Closet Core Patterns Cielo Dress Tutorial

Tools and materials:

• Cielo dress pattern
• Woven fabric
• Scissors
• Pins
• Sewing machine
• Serger

Cut

Cut out the pattern pieces as shown in the video from 1:21-1:38.

Sew darts

Begin construction by aligning the dart notches, pinning them in place, and sewing them down. When sewing the darts, don’t backstitch at the beginning or end of the stitching, and leave a tail of thread on either end.

Tie and press

Tie off the threads on the inner dart points, then press the seams of the darts flat.

Pin

Pin the curved edges of the dress front and pocket pieces together.

Create pockets

Draw straight lines between the pocket markings to help you know where to sew. Start sewing across the fabric, backstitching a few times before and after the openings to help secure it.

Then sew down the curved edge, and serge the seam allowance.

Press and baste

Fold the pocket piece down, and press it flat. Then use a basting stitch to sew the pocket piece and front dress piece together at the sides. 

Pin, sew, and serge

With right sides together, pin and sew the back shoulder pieces to the back of the dress. Then serge the seam allowances.

Press

Press the seam allowances upwards.

Understitch/topstitch

If you prefer the look, you can understitch or topstitch the yoke seams, but it’s not necessary for construction.

Pin, sew, serge, and press

Pin and sew the front and back dress pieces at the shoulders, and then serge the seam allowances. Press the seams towards the back of the dress.

Staystitch

Sew a straight stitch all around the neckline to prevent the curve of the neckline from becoming misshapen. This is called a staystitch. 

Trim

Trim ¼-inch off the neckline.

Fold and press

Fold in one end of the neck bias piece by ½ an inch, and press it down.

Pin

Starting with the folded end of the neckline bias at the center back, pin the bias binding to the neckline, right sides together.  

Sew

Sew around the neckline, leaving a ¼-inch seam allowance.

Cut

Make small cuts within the seam allowance all around the neckline.

Press and understitch

Press the bias binding towards the seam, and then understitch the binding all around the neckline.

Fold and press

Fold the binding inward along the stitch line, and press it flat.

Fold, pin, and sew

Double fold and pin the binding all around the neckline, then sew it down.

Gather the sleeves

Sew two lines of long stitches between the notches on the sleeve. Do not backstitch at the beginning or end of the stitches. Then pull the thread to gather the fabric.

Pin, sew, and serge

Match the notches along the edges of the sleeves and the bodice, and pin them together. Sew the sleeves to the bodice, and then serge the seam allowances.

Pin, sew, and serge the side seams. 

Fold and sew

Fold the sleeve cuffs in half, right sides together, and sew the short ends together.

Cut

Cut a little triangle at the angled point of the seam.

Fold and press

Fold the cuff in half lengthwise, ensuring that the seam inside is lying flat. Then press.

Pin, sew, and serge

Slip the sleeve through the cuff and pin the raw edges together, using the notches as a guide. Then sew the cuff to the sleeve, and serge the seam allowance.

Press and stitch

Press the cuff flat, and understitch or topstitch around the seam.

Hem

Serge the bottom edge of the dress. Then fold the hem to your preferred length, press the hem, and sew it down.

Let me know if you liked this dress sewing tutorial, and if you will be using it to construct your own Cielo dress or top.