Occasion dress sewing pattern

Twirl your way into event season with The Sophia Dress in UK sizes 6-20, a statement occasion frock with cut-out side panels and two sleeve and skirt styles.

From prom nights to garden parties, weddings to anniversary celebrations, summer events offer sewists so many opportunities to get creative with luxurious fabrics – think beautiful brocades, sumptuous jacquards, floaty crepes and statement cotton prints.

Make this dress without the cut-out side panels

Like this dress but not feeling brave enough to wear it with naked sides? Head to our sister post to download our free conversion pattern to make it into a regular dress with solid side panels.

Of course, special fabrics like these call for a special pattern, and we’ve got just the design: The Sophia Dress, in UK sizes 6-20 (US 4-18/EUR 34-48).

This chic number has swoon-worthy details to play with for a different look every time you make it, including optional cap sleeves, statement cut-out side panels and a twirly skirt in two lengths – perfect for social butterflies with lots of occasions in the calendar to sew for!

The Sophia Dress: digital sewing pattern

This pattern is available to download (PDF) in our pattern store.

Sizes

UK sizes 6-20, US 4-18 and EUR 34-48.

You will need

• Dress A main fabric: 140cm (55in) width x 2.3m (2¹⁄₂yds) for all sizes
• Dress B main fabric: 140cm (55in) width x 1.9m (2¹⁄₄yds) for all sizes
• Dress A lining fabric: 140cm (55in) width x 2.3m (2¹⁄₂yds) for all sizes
• Dress B lining fabric: 140cm (55in) width x 1.9m (2¹⁄₄yds) for all sizes
• Invisible zip: 56cm (22in)
• Hook and eye
• Matching thread

Fabric suggestions:

Medium-weight woven fabrics such as cotton, brocade or jacquard. Use lightweight cotton for the lining.

Skills:

• Add fluttery cap sleeves, or make a sleeveless Sophia.
• Sew on-trend cut-out side panels
• Sew a lined fitted bodice
• Insert an invisible zip

Michelle Grady

Michelle started sewing six years ago after finding a handmade dress in a thrift shop and thinking: “I could make that!” Passionate about sustainable fashion, she’s usually found rummaging through her existing stash of fabrics and patterns for inspiration, or looking for second-hand garments she can repair, alter or upcycle. Her favourite techniques include pressing, topstitching and using her overlocker for a speedy seam finish (although she’s also partial to a French or bound seam for special projects). Her recent me-made garments have included the Wrap Dress and Bea Blouse patterns from Simply Sewing. She shares her makes at http://www.eclectic-threads.com and on Instagram @threadseclectic

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