DIY elasticated bandeau dress tutorial

12 Jan

This pattern is for individual home use only. The purchase of this pattern does not entitle you to print, copy or distribute the pattern. Profiting from this pattern or selling garments made from this pattern is not permitted. Please respect the designer.

What you’ll need

Ruler
Fabric chalk
Pins
Matching thread
Scissors
Safety pin
6mm wide elastic
Fabric

Please play around with the measurements and adjust as much as you like, this is what I found to work for me.

Drafting the facing:

Measure your bust circumference (mine was 84cm).
Add 30cm for gathering (84+30=114cm), this is measurement A.
The length is 24cm.
Using a ruler and fabric chalk mark this on your chosen fabric and cut out.

This step is a good way to visualise the placement of the elastic channels.
Starting from the top, measure 2cm down and draw three horizontal lines that are 1cm apart.
Leave a 4cm gap. Then draw three horizontal lines that are 1cm apart.
Leave a 4cm gap. Then draw three horizontal lines that are 1cm apart.
Leave a 4cm gap. Then draw three horizontal lines that are 1cm apart.

Drafting the dress:

Use the same calculated bust circumference you used for the facing (mine was 114cm), this is measurement A.
Measure from your chest (where the neckline will sit) down to your desired length. Add 1cm for the hem, this is measurement B (mine was 141cm. For reference I am 170cm / 5′7″ in height).
Using a ruler and fabric chalk mark this on your chosen fabric and cut out.

Instructions:

Finish the bottom edge of the facing.

With right sides together, place the facing on top of the dress. Pin the neckline (measurement A) together and sew with 1cm seam allowance.

Flip the facing so that the wrong sides are touching and the seam allowance is now hidden. Press.

Pin on the right side of the facing, this will help it from moving when sewing. On the right side of the facing sew directly on top of your chalk lines to make the elastic channels.

Using your bust circumference (mine was 84cm) minus it by 20cm (84-20=64cm) this is your elastic length for each channel. Cut out 8.

Use a safety pin to thread the elastic through the small channels and pin the ends to secure.

Once all the elastic has been threaded through stitch down the open edges with 1cm seam allowance to lock the elastic in place.

Finish the side seam raw edges.

Next work out where you’d like the leg split to start. Measure from your underarm down to where you want the split to start. Mark this spot on your dress (mine was 57cm).

With right sides together, bring the side seams together. Match up all the channels and sew the side seams together with 1cm seam allowance down to the leg split mark.