DOWNLOAD LINK AT THE END OF THE POST
I have been enjoying the warmer days, the sun and blooms everywhere here in Vancouver, and spending lots of my free time sewing new dresses and skirts for my friends and me. Most of the time the dresses are for photo taking – and I chose bright colors, playful prints to match our outfits with the cheerful surrounding. We were really excited to go to the tulip fields in the countryside, and suddenly, a lockdown order because of surging COVID-19 cases! What a disappointment 🙁
Now I am having free time again (been ripped off from our dreamed weekend in the countryside), I am working on new design – the Natalie Flutter Sleeve Dress!
The Natalie dress design was inspired from the beautiful spring – so it has romantic flutter sleeves, a below the knee flared skirt and a loose fitting waistband with elastic (or a slim waistband). It should be made with light weight and flowy fabric, so you can feel the breeze when standing in a field of wildflowers.
Let’s check out how it looks on my 3D model:
The Natalie dress is made in 10 sizes from XXS to 5XL, so you will find yourself a suitable size. Let’s check out a few more color and print options for this dress:
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 instruction here.
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.
HOW TO SEW THE NATALIE FLUTTER SLEEVE DRESS
Making the Natalie dress is not difficult at all! Just be careful with the invisible zipper at the back!
You will need
- Fabric of your choice
- Some elastic for the waist (optional, you can use a slim waistband instead)
- Invisible zipper
- Scissors, pencil or fabric marker, ruler, pins
- Sewing machine or needle and thread
What fabric can be used for this project? Although it depends on your choice, I recommend using lightweight woven fabric. If you want to use stretch fabric, go down one size for better fit. Opt for soft flowy fabric for a romantic look, solid color or fun prints, each will create a unique style (did you see the prints and colors I used in the 3D simulation?)
How much fabric do you need for this piece of garment? 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 Bodice – 1 piece
- Back Bodice – 2 piece
- Front Skirt – 1 piece
- Back Skirt– 2 pieces
- Sleeve – 2 pieces
- Neckline bias binding – 1 piece
Make sure to mark all notches and other design features such as pleats etc. from the pattern piece onto your fabric. When sewing the garment, pay attention to notches, they must match up.
Sewing instruction:
1. Serge the fabric to prevent fraying. If you use non fraying fabric (like fleece or knitted fabric), you can skip this step.
2. Sew the bust darts.
3. Place the Front Bodice and a Sleeve piece right side facing (remember to match the notches on both pieces), pin and sew to join the Front Bodice and the Sleeve. Repeat with the other side.
4. Place the Back Bodice and the joined Front Bodice + Sleeve right side facing. Match the notches, pin and sew. You will get the raglan sleeve attached to the bodice of the dress. Repeat with the other side.
5. Place the Front Skirt and Front Bodice right side facing. Pin and sew to get the Front Dress.
6. Place the right Back Skirt and right Back Bodice right side facing. Pin and sew to get the right Back Dress. Repeat with the other pieces to get the left Back Dress.
7. Align the Front Dress and the Back Dress pieces right side facing. Match all the joined seams (at waistband and armhole), pin and sew to join the Front Dress and Back Dress from the skirt up toward the waistband, then armhole and sleeve.
8. Attach invisible zipper to the back of the dress.
9. Attach bias binding to the neckline.
10. (Optional) You can attach a piece of elastic to the inside of the dress, at the waist seam so it will naturally gather around your waist. Or you can just leave it as is and add a slim waistband to define your waist.
11. Hem the skirt and sleeves. Iron it nicely and you’ve made it – the Natalie flutter sleeve dress!
And here is the download link:
NATALIE FLUTTER SLEEVE DRESS (SIZE XXS-5XL)
Happy sewing! And don’t forget to share your project on my Facebook page: Tiana’s Closet Sewing Patterns
Tiana
