a-line mini

pattern
dress
by Alexia Abegg
Project photo on page 42; instructions
on page 70 of Stitch Summer 2015.

SUMMER 2015

Flattering on every shape and form,

the shift dress is a closet staple in
any century. Channel your inner
Twiggy with this dresss Peter Pan
collar and playful use of color.

Photo by JACK Deutsch

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page 1 of 33
 RIGHT FRONT RIGHT FRONT
cut 2 XXxx
cut 2 XXxx

XL

L
pattern

M
XS
SUMMER 2015 S
M

S
L

XS
XL

Getting Started Basic techniques and terms

youll need to know for the pattern you have
XL

downloaded.
L

Assembling Full-Size Pattern Printout Pattern Symbols + Markings

XL
1 |
S

L
When prepar-
cut on fold

M
ing to print the pdf, Button + buttonhole
XS

S
make sure that you are placement marks Solid lines indicate

XS
printing it at 100% and buttonholes. A large open circle is the
that there is no scaling. button symbol and shows placement.
Check the settings for
page scaling (should be Test Square XS
S Cutting lines Multisize
None) and check the
2" 2" [5 5 cm] M patterns have different cutting
preview to make sure L
XL cut on fold lines for each size.
that you will be printing
at full size. Make sure
that the box labeled Place on fold bracket This is a
Auto-Rotate and grainline marking with arrows pointing
XS Center is unchecked to the edge of the pattern. Place on the
S
M (instructions apply specifically to Adobe Reader; if using ASYMMETRICAL FOLDS
fold of the fabric so that SKIRT
your finished
L RIGHT FRONT
XL another pdf reader, check for similar settings). piece will be twice the size of the pattern
|
2 To ensure that the pattern has printed at the correct scale, piece,cut 2 XXxx
without adding a seam.

XL
check the size of the TEST SQUARE. The Test Square

L
should be 2" 2" (5 5 cm). Grainline The double-ended arrow

M
|
3 To begin assembling the pattern, cut off or fold the dotted should be parallel to the lengthwise
margin around each page.
grain or fold unless specifically marked
|
4 The pages are numbered in rows, so the first row of pages as crosswise. Bias grainlines will be
ASYMMETRICAL
is numbered 1a, 1b, 1c, etc. Line up FOLDS
the rows andSKIRT
match the
XL

diagonal.
dotted lines together so they overlap.
RIGHT FRONT Tape the pages together.
L

Use the illustrated guide to match each piece. Once the pattern
is complete, find your size, cut 2 XXxx XS
Notches Notches are triangle-shaped
S

pin the pattern to the fabric, and fol- S

M
XS

low the coordinating line to cut out or trace the pattern. L

symbols used for accurately matching
XL
seams. Pieces to be joined will have cor-
Layout, Marking + Cutting Guidelines responding notches.
1 |
Find the lines that correspond to your size and trace cut on fold
the pattern pieces, either on tissue paper or directly onto Darts Dashed lines and dots mark
the fabric, using tracing paper and a tracing wheel.
darts. The dashed lines show where the
|
2 If you are cutting pattern pieces on the fold or cutting stitching will be, and the dot shows the
cut two
on of the same pattern piece, fold the fabric in half,
fold XL
position of the dart point (signaling the
selvedge to selvedge, with right sides together. Note that this

L
point, at the end of the dart, where your

M
S

technique is not appropriate for some fabrics so check the

stitching should end).

S
XS

project instructions if you are unsure.

|
3 Lay the pattern pieces on the fabric as close together pattern dots Filled circles indicate
as possible. Double-check that all pattern pieces to be
that a mark needs to be made (often on
cut on the fold are placed on the fold.
the right side of the fabric) for placement
|
4 Make sure all pattern pieces are placed on the fabric of elements such as a pocket or a dart
with the grainline running parallel to the lengthwise grain unless
point. Mark by punching through the pat-
a crosswise or bias grainline is present.
tern paper only, then mark on the fabric
cut on fold
|
5 Copy all pattern markings onto the wrong side of the fabric
through the hole.
unless otherwise noted.
|
6 Read through all cutting instructions listed in the project
Slash Marks A dashed line (some-
instructions for directions on how many pattern pieces to
cut out of your fabric and interfacing. times appearing with pattern dots)
indicates an area to be slashed. Further
|
7 Use weights to hold the pattern pieces down and use
instructions for making the slash will be
pins to secure the corners as needed.
included in the pattern instructions.
|
8 Cut the pieces slowly and carefully.

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page 2 of 33
 sUMMER 2015 cutting layout
02-01-15

A-Line Mini Dress

20" 20 interfacing
interfacing
ALL SIZES XS-S 1 1/8 yd
M-XL 1 1/4 yds
A-Line Mini Dress
20" interfacing

XS-S 1 yd
M-XL 1 yd
Selvedge
selvedge

FRONT FACING (D)

BACK FACING (E)

02-01-15
COLLAR (F)
A-Line Mini Dress
45 main
Selvedge
selvedge
XS-M 2 1/3 yds
L-XL 2 1/2 yds

45"
main
ALL SIZES
A-Line Mini Dress
45" main

XS-M 2 yds
L-XL 2 yds

Selvedges
selvedges

BACK FACING (E) FRONT

BACK DRESS (C)
FACING (D)
LOWER FRONT DRESS (B)

Fold
fold

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page 3 of 33
 02-01-15

A-Line Mini Dress

58 main

sUMMER 2015 cutting layout XS-S 1 1/4 yds

58"
main
XS-S
Fold
fold A-Line Mini Dress
58" main

XS-S 1 yd
FRONT FACING (D) LOWER FRONT DRESS (B)
BACK FACING (E)

Selvedges
selvedges

BACK DRESS (C)

02-01-15

Fold
fold A-Line Mini Dress
58 main
58"
main M 1 1/3 yds
M
A-Line Mini Dress
Fold
fold 58" Main

M 1 yd

LOWER FRONT DRESS (B)

BACK FACING (E)

Selvedges
selvedges

FRONT FACING (D)

BACK DRESS (C)

Fold
fold

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All rights reserved. this issue to be copied for personal use. sewdaily.com
page 4 of 33
 02-01-15

sUMMER 2015 cutting layout A-Line Dress

58 main

L 2 1/8 yds
58" XL 2 1/4 yds
main
L-XL
A-Line Mini Dress
58" main

L 2 yds
XL 2 yds

Fold
fold Selvedges
selvedges

BACK FACING (E)

Selvedges
selvedges

BACK DRESS (C)

FRONT
FACING (D) LOWER FRONT DRESS (B)

Fold
fold Fold
fold

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All rights reserved. this issue to be copied for personal use. sewdaily.com
page 5 of 33
 sUMMER 2015 cutting layout
45"-58"
contrast a
All Sizes
02-01-15 A-Line Mini Dress
A-Line Mini Dress 45"-58" contrast a
Selvedges
selvedges
45-58 Contrast A

All sizes 5/8 yds All Sizes yds

UPPER FRONT DRESS (A)

Fold
fold

45"-58"
contrast b 02-01-15

All Sizes A-Line Dress

45-58 Contrast B
Selvedges
selvedges
A-Line Mini Dress
All sizes 1/3 yd45"-58" contrast b

All Sizes yd

COLLAR (F)

Fold
fold

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All rights reserved. this issue to be copied for personal use. sewdaily.com
page 6 of 33
 a-line mini
SUMMER 2015
dress
1a 1b 1c 1d 1e 1f 1g
A-LINE MINI DRESS

A-LINE MINI DRESS

FRONT FACING (D)

cut 1 main on fold
cut 1 interfacing on fold
ALL SIZES

ALL SIZES
cut 1 interfacing on fold
cut 1 main on fold
BACK FACING (E)
A-LINE MINI DRESS

A-LINE MINI DRESS

2a 2b 2c 2d 2e 2f 2g
LOWER FRONT DRESS (B)
cut 1 main on fold
ALL SIZES

A-LINE MINI DRESS

BACK DRESS (C)
cut 1 main on fold
ALL SIZES

XS
S
M
L
XL

3a 3b 3c 3d 3e 3f 3g 3h
UPPER FRONT DRESS (A)
A-LINE MINI DRESS

cut 1 contrast A on fold

ALL SIZES

4b 4c 4d 4e
A-LINE MINI DRESS

cut 1 interfacing
cut 2 contrast B
COLLAR (F)

ALL SIZES

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All rights reserved. this issue to be copied for personal use. sewdaily.com
page 7 of 33
1a
A-LINE MINI DRESS

A-LINE MINI DRESS

FRONT FACING (D)

cut 1 main on fold
cut 1 interfacing on fold
ALL SIZES
1b
A-LINE MINI DRESS
BACK FACING (E)
cut 1 main on fold
cut 1 interfacing on fold
ALL SIZES
1c
1d
1e
1f

A-LINE MINI DRESS

1g
2a
2b
2c
2d
2e

A-LINE MINI DRESS

BACK DRESS (C)
cut 1 main on fold
ALL SIZES
 A-LINE MINI DRESS

2f
LOWER FRONT DRESS (B)
cut 1 main on fold
ALL SIZES

XS
S
M
L
XL
2g
 3a

A-LINE MINI DRESS

UPPER FRONT DRESS (A)
cut 1 contrast A on fold
ALL SIZES
cut 1 contrast A on fold
ALL SIZES

3b
3c
3d
3e
3f
3g
3h
4b
 4c

A-LINE MINI DRESS

COLLAR (F)
cut 2 contrast B
cut 1 interfacing
ALL SIZES
4d
4e