Sewing instructions for Olivia wrap dress

April 27, 2018

Who doesn't love them? Casual summer dresses that are simply unparalleled: Our Olivia dress pattern fits perfectly into this category. The slightly dropped shoulders, the gorgeous V-neck created by the wrap front, and the drawstring waist tie are guaranteed to put this pattern at the top of your DIY list. It's crucial that you use a flowing fabric, as the dress is available in a double size and has plenty of room to swing.

The length at the center back is: 96-102 cm, depending on the size.

The wide-cut wrap-style dress with a drawstring around the waist was sewn from a thin cotton fabric in this example.

Required materials:

We recommend a flowing viscose , silk or polyester satin , opaque, as the dress is unlined.

Sizes 34-40: Outer fabric 1.95m (140cm wide)
Sizes 42-50: Outer fabric 2.15m (140cm wide)

Cutting:

Seam allowances are included - 1cm wide or as marked!

Cut the pattern pieces out of fabric and transfer the notches from the pattern. The colored clips in the pictures, in addition to the description, show you where to sew a seam.

1x each front part
1x back part in the fracture
2x skirt part in the fold
2x bag opposite
1x rear tunnel
1x tunnel at the front
1x strip for the neck hole
2x strips for the armholes
1x grosgrain ribbon (2.5cm wide, about 160cm long)

Sewing instructions:

Seam allowances are included - 1cm wide or as marked!

Place the two front pieces right sides together on the back piece and sew the shoulder and side seams. Using the markings on the pattern, leave the bottom section of what will be the left side seam open for the tunnel. It's best to sew the seams with a regular machine and neaten the edges individually.

Iron the seam allowances of the left side seam outwards and stitch the slit for the drawstring.

Close the side seam of the armhole strips, right sides together (blue clips), and then iron the neckline strip, centered, wrong side together, as shown in the image above. Pin the ironed neckline strip, right side facing, to the left front edge of the top and sew it in place. Start at the bottom of one front piece, sew around the neckline of the back piece, and finish at the bottom of the other front piece.

Iron the seam allowance inward and fold the strip over it, completely covering it. Stitch this twice – first close to the edge so the seam allowance can't slip.

...and then 5mm further inward so that the seam allowance is covered. It will look like this.

Do the same with the armhole strips, except that you sew them in a circle. Pin the strip to the armhole, right sides together, so that its side seam meets the dress seam, and sew it all the way around.

Here, too, stitch the strip twice once it's over the seam allowance. Place the two tunnel pieces right sides together and close one side seam.

Fold the two open ends inward twice by 1cm each and stitch them in place close to the edge. Then fold the future top edge inward by 1cm (it's best to place it against your top so that the side seams of the tunnel meet those of the top, so you know which is the top edge). Press this firmly and pin the tunnel, wrong side facing, to the inside of the bottom edge of the top, so that the open edges line up exactly. Start on the right front piece...

...and end at the left side seam. Now stitch the tunnel to the bodice of the dress along the folded top edge, close to the edge. Fold the ends of the folded edge inward to form a small triangle for a neat finish.

Place the upper flap with its wrong side facing the right side of the lower flap, ensuring the front centers line up exactly. Now stitch the two layers together from the front center to the end of the overlap, using the seam of the tunnel.

Next, prepare the skirt pieces. If your fabric is fraying, it's recommended to neaten the side edges of the skirt pieces and the pocket pouches all the way around. Using the markings on the pattern, place one pocket piece, right sides together, on top of each skirt piece and close the seam, stopping 1 cm from the end of the pouch at the bottom. Bar tack the seam. Repeat this with the other three pocket pieces.

Then place the two skirt pieces right sides together and close the side seam. The pockets are folded outward. Starting at the top of the side seam (here: the left, red clip), sew around the pocket and the remaining side seam to the hem. Repeat this on the other side.

Fold the hem of the skirt inward twice by 1 cm, iron it, and pin it in place. Then topstitch it.

Then place your skirt piece, right sides together, into the bodice so that all open edges overlap, and close the entire seam. Turn your dress right side out.

Prepare the grosgrain ribbon by folding both ends inwards by 1cm twice and stitching them close to the edge.