How to Create a Stylish Corduroy Dress

You'll Need:

• 2 yards corduroy;
• 2 large buttons;
• Matching thread.

Instructions

First, create your pattern pieces. Use a tank dress or tank to create your pattern.

Refer to the illustration below to see which pattern pieces you’ll need and how to measure.

Once your pattern pieces are drawn out and cut, lay them on top of your fabric and use them as a guide to cut your fabric.

Step 1: Prepare Front Pieces

Take your DRESS FRONT and LINING FRONT and match them up with the right sides of the fabric together. Pin in place, and then sew around the edge of the LINING, attaching it to the DRESS FRONT. Use a straight stitch.

Repeat for the DRESS BACK and LINING BACK.

Step 2: Turn and Press

Now turn the FRONT and BACK pieces right side out, pull all your corners out so they’re nice and pointed, and press them flat.

Then topstitch all the way around the edges so the pieces lie nice and flat.

Step 3: Assemble the Dress

With right sides together, pin your DRESS FRONT and DRESS BACK together. Since you’ve attached the lining, the order of the fabric will be lining-dress-dress-lining. Sew up the sides of the dress with a straight stitch.

Turn the dress right side out and press your side seams flat.

Step 4: Hem the Dress

Hem the dress to your desired length. You can use a blind stitch hem (available on most sewing machines), but a wide straight stitch works as well. The blind hem stitch is much less visible on a solid, light-colored fabric and looks more professional. Press your hem flat with a hot iron.

Step 5: Attach Buttons

You can create buttonholes if you’d like, but my buttonhole foot on my sewing machine doesn’t work with buttons this large. So I just sewed the straps to the front of the jumper and hand-sewed the buttons over the top.