SIZES DRESS A

6-32 FRONT

US 4-30
RUS 40-66

BACK

DRESS B
FRONT

BACK

2 варианта
рукава и
карманы
сборочка на
талии и
летящая
юбка
 Sew a chic yet comfortable tea dress with a gathered
waist, two sleeve options and a statement collar.

PACK INCLUDES based on your bust measurement if you

QPattern sheets x4 fall between sizes, as the rest of the
QInstruction sheet garment is non-fitted.
QSizes 6-16 have been drafted with a B
YOU WILL NEED cup bodice, and sizes 18-32 have been
Sizes 6–16 (150cm wide fabric only): drafted with a D cup bodice.
Q4mx150cm for Dress A QThe 18-32 size band has a wider bicep
Q4.5mx150cm for Dress B and deeper armhole.
QInterfacing: 50x90cm QTIP: for a round tummy in the higher
Sizes 18–32 (150cm wide fabric only): sizes, add three inches to the hem.
Q4.9mx150cm for Dress A
Q5.4mx150cm for Dress B RECOMMENDED FABRICS
QInterfacing: 50x90cm QViscose, linen, chambray, double gauze,
For all styles: crepe de chine, light to medium weight
Q2cm wide elastic enough for two cuffs rayon, Tencel, bamboo.
QHook and eye QFor beginners, try a cotton poplin or
QMatching thread lawn for a crisp summer dress that’s easy
QBasic sewing kit to handle under the machine.
QFor a luxury look, why not try a lovely
silk dupion, velvet or even a medium
NOTES
weight broderie anglaise.
QWe strongly suggest you pick your
size

к европейскому размеру прибавляем 6

SIZE UK 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32
US 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30
Европа 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54 56 58 60

cm 79 84 89 94 99 106 113 120 125 130 135 140 145 150

TO FIT
BUST
in 31 33 35 37 39 42 45 47 49 51 53 55 57 59

cm 58 63 68 73 78 85 92 99 104 109 114 119 124 129

TO FIT
WAIST
in 23 25 28 29 31 34 36 39 41 43 45 47 49 51

cm 86 91 96 101 106 113 120 127 132 137 142 147 152 157
TO FIT
HIPS
in 34 36 38 40 42 45 47 50 52 54 56 58 60 62

WWW.GATHERED.HOW/SIMPLYSEWING
© Printed in the UK for Simply Sewing. Designed by Caroline Akselson and Alexandra Bruce.
Supplied by Our Media Ltd (an Immediate Group Company), Bristol, BS1 4ST.
For individual, private use only and not for commercial or manufacturing purposes. Not for resale.
 thE alexan
FINISHED GARMENT FITTED MEASUREMENTS
SIZE UK 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32
US 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30
EUR 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54 56 58 60

cm 100.2 105.2 110.2 115.2 120.2 125.2 133.8 138.8 143.8 148.8 153.8 158.8 163.8 168.8
BUST
in 39½ 41½ 433⁄8 453⁄8 473⁄8 493⁄8 525⁄8 545⁄8 565⁄8 58½ 60½ 62½ 64½ 66½

cm 96.2 101.2 106.2 111.2 116.2 121.2 125.2 130.2 135.2 140.2 145.2 150.2 155.2 160.2
WAIST
in 377⁄8 397⁄8 417⁄8 437⁄8 45¾ 47¾ 493⁄8 51¼ 53¼ 55¼ 571⁄8 591⁄8 611⁄8 63

cm 122 127 132 137 142 147 153 158 163 168 173 178 183 188
HIPS
in 48 50 52 54 56 58 60¼ 62¼ 64 66 68 70 72 74

BICEP SLEEVE cm 34.2 35.8 37.4 39 40.6 42.2 47.6 49.2 50.8 52.4 54 55.6 57.2 58.8
B AND A in 13½ 14 14¾ 153⁄8 16 165⁄8 18¾ 193⁄8 20 205⁄8 21¼ 217⁄8 22½ 231⁄8

cm 65.4 65.9 66.4 66.9 67.4 67.9 68.1 68.6 69.1 69.6 70.1 70.6 71.1 71.6
SLEEVE
LENGTH B in 25¾ 26 261⁄8 263⁄8 26½ 26¾ 267⁄8 27 27¼ 27½ 275⁄8 277⁄8 28 281⁄8

cm 45.7 46.2 46.7 47.2 47.7 48.2 48.3 48.8 49.3 49.8 50.3 50.8 51.3 51.8
SLEEVE
LENGTH A in 18 181⁄8 183⁄8 18½ 18¾ 19 19 19¼ 19½ 195⁄8 197⁄8 20 20¼ 203⁄8

CUTTING LAYOUTS
DRESS A&B (SIZES 6-16)
150CM WIDE; 4.5m (0.5M LESS FOR SLEEVE A)
DRESS A&B (SIZES 18-32)
150CM WIDE; 5.4m (0.5M LESS FOR SLEEVE A)
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.
F
G Machine tack: Use a long stitch length to hold a section in place. Don’t backstitch
D D at the start and end.
G
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
SELVEDGE

FOLD

and placing it down again. Ironing is the movement of sliding the iron back and
F
forth to remove creases.
G
C Understitch: Stitch close to the seam line usually on the side that will be on the
C
SELVEDGE

G inside of the garment such as the facing. This will hold the seam allowance in place
FOLD

when the garment is worn.

Stay stitch: Stitching in areas prone to stretching such as necklines to hold the
fabric in shape while it is being worked on.
A A A 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
SELVEDGE

A A A a pattern before the real fabric is used. Known as a muslin in the US.
FOLD
FOLD

For more sewing terms, visit gathered.how/sewing-glossary

CUTTING OUT
B B

B B
SELVEDGE

B B
FOLD

FOLD

B B
Step one From the main fabric, cut:
Front Bodice (A): Two on fold
Back Yoke (B): Two pairs
E Front Skirt (C): One on the fold
E Back Skirt (D): One on the fold
SELVEDGE
SELVEDGE

Sleeve (E): One pair using cutting line for dress A or B

Collar (F): Two pairs
SELVEDGE

SELVEDGE

E Pocket Bag (G): Two pairs

Step two From the interfacing, cut:
E
Collar (F): One pair 01

PREPARATION
Step one Stay stitch the neckline of both Front Bodice pieces 1cm from the raw

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ndra dress
01 02 03

04 05 06

edge. Repeat this process on the curved waistline of the Front Bodices. One of the Collar pieces with a 1cm seam allowance.
these pieces will act as the lining. Step four Place the Collar pieces on the dress neckline the way it will look when
Step two Mark out your darts on the Front Bodice and pin in place with the finished. Use the centre front notch on the neckline for a central placement.
fabric RS together. Now pin evenly along the neckline to hold the Collar in position. Stitch in place
Step three Start stitching at the side seam, backstitch, going in the direction of slightly within the seam allowance. 04
the dart point. Run a few stitches off the fabric when you have reached the
point, without backstitching, then tie the loose threads by hand. Repeat for the DRESS – LINING
lining. Press both bust darts down towards the bottom of the bodice. Repeat If you would like an alternative closure at the back, such as a button and loop
for the lining. 01 or two ribbons, you will need to do so at this stage.
Step four Take a pair of Yoke pieces (one left, one right) and match the shoulder Step one Pin the assembled dress lining to the garment’s neckline by aligning
seams to the Front Bodice shoulder seams, RS together. Sew, then press the the necklines and the centre back edges of the Yoke, RS together. 05
seam allowances open without finishing off the edges. 02 Step two If you have attached the Collar, the Collar is now sandwiched in
Step five Take the other pair of Yoke pieces (one left, one right) and match the between the garment and the lining. Match the shoulder seams, centre front
shoulder seams to the second Front Bodice/Lining, RS together. Iron the seam and centre back first, then pin in between and sew with a regular seam
allowances open without finishing off the edges. You should now have two allowance around the neckline as well as the centre back edges of the Yoke. 06
sets of identical looking bodices in front of you – one outer and one lining. Step three Sew around the pinned edge, pivoting at the yoke corner.
Step four Trim the seam allowance to 5mm and snip into the neckline’s curved
COLLAR seam allowance. Cut the corners of the centre back off diagonally. Turn the
Step one Interface one pair of Collar pattern pieces using an interfacing with lining to the inside and press by rolling the seam of the neckline slightly
a similar weight to your fabric choice. Make sure the interfacing is glue side inwards. Use plenty of steam for a crisp finish. Understitch all around the
down (this will feel grainy) on the WS of your fabric. Press the interfacing in neckline, as close to the centre back as you can.
place using the manufacturer’s instructions.
Step two Lay your Collar pieces RS together. Pin in place and sew along the DRESS BODICE ONLY – LINING
outside edge of the pattern piece, pivoting at the centre front points of the Step one Machine tack the waist of the outer and inner front bodice together
Collar. Once sewn, trim the seam allowance down to 5mm and cut diagonally and do the same with the bottom edges of the back Yokes. Use a 1cm seam
across the corners of the Collar points to get crisp points. 03 allowance. Also machine tack the armhole section and the side seam so that it’s
Step three Turn your Collar pieces RS out, using a bamboo pointer to poke out easier to handle. Your dress bodice can now be handled like a unit. 07
the front corners for a crisp finish. Press the Collar by rolling the seam slightly Step two From the outside of your garment, stitch in the ditch of the shoulder
towards the under Collar for a neat finish. Tack around the open neck edges of seam, catching the shoulder seam of the lining to hold it in place.

WWW.GATHERED.HOW/SIMPLYSEWING
 thE alexan
07 08 09

13 14 15

BACK SKIRT waist seam. Pin, then sew and overlock the seam allowances. 11
Step one Sew two lines of gather stitches along the top edge of the Back Skirt. Step six Sew the side seams but don’t sew across the straight pocket opening if
With RS together, match the top edge of the Skirt to the bottom edge of the you have inserted pockets! Pivot as you sew and stitch around the Pocket bag
Yoke. Make sure the Yoke is centrally positioned, pin, then stitch. The edges of Press the Pockets towards the front of the dress. 12
the Yoke should match edge to edge, not overlap. The back of the garment is
now in one piece. Press the seam allowances down towards the skirt and DRESS B – ONE-PIECE BISHOP SLEEVE
overlock them together. 08 Step one Sew two lines of gathering stitches around the Sleeve head.
Step two Sew two lines of gather stitches along the waist of the Front Skirt. Step two Pin the underarm seam RS together. Sew, then press the seam
Sew one line on top of the pattern line and one within. Lay the waist of the allowances towards the back of the Sleeve and overlock together. Fold the hem
Front Skirt to the waist of the Front Bodice, RS together. Pin the side edges into of the Sleeve up by 1cm, press, then by 2.5cm and press. Pin and sew along the
position, then match up the centre front of the Skirt to the centre front of the folded edge of the channel, leaving a gap to feed your elastic through.
bodice. Once these three pins are in place, carefully pull the gather threads on Step three Cut your elastic to your desired length (allow for an overlap so you
both sides of the Skirt to create even and neat gathers. Pin in place as well as can sew the edges together) and add a safety pin to one end. Using your safety
you can (with lots of vertical pins), sew and press the seam allowances pin, move your elastic through the channel.
upwards. Overlock together. Step four Once the elastic is through, overlap the edges of the elastic (making
Step three If adding pockets, first overlock all four side seams of the dress. sure it’s not twisted inside the channel) and pin them together.
Overlock around the curved edges of all four pocket pieces (not the straight Step five Stitch in place using a zigzag. 13
edges). Lay each of the four Pocket pieces between the notches on the side Step six Topstitch the remaining gap of the channel shut.
seams of the Skirt Front and Back, RS together. The Pocket bag should be lying Step seven Stitch two lines of gathering stitches along the Sleeve head. Pin the
entirely within the skirt. You should have one on each side seam of the Front underarm seam with RS together. Sew, then press the seam towards the back.
Skirt, and one on each side seam of the Back Skirt. Stitch the straight edge of Overlock the raw edges together.
the Pocket bag in place on the side seams using a 1cm seam allowance. 09 Step eight Matching the notches, pin the Sleeve into the armhole with the
Step four Flip the Pocket bag out so it’s lying outside of the skirt and press the fabric RS together. Turn the bodice inside out to do this. Start by matching the
seams towards the Pocket bag. You can understitch the seam allowance of the underarm Sleeve seam to the bodice side seam. Pin in place, gather the Sleeve
side seam to the Pocket bag. Your stitch line should sit a few millimetres next to head, and sew around the armhole. Press the seam allowances towards the
the seam, on the side of the pocket. 10 Sleeve and overlock the seam allowances together. 14
Step five Turn the dress WS out. Pin the side seams on both sides of the
garment, pivoting and pinning around the Pocket bags if you have chosen to DRESS A – FRILL EDGE SLEEVE
insert them. Note that the back Yoke does not line up with the Front Bodice Step one Sew two lines of gathering stitches around the Sleeve head. Pin the

WWW.GATHERED.HOW/SIMPLYSEWING
ndra dress
10 11 12

16 17 18

underarm seam RS together. Sew, then press the seam allowances towards the
back of the Sleeve and overlock together. 15
Step two Fold the Sleeve hem to the WS by 1cm and press. Fold the Sleeve up
again to the fold line on your pattern (or to your personal taste – more will
shorten your sleeve, less will lengthen your sleeve) and press. Pin the folded
frill section in place on the inside of the Sleeve and press the hem of the frill for
a neat finish. Little tucks will appear along the pinned edge – this is okay! Sew
these flat – they will not be visible. 16
Step three Sew along the top of the frill, leaving a gap that you will need to fit
your elastic through later. Measure 1.5cm down from the top edge of the frill to
create a channel for your elastic. Stitch on this 1.5cm line all around the Sleeve.
Step four Cut your elastic to your desired length (allow for an overlap so you
can sew the edges together) and add a safety pin to one end. Using your safety
pin, move your elastic through the channel. Once the elastic is through, overlap
the edges of the elastic (making sure it’s not twisted) and pin.
Step five Stitch in place using a zigzag stitch.
Step six Topstitch the remaining gap of the channel shut. Insert the sleeves
following step eight of Dress B's sleeve (in the previous section).

FINISHING
Step one Hand sew a hook and eye at the top of the back Yoke to close it. The
hook should sit entirely within the garment; it should not be visible from the
RS. Make sure you anchor the hook well for secure attachment. The eye should
extend a few millimetres from the centre back edge. Make sure you anchor
both rounded points of the eye for secure attachment. 17
Step two Press the hem to the inside of the dress/blouse by 1.5cm. Press up
WWW.GATHERED.HOW/SIMPLYSEWING
again by 1.5cm and pin. Alternatively, you could overlock the raw edge and sew
© Printed in the UK for Simply Sewing magazine. Designed by Caroline Akselson and Alexandra
a single 3cm hem. 18 Bruce. Supplied by Our Media Ltd (an Immediate Group Company), Bristol, BS1 4ST. For
Step three Stitch the hem in place close to the folded edge. individual, private use. Not for commercial/manufacturing purposes. Not for resale.

WWW.GATHERED.HOW/SIMPLYSEWING
 HOW TO PRINT THIS PATTERN
Print out the following pages on A4 paper at 100%.
Overlap the red lines and tape the sheets in place using the guide below.

TEST10x10cm
SQUARe
SHEET 1 OF 5 SHEET 3 OF 5

101 106 111 116 121 126

SIZE KEY SIZE KEY

D
THE Alexandra DRESS
Back Skirt
Cut two on fold PART A (Join to PART B before cutting out fabric)
Cut one on fold

102 107 112 117 122 127

Front Bodice
THE Alexandra DRESS
A

103 108 113 118 123 128

TEST10x10cm
SQUARe
E
THE Alexandra DRESS
Sleeve

E
PART B (Join to PART A before cutting out fabric)
Cut one pair

THE Alexandra DRESS

104 Sleeve
PART A (Join to PART B before cutting out fabric)
Cut one pair
109 114 119 124 129

SHEET 2 OF 5

105 110 115 120 125 130

SIZE KEY

TEST10x10cm
SQUARe

SHEET 4 OF 5
Cut one on fold

131 136 141 146

PART B (Join to PART A before cutting out fabric)
Front Skirt SIZE KEY
THE Alexandra DRESS
C
B
THE Alexandra DRESS
Back Yoke
Cut two pairs

TEST10x10cm
SQUARe
132 137 142 147
PART B (Join to PART A before cutting out fabric)

TEST10x10cm
SQUARe
THE Alexandra DRESS
Cut one on fold

Back Skirt

D
DRESS
Pock o pairs
xandra g
et Ba
tw

133 138 143 148

G
Cut
THE Ale

SHEET 5 OF 5

SIZE KEY

F
THE Alexandra DRE

134 139 144 149

Collar (size SS
PART A (Join to PART B before cutting out fabric)

Cut two 18-32)

pairs in fabri
Cut 1 pair c
in interfacin
g
THE Alexandra DRESS
Cut one on fold

Front Skirt

135 140 145 F

THE Alexandra DRE
Collar (size
Cut two pairs 6-16)
Cut 1 pair in fabric
SS 150
in interfacing
 E
THE Alexandra DRESS
Sleeve
PART A (Join to PART B before cutting out fabric)
Cut one pair
 WWW.GATHERED.HOW/SIMPLYSEWING

© Printed in the UK for Simply Sewing. Designed by Caroline Akselson and Alexandra
Bruce. Supplied by Our Media Ltd (an Immediate Group Company), Bristol, BS1 4ST.
To be used for individual, private home use. Not for
commercial or manufacturing purposes. Not for resale.

SHEET 1 OF 5
Pattern sheets are printed double sided –
you’ll need to trace your pattern pieces onto
pattern paper rather than cutting out directly
from this sheet. Find our guide to pattern tracing
at gathered.how/tracing-patterns. Scan the QR
code to head to that page.

SIZE KEY
SQUARe
TEST10x10cm
 A
THE Alexandra DRESS
Front Bodice
Cut two on fold
 WWW.GATHERED.HOW/SIMPLYSEWING

© Printed in the UK for Simply Sewing. Designed by Caroline Akselson and Alexandra
Bruce. Supplied by Our Media Ltd (an Immediate Group Company), Bristol, BS1 4ST.
To be used for individual, private home use. Not for
commercial or manufacturing purposes. Not for resale.

SHEET 2 OF 5
Pattern sheets are printed double sided –
you’ll need to trace your pattern pieces onto
pattern paper rather than cutting out directly
from this sheet. Find our guide to pattern tracing
at gathered.how/tracing-patterns. Scan the QR
code to head to that page.

SIZE KEY

SQUARe
TEST10x10cm
E
 E
THE Alexandra DRESS
Sleeve
PART B (Join to PART A before cutting out fabric)
Cut one pair
D
 D
THE Alexandra DRESS
Back Skirt
PART A (Join to PART B before cutting out fabric)
Cut one on fold
 SQUARe
TEST10x10cm
 SQUARe
TEST10x10cm
 WWW.GATHERED.HOW/SIMPLYSEWING

© Printed in the UK for Simply Sewing. Designed by Caroline Akselson and Alexandra
Bruce. Supplied by Our Media Ltd (an Immediate Group Company), Bristol, BS1 4ST.
To be used for individual, private home use. Not for
commercial or manufacturing purposes. Not for resale.

SHEET 3 OF 5
Pattern sheets are printed double sided –
you’ll need to trace your pattern pieces onto
pattern paper rather than cutting out directly
from this sheet. Find our guide to pattern tracing
at gathered.how/tracing-patterns. Scan the QR
code to head to that page.

SIZE KEY
 C
THE Alexandra DRESS
Front Skirt
PART B (Join to PART A before cutting out fabric)
Cut one on fold
 WWW.GATHERED.HOW/SIMPLYSEWING

© Printed in the UK for Simply Sewing. Designed by Caroline Akselson and Alexandra
Bruce. Supplied by Our Media Ltd (an Immediate Group Company), Bristol, BS1 4ST.
To be used for individual, private home use. Not for
commercial or manufacturing purposes. Not for resale.

SHEET 4 OF 5
Pattern sheets are printed double sided –
you’ll need to trace your pattern pieces onto
pattern paper rather than cutting out directly
from this sheet. Find our guide to pattern tracing
at gathered.how/tracing-patterns. Scan the QR
code to head to that page.

SIZE KEY
 SQUARe
TEST10x10cm
 C
THE Alexandra DRESS
Front Skirt
PART A (Join to PART B before cutting out fabric
Cut one on fold
dra DRESS
ore cutting out fabric)
n fold
 B
THE Alexandra DRESS
Back Yoke
Cut two pairs
 Cut two pairs

SQUARe
TEST10x10cm
 SQUARe
TEST10x10cm RESS
ag
et B
andra D

WWW.GATHERED.HOW/SIMPLYSEWING
G
Pock pairs

© Printed in the UK for Simply Sewing. Designed by Caroline Akselson and Alexandra
Bruce. Supplied by Our Media Ltd (an Immediate Group Company), Bristol, BS1 4ST.
To be used for individual, private home use. Not for
commercial or manufacturing purposes. Not for resale.

SHEET 5 OF 5
Pattern sheets are printed double sided –
HE Alex

you’ll need to trace your pattern pieces onto

pattern paper rather than cutting out directly
from this sheet. Find our guide to pattern tracing
at gathered.how/tracing-patterns. Scan the QR
code to head to that page.

SIZE KEY
 F
THE Alexandra D
Collar (si
Cut two
ze 18-32
)
RESS
pairs in f
Cut 1 pai abric
r in inter
facing
 D
THE Alexand Back Sk
PART B (Join to PART A bef
Cut one o
 D
HE Alexandra DRESS
Back Skirt
oin to PART A before cutting out fabric)
Cut one on fold

Cut
tw
Pock o pairs THE Ale
et B
ag
xandra
D
ESS
 F
THE Alexandra DRE
Collar (siz
Cut two p
e 6-16)
SS
airs in fab
Cut 1 pair ric
in interfac
ing
 SIZES CULOTTES
6-22 FRONT

US 4-20
EUR 34-50

Invisible zip
and pockets
BACK

Wide-fit for both

comfort and style

EXCLUSIVE PATTERN FROM