DOWNLOAD LINK AT THE END OF THE POST
This new dress was created because I needed something to wear to my friend’s baby shower – when my belly has grown so big that I cannot fit in to any of my nicer dresses – those which were made before I got pregnant. Although it is roomy enough to accommodate a 8-month pregnant belly, I believe I can still wear it after my baby is born – this design helps to hide the not-so-beautiful waistline after giving birth!
Please take a look at the 3D simulation of the Vanessa tunic dress:
As usual, the Vanessa tunic dress 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 midi or maxi dress with 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 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 VANESSA TUNIC DRESS
You will need
- Fabric of your choice
- Scissors, pencil or fabric marker, ruler, pins
- Sewing machine or needle and thread
What fabric can be used for this project? I’d experiment this dress with any kind of woven fabric I have on hand. Thin, flowy and soft silk for extra feminine feel, or linen for vintage breath. It is now summer and just like most expectant mothers, I feel hot all the time – so 100% cotton or linen fabric will be my first choice.
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 Yoke: 1 piece cut on the fold
- Back Yoke: 2 pieces
- Front Dress: 1 piece on the fold
- Back Dress: 1 piece on the fold
- Sleeve: 2 pieces
- Neckline Bias Binding: 1 piece on bias
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 knitted fabric), you can skip this step.
2. Place 2 Back Yoke pieces right side facing. Pin and sew from the lower edge up 1 inch (2.5cm). Fold the seam allowance of each side up toward the neckline, stitch about 1/3 inch from the center seam from the lower edge to the neckline. You will get the Joined Back Yoke.
3. Sew two parallel lines using longest stitch length about 1/8 and 1/4 inch from the upper edge of Front Dress piece. Pull to gather the fabric until it equals the lower edge of the Front Yoke piece. Repeat this step with the Back Dress.
4. Place the gathered Front Dress and Front Yoke right side facing. Pin and sew to join. Repeat with the Back Dress and joined Back Yoke.
5. Place the joined Front Dress and Back Dress right side facing. Pin and sew the shoulder seam and the side seam. You can also add in seam pockets when you sew the sides of the dress.
6. Sew two parallel lines of about 5 inches using longest stitch length 1/8 and 1/4 inch from the edge of the sleeve cap, gently pull to gather the sleeve cap so that the fabric gathers at the sleeve cap.
7. Pin and sew the seam of the sleeves.
7. Turn one sleeve inside out, pin it to its corresponding armhole. You will see that there are two notches at the back armhole and one notch at the front armhole. Match the notches on the armhole and the sleeve. Adjust the gathering at the sleeve cap to match the notches and keep the armhole on the main side of the dress flat. Pin and sew to attach the sleeve. Repeat with the other side
12. Hem the sleeve and dress, and you’ve made it!
And here is the download link:
VANESSA TUNIC DRESS (SIZE XXS-5XL)
Happy sewing! And don’t forget to share your project on my Facebook page: Tiana’s Closet Sewing Patterns
Tiana
