In this post, you will learn how to sew a gathered dress with pockets and off shoulder with free PDF pattern and video tutorial.
Do you love the look of a gathered dress with pockets and off shoulder? Do you want to learn how to sew one yourself? If so, you are in the right place!
In this blog post, I will show you how to sew a gathered dress with pockets and off shoulder, using a free PDF pattern that I created in 5 sizes. You will also get access to a step-by-step video tutorial that will guide you through the whole process.
This dress is perfect for confident beginners who want to make a simple and stylish dress that can be worn for any occasion. It features a gathered skirt, a bustier bodice, an off shoulder neckline, and side seam pockets. It also has a faux shirring technique that eliminates the need for a zipper, making it easy to put on and take off.
You will love how comfortable and flattering this dress is, and how fun and easy it is to sew. So, let’s get started!
What You’ll Need
To sew gathered dress you need the following materials and tools:
- A sewing machine, you’ll need a sewing machine that can handle different types of stitches, such as straight, zigzag, or overlock.
- Thread , learn more on threads
- Scissors. learn more on using scissors
- Pins
- Measuring tape
- Iron
- PDF patterns for bustier and skirt
- Fabrics, read more on fabrics here
You will also need a magnetic seam guide or a magnet to help you sew evenly.
Best Fabrics for Gathered Dress
The best fabrics for a gathered dress depend on the style, season, and occasion of the dress. However, some general guidelines are:
- For a casual, summer, or flowy dress, choose a light and breathable fabric, such as cotton, linen, rayon, or chiffon. These fabrics are comfortable, easy to sew, and drape well. They also come in a variety of colors and prints.
- If it comes to formal, winter, or structured dress, choose a rich and luxurious fabric, such as silk, satin, velvet, or wool. These fabrics are elegant, warm, and flattering. They also have a glossy or textured finish that adds some interest and glamour.
- For a faux shirring technique, choose a fabric that has some stretch and elasticity, such as jersey, knit, or spandex. These fabrics are flexible, snug, and zipperless. They also create a smooth and seamless look.
You can also mix and match different fabrics for the bodice and the skirt, or add some lace, embroidery, or applique for some extra detail and charm.
Check out my detailed post with sewing tips and triks on how to sew with stretch fabric.
The Amount of Fabric you Need for a Gathered Dress with Pockets and Off Shoulder
It will depend on the size, style, and design of the dress, as well as the width of the fabric. Generally, you can use the following guidelines to estimate the fabric required for a dress:
- For a simple dress with a straight or A-line cut, you will need about 2 to 3 yards of fabric (45″ to 60″ wide).
- For a dress with short sleeves, a collar, or a zipper, you will need about 3 to 4 yards of fabric (45″ to 60″ wide).
- For a dress with long sleeves, a full skirt, or pleats, you will need about 4 to 5 yards of fabric (45″ to 60″ wide).
- For a maxi dress or a dress with a lot of details, you will need about 5 to 6 yards of fabric (45″ to 60″ wide).
These are approximate measurements, so you may need to adjust them according to your specific pattern and measurements. It is always better to buy a little extra fabric than to run out of fabric in the middle of your project. You can also use a fabric calculator to get a more accurate estimate of the fabric you need.
Free PDF Patterns
This pattern include seam allowance!
The pattern is available at the end of the post for blog subscribers. Subscribing is free.
Check out how to measure yourself to see what size is the best for you.
Check out as well:
How to print and assemble free PDF patterns
How to cut out sewing patterns with tips and tools
Size Charts
According to your measurements, you can check the size chart to find the best size for you. Remember, you can always modify it, for example, if your bust is m and your waist is xs, you can mix the patterns.
Cutting Pattern Elements for Gathered Dress with Pockets and Off Shoulder
- Bustier center front x 2
- Side front x 2
- Back x 1 on fold
- Bustier lining
- Skirt x 2
- Optional Pocket
- Strap x 2
How to Sew the Bodice
Cut out the bodice pieces and the lining pieces. Pin the bodice pieces right sides together, matching the notches. Pin the lining pieces right sides together in the same way. Sew the bodice pieces and the lining pieces along the side seams and the bottom edge, using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Refer to the photo for guidance.
Faux Shirring Hack
Learn more and see my detailed step by step post on this fantastic sewing hack and watch the video here.
How to Add Pockets to Gathered Dress
- Cut out four pocket pieces from your fabric. See the picture below for the shape and size of the pocket pieces.
- Pin and sew the pocket pieces to the skirt pieces along the opening. Make sure the right sides of the fabric are facing each other, remember to do this for both the front and the back of the skirt. See the pictures below for the placement and direction of the stitching.
- Press the seams flat and turn the pockets to the inside of the skirt. The right side of the pocket fabric should be visible on the outside of the skirt. See the picture below for the result.
- Pin and sew the pocket pieces and the side seams of the skirt together. Make sure the right sides of the fabric are facing each other. Align the edges and corners of the pockets. See the picture below for the placement and direction of the stitching.
- Finish the raw edges of the seams with an overlocker or a zigzag stitch. This will prevent the fabric from fraying and make the pockets more durable. See the picture below for the result.
- Turn the skirt to the right side and press the pockets, you can also topstitch the pocket opening for a more polished look. See the picture below for the result.
Check out my post on sewing pockets with free PDF patterns and choose best pockets for your project.
How to Sew the Gathered Skirt
- Fold your fabric in half, right sides together, and place the skirt pattern on top. Make sure the grainline is parallel to the selvage. Pin the pattern to the fabric and cut around it. Repeat the same for the other skirt piece.
- Pin the skirt pieces, right sides together, at the side seams. Sew along the edges with a 1 cm seam allowance. Press the seams open and turn the skirt right side out.
Learn more on A-line skirts and maybe create own dream one here.
How to Attach the Bodice and the Skirt of the Gathered Dress
- Make sure the bodice and the skirt have the same width at the waistline. You can do this by gathering the skirt with long and loose stitches and pulling the threads until the skirt matches the bodice.
- Place the bodice and the skirt right sides together, aligning the waistline seams. Pin the center front, center back, and side seams of the bodice and the skirt together. You can also pin the quarter mark notches if your pattern has them.
- Sew the bodice and the skirt together along the waistline seam, using a 1/4 inch or 5/8 inch seam allowance, depending on your pattern. Make sure to distribute the gathers evenly and avoid catching them in the seam.
- Press the seam allowance towards the bodice and finish the raw edges with a zigzag stitch or an overlocker, as an extra step you can also topstitch the seam allowance to the bodice for a neater look.
Step by Step Video Tutorial
If you prefer to watch a video tutorial on how to sew this gathered dress, you can find it on my YouTube channel.
Detailed sewing tutorial on gathered dress with pockets and off shoulder
How to Style a Gathered Dress with Pockets and Off Shoulder ?
How do you style this dress for different occasions and seasons? I will show you some tips and ideas on how to style a gathered dress with pockets and off shoulder in various ways. Whether you want to dress it up or down, you can find a style that suits your mood and personality.
Casual Style
If you want to wear your DIY dress for a casual day out, you can keep it simple and comfy with some basic accessories and shoes.
Here you can see some of my recommendations:
- Choose a light and breathable fabric for your dress, such as cotton, linen, or chambray. You can opt for a solid color or a small print, such as stripes, dots, or florals.
- Pair your dress with some flat shoes, such as sandals, sneakers, or loafers. You can also wear some socks or tights for extra warmth and comfort.
- Accessorize your dress with a belt, a hat, a scarf, or a necklace. You can also add some sunglasses or a watch for some extra style.
- Carry a tote bag, a backpack, or a crossbody bag for your essentials. You can also add some pins or patches to your bag for some fun and personality.
Formal Style
If it’s a formal event, such as a wedding, a party, or a date night, you can glam it up with some elegant accessories and shoes.
See some of my ideas:
- Choose a rich and luxurious fabric for your dress, such as silk, satin, or velvet. You can opt for a bold color or a sophisticated print, such as lace, brocade, or paisley.
- Pair your dress with some heels, such as pumps, wedges, or stilettos. You can also wear some stockings or fishnets for some extra glamour and sexiness.
- Accessorize your dress with some jewelry, such as earrings, bracelets, rings, or a necklace. You can also add some hair accessories, such as a headband, a clip, or a tiara.
- Carry a clutch, a purse, or a wristlet for your essentials. You can also add some glitter, sequins, or beads to your bag for some sparkle and shine.
Summer Style
If you want to wear it for a summer day, you can make it fresh and breezy with some colorful accessories and shoes.
Check out my suggestions:
- Choose a light and airy fabric for your dress, such as cotton, linen, or rayon. You can opt for a bright color or a tropical print, such as yellow, pink, or green, or palm leaves, pineapples, or flamingos.
- Pair your dress with some sandals, such as flip flops, slides, or espadrilles. You can also wear some barefoot sandals or anklets for some beachy vibes.
- Accessorize your dress with some sunglasses, a hat, a scarf, or a necklace. You can also add some flowers, shells, or feathers to your hair or jewelry for some boho vibes.
- Carry a straw bag, a basket, or a tote for your essentials. You can also add some pom poms, tassels, or embroidery to your bag for some fun and whimsy.
Winter Style
If you want to wear your gathered dress for a winter day, you can make it cozy and warm with some layering and shoes.
Here are my favourite ideas:
- Choose a thick and cozy fabric for your dress, such as wool, flannel, or corduroy, in particular you can opt for a dark color or a plaid print, such as black, navy, or burgundy, or red, green, or brown.
- Pair your dress with some boots, such as ankle boots, knee-high boots, or snow boots, you can also wear some socks, leggings, or tights for extra warmth and comfort.
- Layer your dress with a sweater, a cardigan, a jacket, or a coat, as well you can add some gloves, a scarf, or a hat for some extra style and protection.
- Carry a leather bag, a satchel, or a backpack for your essentials, think on adding some studs, buckles, or chains to your bag for some edge and attitude.
I hope these tips and ideas help you style your gathered dress with pockets and off shoulder.
Ready Dress !
Congratulations, you have just learned how to sew a gathered dress with pockets and off shoulder! You have also used a free PDF pattern in 5 sizes and a step-by-step video tutorial to make your sewing project easier and more enjoyable.
I hope you had fun and learned something new from this blog post. This dress is a great addition to your wardrobe, as it is versatile, comfortable, and flattering. You can wear it for any occasion, and customize it with your favorite fabric and accessories.
If you liked this blog post, please share it with your friends and family who love sewing. You can also leave me a comment below and let me know how your dress turned out. I would love to see your photos and hear your feedback.
And if you want to learn more about sewing, don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter or follow me on social media. I post new sewing tutorials, tips, and patterns every week. You don’t want to miss them!
Thank you for reading and happy sewing! 🧵
In this post, you have learned how to sew gathered dress with pockets and off shoulder.
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