Sew this versatile cocoon dress with roomy pockets as a wardrobe staple to see you through the seasons.
PACK INCLUDES
■ Pattern sheets x 2
■ Instruction sheet
YOU WILL NEED
■ 2.5m x 150cm wide fabric
■ Masking tape
■ Matching thread
■ Basic sewing kit
FABRIC SUGGESTIONS
■ Stretch fabrics such as French terry or fleece back sweatshirting
CUTTING LAYOUTS
STITCHING TERMS
RS/WS: Right side/wrong side of the fabric. The right side usually has the print, design or texture and the wrong side is usually plain or duller in appearance.
Machine tack: Use a long stitch length to hold a section in place. Don’t backstitch at the start and end.
Finish the seams: Finish the raw edges with a zigzag stitch or an overlocker.
Press: Pressing fabric is placing the iron down, holding it for a few seconds, lifting it and placing it down again. Ironing is sliding the iron back and forth.
Understitch: Stitch close to the seam line usually on the side that will be on the inside of the garment such as the facing. This will hold the seam allowance in place when the garment is worn.
Staystitch: Stitching in areas prone to stretching, such as necklines, to hold the fabric in shape while it is being worked on.
Topstitch: Stitching usually from the right side of the garment to hold seam allowances in place or can be used for decorative purposes.
Toile: A test garment, often made from calico or muslin, to check the fit or test a pattern before the real fabric is used. Known as a muslin in the US.
For more sewing terms and a full glossary, visit gathered.how/sewing-glossary
STITCHING NOTES
■ Pin or tack the main pieces together first to check the fit. Mark any alterations needed before starting to sew.
■ Stitch all seams with right sides together.
■ All seam allowances are 1cm unless otherwise stated.
■ Insert a jersey needle in your machine and use a stretch stitch machine setting. Jersey fabric doesn’t tend to fray, so either leave the edges unfinished or use an overlocker to finish them.
■ Highlight the required size lines with a coloured pen before cutting out.
■ Stick pieces of masking tape indicating the front and back sections of the sleeve and the front side pieces, which makes it easier to identify them.
CUTTING OUT
Step one From the main fabric cut: Front 1: one on fold Back 2: one on fold Side Front 3: one pair Side Back 4: one pair Sleeve 5: one pair Pocket 6: two pairs Neckband 7: one
HOW TO MAKE DRESS
JOINING THE SIDE FRONT & BACK TO THE SLEEVES
Step one With right sides (RS) together, pin the Side Fr
