DOWNLOAD LINK AT THE END OF THE POST
It’s going to be the party season now, and I bet you are looking for a nice dress to wear at the Christmas party, whether with your family or your friends. Although this year I am not confident wearing a bodycon dress with my post partum tummy, I am so in the mood to make one – if not for myself, then for my close friend as an early gift.
The Carol one shoulder ruffle bodycon dress that I am sharing today features a body conscious silhouette – it hugs your figure closely and flatter your curves. The asymmetrical design with large ruffle will draw attention to your bare shoulder and make you look sexier than ever! Mix it with a bold combo of colors, and you will be surprised how a simple dress can be so nice.
Now let’s see the 3D simulation for this beautiful top, maybe you can find some idea for your next project:
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 dress 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 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 CAROL ONE SHOULDER RUFFLE BODYCON DRESS
You will need
- Stretchy fabric of your choice – remember it must be stretchy or you won’t be able to fit yourself in
- 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 stretchy fabric – you can choose knitted jersey, rib knit or any fabric with at least 20% cross grain stretchiness (when you pull the fabric, it will extend about 20% or more).
How much fabric do you need for this piece of garment? Not too much, about a yard is enough. But 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: 1 piece
- Back: 1 piece
- Front Ruffle: 1 piece
- Back Ruffle: 1 piece
- Armhole binding: 1 piece
Make sure to mark all notches and other design features such as darts 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, you can skip this step.
2. Place Front and Back pieces right side facing. Pin and sew the shoulder and side seams.
3. Place Front Ruffle and Back Ruffle right side facing. Pin and sew the short edges. Hem the ruffle using narrow hem.
4. Place the joined ruffle piece and the dress WRONG side facing. Pin and sew the neckline.
5. Turn the ruffle inside out, topstitch 1/3 inch (8mm) from the neckline to keep the ruffle in place.
6. Use binding to finish the armhole.
7. Hem the dress, and you’ve done!
What do you think about it? A super fast and easy fail-proof project for such a nice looking party dress, right? So now why don’t you give it a try?
And here is the download link:
CAROL ONE SHOULDER RUFFLE BODYCON DRESS (SIZE XXS – 5XL)
Happy sewing! And don’t forget to share your project on my Facebook page: Tiana’s Closet Sewing Patterns
Tiana
