As soon as I saw this gorgeous rayon jersey knit floral print on Stylish Fabric’s website, I knew I just had to have it because it would be perfect for a swing dress! I’m a big fan of the Love Notions Laundry Day Tee so that’s the pattern I chose to base this Swing Dress Tutorial off of.
Step 1. Join this Facebook group to get the discount code to make the Laundry Day Tee free.
Step 2. Download the pattern and print it. If this process confuses you, be sure to refer to the instructions listed in the pattern. There are step-by-step directions for the entire process.
Step 3. Choose your size based off of your actual measurements, not your normal RTW size!
Step 4. From the bottom of the hem cut 3-4 equally spaced slits to the top of the neckline (this is the slash and spread method). Cut to, but not through the neckline to create a hinge. Add paper behind the slits and begin to open each slit to create more fullness. I added 3 inches in between each of the slits.
Step 5. Lay the pattern on top of the fabric, pin and cut it out. Make sure to pay attention to grain line markings!
Step 6. Sew according to the normal pattern instructions, stop before hemming the dress.
Are you ready for my amazing hem secret?!? What makes my hems look perfect every single time is this amazing hem tape from Thermoweb. (Af. Link)
No more worrying about your machine eating your fabric, skipped stitches or uneven hemming. I’m afraid I sound a bit like an infomercial, but this stuff is a life-saver when it comes to sewing knit hems and I always keep at least a few rolls on hand. I’m also a self-proclaimed knit hem tape expert. I’ve tried every brand on the market (I have a whole box full of different brands just to prove it) and this is the kind that I like best.
Step 7. With the wrong side of the fabric facing upwards, lay the hem tape along the edge of the hem and press with an iron. Repeat this process around the entire hem. Once It has all been pressed, slowly pull back the hem tape lining working in small sections at a time. Turn up the hem and press again.
Step 8. Sew hem according to pattern instructions.
Purchase the fabric here.
You can find more posts using Stylish Fabric here, here and here.
A big thanks to my sweet friend Melissa (who has a wonderful sewing blog) for taking these photos of me!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Stylish Fabric. The opinions and text are all mine.
That fabric is gorgeous! I love how the dress looks comfortable but still stylish!
This dress is stinkin’ cute! I’m in love
So, I love this Swing style dress. Have done all of the sign ups, email confirmation, etc. How do I get the pattern? I keep hitting, “free pattern” under the picture of the dress, but the site just takes me back to the tutorial with no prompt to get to the pattern to print it.
Are all your patterns ones that must be taken to the copy store to enlarge?