DOWNLOAD LINK AT THE END OF THE POST
The pattern I am introducing today will be a bit of a challenge to beginner sewists, because it comes with princess seams. I have been pondering about posting this advanced pattern as I know many of you are new to sewing, but I figure if you are not confident in working on a more complex project, you can always save it for later when you master your skills.
This dress features a sexy V neckline, a pencil silhouette and mermaid fluted hem. I love mermaid dresses – look how it compliments your curves! Become a head turner in a party in this gorgeous Tisha dress!
Let’s look at it in different prints and colors:
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 zipper
- Scissors, pencil or fabric marker, ruler, pins
- Sewing machine/Serger or needle and thread
- Printed pattern
What fabric can be used for this project? This design is made for woven fabric, but you can make it with knitted fabric with less stretchiness. I find that brocade with its special texture is a great choice of fabric for this pattern.
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.
For this pattern, you will need to use a sewing machine that has the function to sew stretch fabric (zig zag stitch for example), or use a serger which is designed to sew stretch fabric nicely.
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:
- Center Front Bodice: cut 2
- Side Front Bodice: cut 2
- Center Back Bodice: cut 2
- Side Back Bodice: cut 2
- Center Front Skirt: cut 2
- Side Back Skirt: cut 2
- Center Back Skirt: cut 2
- Side Front Skirt: cut 2
- Neckline Binding: cut 1 on bias
- Armhole Binding: cut 2 on bias
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. It is extremely important in this case as the princess seam requires a lot of attention.
Sewing instruction:
1. Serge/zig zag stitch the raw edge to prevent fabric from unraveling.
2. Place one Center Front Bodice and its corresponding Side Front Bodice right side facing, matching the notches, pin and sew to join. Do the same with the other side.
3. Place two front bodice pieces right side facing. Pin and sew to get the Front Bodice.
4. Place one Center Back Bodice and its corresponding Side Back Bodice right side facing, matching the notches, pin and sew to join. Do the same with the other side.
5. Place the Front Bodice and one piece of Back Bodice right side facing. Pin and sew the shoulder seam and side seams. You get the Bodice piece.
6. Use similar method in previous steps to get the Skirt piece.
7. Place Bodice and Skirt pieces right side facing. Make sure to match all the seams on the Bodice and Skirt. Pin and sew to join and get the Main Garment.
8. Attach invisible zipper to the back of the garment and finish the back center seam.
9. Use bias binding to finish the neckline and armholes.
10. Hem the garment and give it a good iron.
And here is the download link:
TISHA MERMAID DRESS (SIZE XXS-5XL)
Happy sewing! And don’t forget to share your project on my Facebook page: Tiana’s Closet Sewing Patterns
Tiana
