Comfort has become a huge necessity in fashion this year and with many of us still working from home, it’s especially important to blend it with a home office wardrobe. The Birch Dress takes all of this into account and brings us a cozy, yet elegant sister to our Ginger Dress. Meant for fabrics with a bit of stretch, the Birch keeps the dramatic sleeves, but skips the back zipper and adds an adorable skirt flounce!

Purchase Materials Used Below:

• 3 yards Mood Exclusive Poppy Paradise Rust Stretch Polyester Crepe
• 1 yard Black Stretch Liverpool Knit
• MDF217 – The Birch Dress Sewing Pattern (free download below!)

Alternative Recommended Fabrics:

• Stretch Crepe
• Velour
• Jersey Prints
• Scuba & Neoprene

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All seam allowances are 1/2″ unless otherwise stated. See chart below for sizing specifications. Note, this specific pattern is available up to a size 30.

To start, sew your darts following any guidelines on your pattern pieces. There should be to bust darts along the front, like you see below, as well as two fish eye darts. Fish eye darts go into the back pieces as well.

At the center back edge, sew a rolled hem for the top 5″ of the center back seam, like the lower right image. This will become a keyhole opening at the collar. Attach the front and backs of your dress at the shoulders and side seams using a stretch or overlock stitch. Sew up the remainder of your center back seam too.

Attach one long edge of your collar along the neckline, leaving 1/2″ seam allowance overhanging on either side. Fold the collar in half along the length, fabric faces together, and sew up the sides. Turn the collar right side out, fold the raw edge inward and slip-stitch along the neckline.

Create each of your sleeves and gather the top of the curve between the notches on your pattern piece. Set each sleeve into its respective armscye and then create your sleeve cuffs. Gather each sleeve into a cuff and sew.

Attach your two flounce pieces at the short straight edges using a stretch stitch or French seam. Pin face to face along the bottom of your dress, aligning the side seams, and sew using a stretch stitch. Since many knits do not fray, hemming is not required, but you could opt for a single rolled hem.

Finish off your dress with a closure at the back of the collar such as hook and eyes.