Pretty in Pink: Knee-Length Dress

Tools and materials:

• 2.5 - 3 yards material
• 0.25 yards stay tape
• Sewing thread
• Pattern
• Tape measure
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Serger
• Iron

Cut your fabric 

Check that you have all your pattern pieces and that they’re in the right size. To know exactly what to check on which pattern pieces, check out the video at 1:25. Once you’ve checked all the aspects of your pattern, place them onto your fabric and cut the pieces out (including all the marks and notches). 

Make the darts 

Pin together the two halves of the front piece (right sides together) and sew it together. Next, place your fart on both sides of the front. To do this place a pin on one side, then palace a second on the exact spot on the other side and separate the two front halves. Fold the dart in half (matching the notches of the dart) and pin. Sew the dart following the shape of the bust - this means that it won’t be a straight line but rather a little curved to avoid a pointed dart. Press the dart with the seam allowances folded down to give it the right shape. Press the center seam as well. 

Attach the sleeves 

Place the front and back pieces together (right sides together) and then pin the shoulder seam together, adding the stay tape. Next, pin the side seams. Sew and serge. Repeat the same process (pinning and serging) on the side seams of the sleeves. Press the side seams, shoulder seams, and sleeve seams. Align the right sleeve with the right armhole (based on the notches we added from the pattern) and pin. Turn the sleeve inside out by pulling it through the dress, align the seams, pin around and sew. Press the armhole sleeves. 

Make the neckline 

Sew the neckline band into a circle. Fold in half (wrong sides together) and pin all around. Fold in half one way, mark the center, and then fold the opposite way and mark the centers again - leaving you with four marks. Do the same with the neckline on the dress, marking the four centers. Next, pin the banks to the neckline by matching up the side and center marks. The band should be smaller than the neckline. Pin in between the marks, evenly distributing the ease. Sew and serge the band to the neckline, stretching the band a little so the band fits the neckline. 

Hem the dress 

Serge the hem of the sleeve and the hem of the dress. Next, press the neckline. Use a ruler to mark two inches from the hemline and then fold the hem edge to the mark and pin. Press the folded hem and sew it down. You can hem the sleeve in the same way, but I preferred to roll the fabric up twice (two rolls) and then secure it with a quick stitch at the seam so that it won’t roll down. 

To finish this DIY knee-length dress, simply give it a finishing press. For a fun style, dress your Lisa dress up with some heels, or go for a more casual look with some sneakers. Add a belt or a jacket and really make this style your own!