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This is the Zoey Dress: A flared sleeve, A-line flowy dress with an easy fit and modern look.

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I was dreaming about making the Heather Top into a dress for the longest time.  I thought it will be a great idea.  So easy to dress!

Now,  I am new to the loose fit dress ( I usually go for the fit and flare style as in the Paula Dress and Barbara Dress) but I wanted to try and see.  So far it is a win!

The pattern features:

A-line Dress

A  hi-low hemline

Short flared sleeves

round neckline

Optional Pocket

What I love about it:

I love how easy the Heather top goes with leggings, distressed jeans and knit skirts.  It has become my favorite to wear daily.  I grab my bag and go to the park with Owen.  Very casual!

Fabric:

I have made this top in a beautiful Cotton Sateen.  I have also tried it with chambray.

It goes well with any light to medium weight fabric with a nice drape.

The pattern file:

This pattern comes in sizes from 4 to 22

A4 and Letter format!

Printing Instructions:

The pages will overlap by 1 inch.  Follow the dotted blue tile lines to put the pattern pieces together

The pattern comes in a PDF document.  After opening it, click in ”print”.  Check that the pattern will be printed in ”actual size” as shown in the image below

Printing layout

Tutorial

It will print 35 pages total.  Please, check the 4” X 4” test square on the first page before printing the rest of the document.

The document comes with a color coded and different line styles so it is easy to know your size, even with a b/w printing.

Size code

Not sure about the size you will need?  Check the Measurement Chart here.

Tutorial

Bodice:

Start by closing the darts:

Bust

Bodice and shoulder.

Press them flat.

Then, place back bodice pieces together, right sides facing and sew along the middle.

Open and press flat.

Now, if you are using a serger, finish the sides of the dress with it.

Then, place front and back bodice together, right sides facing. 

Pin the shoulders together and sew along.

Then, open and press flat.

Now, pin the tunic sides together and sew along.

Leave 1/2 inch open at the bottom so it will make it easier to add the hem band.

Open the side seams and press them flat.

Top stitch the side seam, so they stay in place.  The top stitch should be 1/4 inch from the original seam, on both sides.

Sleeves:

Fold the sleeves in two

Press them open.

Turn the sleeves to the right side of the fabric and pin them to the armhole.

Sew along the armhole 

Press the seams.

Then, fold the sleeve bottom by 1 inch and sew along.

Press flat.

Neckline:  

Fold the neckline band and place the ends as shown in the picture below.  Then, sew a diagonal line from the top left to the bottom right.

Open and press flat.

Trim the excess

And press again

Fold the neckband in two and press

Open again and pin to the neckline.  Remember that the neckband will be at least a 10 to 15% smaller than the neckline so you will need to stretch, specially in the shoulder area.

Now, fold the neckline back and tuck in about 1/4 inch from the edge.

Then, pin it the neckband to the neckline.  The inside of the neckline should be about 1/8 inch longer than the outside neckline seam, so the stitches will sit under the neckline seam.

Hemline:

Fold the sides of the hemline band by 1/4 inch. Sew along.

Press the seams flat.

Then fold the hemline band in two vertically.

Open and pin to the dress.

Sew along.

Now, work on the inside of the hemline band.  Fold the band 3/8 inside and pin.  Sew along and press flat.

Pocket:

Start by folding 1/8 first and then 1 inch to the right side of the pocket.  Sew along.

Turn the pocket to the wrong side and fold the edges by 1/4 inch.  Start with the sides of the pocket.

Sew along and press flat.

Now, fold the bottom, one side at a time.

Sew along and press flat again.

Pin to the dress and sew along  1/8 from the edge of the pocket.

DOWNLOAD THE PATTERN HERE