Sewing instructions for the Wendy dress

Wendy is a slim-fitting slip dress perfect for summer days, evening events, or as a slip under slightly sheer fabrics. To prevent your figure from showing through, you can wear Wendy underneath other garments. Thanks to its bias-cut design, it doesn't need a zipper and drapes beautifully.

Length at the back center = 101-114 cm at the front from the neck shoulder point

Wendy was sewn from polyester satin in this tutorial.

Wendy sewing pattern

Materials needed:

We recommend a thin, flowing fabric, e.g. viscose, polyester or silk.

Sizes 34-42

• Outer fabric 1.70 m (140 cm wide)

Sizes 44-50

• Outer fabric 2.00 m (140 cm wide)

Sizes 34-50

• Folded satin ribbon 2.50 m 2 cm wide (finished)

Cut:

Seam allowances are included - 1cm wide or as indicated by the marking notches!

Cut out the pattern pieces from your outer fabric. Place the fabric right side up. Align the selvedge at a right angle to the opposite selvedge to create a fold on the bias. Always align the grainline arrow in the same direction on all pieces. Transfer all notches from the pattern by making a 3mm snip with scissors or using chalk, and mark the dart ends. Snip the seam allowance at the fold, as this is always the center point. Markings define the positions of dart ends, pocket positions, and more. Transfer these using either chalk or pins.

You will need the following fabric:

1x front piece cut on the fold (slanted grain)

1x back piece cut on the fold (slanted grain)

Sewing instructions:

Seam allowances are included - 1cm wide or as indicated by the marking notches!

To sew this dress you will need a sewing machine and an overlock sewing machine, or alternatively the zigzag stitch of your sewing machine to finish the cut edges.

Make sure you use a thin, new sewing machine needle. The colored lines in the pictures, in addition to the written instructions, show you where to sew a seam or glue something.
When sewing, pay attention to the seam allowance included in the pattern. Seam allowances not specifically marked are 1 cm wide!
Have fun sewing!

We begin by sewing the bust darts, which are included in the pattern from size 40 onwards.

A simple, straight dart is sewn on the wrong side of the fabric, following the exact transfer of the pattern and paying close attention to the markings. Snip to notch, starting at the widest point and tapering neatly towards the point (so the dart doesn't bunch up), and then sewn. Beforehand, draw a line with tailor's chalk to ensure you sew correctly and that the side seam finishes straight.
To avoid having to lock the stitching at the top, you can sew the last centimeter with a very small stitch.

You iron the dart filling upwards.

Next, iron the hem according to the instructions.

Close the side seam right sides together, neaten the seam allowance together and iron towards the back.

Measure the armhole and back edge of the pattern! Mark the double-folded binding tape according to the lengths and pin it to the dress, starting at one strap end. Due to the bias grain, the dress may need to be longer; this must be maintained evenly. A basting stitch can be added at 7mm as a guide. Then topstitch the binding tape close to the edge and press.

Now measure the length of the first strap, the front neckline, and the second strap according to the pattern. Mark these distances on the binding tape and cut the tape accordingly. Pin the tape to the dress along the marked lines, ensuring any extra length is evenly distributed.

Fold the end of the support over to the right side and then turn it over.

Stitch the band securely to the strap and neckline at the front, close to the edge.

Fold the hem over twice and stitch.

Adjust the strap length individually and stitch along the cutting line.

Your Wendy is finished !

If you get stuck or have any questions, please feel free to contact us by email at info@schnittmuster-berlin.de. We will reply as soon as possible. 

Have lots of fun with your new designer piece! 

Sincerely, your Schnittmuster-Berlin team.