

You will see that there are 2 sets of lines on each pattern size. The inner lines are sewing line (and you sew along these lines), and the outer lines are cutting lines (you cut the fabric along these lines, remember the folding lines where you have to fold the fabric before cutting). The distance between sewing line and cutting line is seam allowance, and it varies from point to point. For example, the side seam allowance is about 1/2 inch (1.2cm), and seam allowance at hemline is 1 inch (2.5cm). This is the reason why I do not remove the sewing lines from the pattern. Please use it as a guide to know how much seam allowance you need to give at each seam.

Fabric will be cut into following pieces:

Front Dress: 1 piece cut on the fold
Back Dress: 2 pieces
Front Neck Facing: 1 piece self fabric + 1 piece fusible interfacing
Back Neck Facing: 2 pieces self fabric + 2 pieces fusible interfacing
Sleeve: 2 pieces
Ruffle Hem: 2 pieces cut on the fold

Make sure to mark all notches and other design features such as darts, pleats etc. from the pattern pieces onto your fabric. When sewing the garment, pay attention to notches, they must match up.

The fusible interfacing is optional. It is used to make the collar stiffer and stay true to shape, but omitting it will not cause you too much trouble.

You can also use bias tape instead of facing to finish the neckline.

Sewing instruction:

Serge the fabric to prevent the sides from unraveling.
Apply fusible interfacing to neck facing pieces.
Fold, pin and sew the bust darts, waist darts on front and back dress pieces.
Place Front Dress and one piece of the Back Dress right side facing. Pin and sew the shoulder and side seams. Repeat with the other piece of the Back Dress. You get the main garment.
Attach invisible zippers to the back of the main garment.
Sew two parallel lines using longest stitch length at the cap of the sleeve (starting from one notch on the front side to the first notch on the back side of the sleeve). Pull the threads to gather the sleeve cap until it matches the armhole on the main garment, distribute the gathering evenly.
Sew the side seam of the sleeve.
Fold the hem of the sleeve in (I leave a 2 ½ inches seam allowance). Sew a line about ½ inch from the raw edge of the seam allowance, then sew another line ½ inch from the first line. You are getting the casing for the elastic. Do not sew close the casing, leave 1 inch opening to insert elastic.
Measure your bicep and cut a piece of elastic. Do not cut it too short, it will feel uncomfortable against your skin. Insert elastic to the casing. Tie the elastic. Sew to close the opening.
Place the sleeve and the armhole right side facing. Match all notches. Pin and sew to attach the sleeve to the garment. Do it with both sleeves.
Place the Front Neck Facing and Back Neck Facing right side facing. Pin and sew the shoulder seam.
Place the Neck Facing and the main garment right side facing. Match all notches and seams, pin and sew to join the neck facing to the main garment. Fold the facing in, staystitch the seam allowance to the facing piece. Clip to smoothen the curves.
Place the two Ruffle Hem pieces right side facing. Sew the side seams.
Use the two parallel lines method to gather the ruffle hem so that it matches the raw edge of the skirt, remember to match the side seams, and distribute the gatherings evenly along the way.
Place the Ruffle Hem to the main garment right side facing. Pin and sew to join.
Hem the dress. Give it a good iron and you’re done!