Ivy Dress + Top Sew Along

Skirt Square

7 — Sewing the Skirt

Posted
18—May 2021

If you are sewing an Ivy Dress, we go over the steps for sewing the skirt in this post.

Ivy Dress + Top Sew Along — 7 — Sewing the Skirt
May 18 2021
19 Pin Side Panels

First, we will construct the skirt back.

With right sides together pin one back skirt side panel to a skirt centre panel, matching the notches. Stitch, and then neaten the seam. Repeat for the other side panel. Press the seams towards the side panels.

21 Gather Skirt To Fit Bodice Back

Run two parallel lines of basting stitches, 6mm apart, at the waist edge of the skirt back. Use the longest stitch your machine has.

Next, pull the bobbin threads to gather the skirt until it is the same width as the waist edge on the bodice back.

12 Pin Pocket To Side Skirt

Now we will sew the skirt front.

Place the pocket bag onto the front skirt side panel with the right sides together and pin together at notches marked ‘pocket opening’. Stitch a box from notch to notch, from the outside edge in towards the pocket bag 1cm. With needle down, turn 90 degrees and continue stitching at 1cm, parallel to the edge. Stitch down to line up with the lower notch, turn back towards outside and stitch towards the edge.

13 Sew And Trim Pocket

Next, mitre into the upper and lower corners of the box by snipping into each corner. Take care not to cut into your stitch line.

15 Press Pocket Opening

Fold entire pocket bag over towards the wrong side of the fabric and press along edge of pocket opening. Under stitch

the pocket opening from corner to corner.

16 Pin Pocket Closed
17 Sew Pocket Closed

Fold the pocket in half, right sides together. Pin the upper and lower pocket edges together, then stitch a 1cm seam across the top of the pocket bag to close it and a 1cm seam around the curved, lower edge of the pocket bag to close the base. Neaten the lower edge only. Baste the pocket to the skirt at the side seam above and below the pocket opening.

Repeat these steps for the other pocket. Remember to sew it as a mirror image so you have a pair!

18 Attach Skirt Panels

With right sides together, pin the unpocketed edge of the left front side panel to the left side of the front centre panel, matching the notches. Sew the seams and then neaten. Repeat for the other front side panel.

Press the seams towards the side seams.

20 Gather Skirt To Fit Bodice

Fold the pocket out of the way then run two parallel lines of basting stitches, 6mm apart, at the waist edge of the skirt front. Use the longest stitch your machine has. Do not catch the pocket with these stitches.

Next, pull the bobbin threads to gather the skirt until it is the same width as the waist edge on the bodice front.

22 Pin Front Back Skirts Together

With the right sides together, pin the skirt front to the skirt back at the side seams.

23 Finished Skirt

Stitch together using a 1cm seam. Take care near the pocket edge not to accidentally catch the pocket opening in this seam. You can either pin it back a little or tuck it out of the way as you get close to it.

Neaten the side seams then press them towards the back.

24 Pin Skirt Inside Bodice

Now it is time to attach the skirt to the bodice!

With the right sides together, pin the skirt to the bodice, matching the notches and distributing the gathers evenly. Then, pin the pockets in place on top of the gathers.

25 Skirt Attached And Overlocked
26 Remove Gathering Stitch

Sew your skirt to the bodice and then neaten the seam.

Remove any visible gathering stitches and then press the seam up, towards the bodice.

27 Hem Skirt

Finally, sew your skirt hem. Fold back the 1cm seam allowance, then fold up another 8cm for the hem. Pin the hem in place, then edge stitch to close.

Give your dress a press, then move on to the finishing touches!

Check out the Ivy Dress + Top pattern in our Online Store here. Don't forget you can always email us via [email protected] if you need advice!

Ivy makes from our wonderful community are also popping up over on Instagram, follow @makebytfs and use #TFSIvyDress or #TFSIvyTop so others can check out your creations!

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