How to Sew an A-line Dress With Pockets in a Few Simple Steps
Hot steamy summer days? You need this comfortable DIY A-line dress with pockets. This light breezy dress features a lining so you’re not too exposed and yes, pockets!
If you wanted to know how to sew an A-line dress, this tutorial will show you the best way to do it. Let’s get started sewing your A-line dress at home.
Tools and materials:
- Free pattern
- 1 ½ yards fabric
- 1 ½ yards lining
- Pins
- Tailor’s chalk
- Ruler/measuring tape
- Scissors
- Sewing machine
- Serger
- Iron
The tutorial shows a linen outer fabric and a cotton lining. Other fabric suggestions are poplin, cotton, silk, and viscose. The pattern is in size 4 so you may want to make adjustments based on your size and measurements.
1. Assemble the pieces
Download and print the pattern. Lay the pattern on the fabric and cut out the pieces of the outer fabric and lining. Cut out the pockets and bias tape. You’ll use the same technique for assembling the outer and lining fabric.
Start with the lining first. Pin the shoulders and side seams. Sew with a straight stitch. Serge the shoulders and side seams.
Fold in the bottom twice by ¼ inch. Pin and sew down the hem.
Serge both the outer fabric panels along the shoulders and side seams. Set aside for now.
2. Make the pockets
Serge the two pocket pieces on 3 sides, leaving the top untouched.
Using your tape measure or ruler, measure down 2 inches from the top on either edge and mark. Mark across with a horizontal line.
Fold down the top by ¼ inch. Flatten with your finger as you press it down.
The fold down to the horizontal line. Fold the serged edges in. Press with the iron to flatten all the folds.
Topstitch the fold in place. Repeat for the second pocket.
3. Attach the pockets
Lay the front panel of the outer fabric on a flat surface. Use your measuring tape to mark about 20 inches from the inner shoulder edge down in a diagonal to the side seam on each side. Mark.
Fold the pocket so the sewn top is on the inside and place right at the mark. Have the unfolded edge of the pocket on the side seam. Pin in place. Sew the pocket into position on the front panel.
4. Sew the dress
Pin the front and back of the outer fabric right sides together. Sew the shoulders with a straight stitch. Sew the side seams. Press the seams open. Turn the dress to the right side.
Open the pockets to go across the side seams. Pin in place. Press flat.
Sew close to the edge on the bottom.
Pin the inside corners of the pocket. Sew the inside of the pocket to secure to the dress.
5. Hem the dress
Double fold a 2 inch hem. Press flat. Sew into position.
6. Attach the lining
Place the lining right sides together. Slip the lining inside of the dress so their wrong sides are touching. Match up the seams at the shoulder.
Pin the lining at the neckline. Match the armholes. Pin the lining to each of the armholes. Sew across the neckline and armholes with a straight stitch.
7. Finish the dress
Fold the neckline and armhole bias strips in half and press flat. Fold in the short end by ¼ inch and then refold the strip.
Pin the bias strips to the neckline and armhole with the unfolded edge of the strip touching the raw edges. Cut any excess.
Match up the short edges of the bias strips and sew across. Press the tiny seam flat with your fingers and then fold over the bias strip.
Sew the bias strip down right at the raw edge.
Topstitch the bias strips into position. Stretch the fabric as needed.
Once that’s done, turn the bias strip to the wrong side of the fabric. Topstitch it down.
How to sew an A-line dress with pockets
You’ve just made a beautiful comfortable DIY A-line dress with pockets. Please let me know in the comments if you made it and how comfortable it is.
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Absolutely Not! Not at all flattering and looks like a rag fit for nothing but dusters.
Thanks so much! ❤️