Just in time for all your day party needs, the Mood Fabrics Clementine Dress is the pattern you didn’t know you needed! For a fresh take on summer comfort without compromising your style, this one sleeve wonder checks all the boxes. Whenever there’s a chance for elastic instead of zippers, count me in. Whether paired with heels or sneakers, you can easily transform this dress from day to a night out. The flattering play on the cut-out trend makes the Clementine Dress perfect for date night. So go ahead and show a little skin with this tasteful number. Try making your dress in bamboo jersey, printed silk, or lightweight linen.

Purchase Materials Used Below:

• 3.5 yards of Minerva Heathered Cascade Lightweight Linen Chambray
• 3yds White Elastic – 0.25″ 
• MDF257 – The Clementine Dress Sewing Pattern (free download below!)

Alternative Recommended Fabrics:

• Bamboo Knit 
• Lightweight Linen Fabric
• Silk Print

Here’s How to Sew:

Step 1: Pre-press the elastic casings

Turn each of the neckline, sleeve, and waist edges 1⁄2” to the WS and neatly press.
Turn again 3⁄4” to the WS and press. Unfold for the next step.

Step 2: Sew the waistline:  

Place each bodice and skirt with wrong sides together, aligning the waist seam allowances. Pin in place as needed. Ensure that you have a mirrored left and right. The wearer’s left will be sewn together with a 1 1⁄4” SA from the CB to the CF. The sew line will be at the second crease you pressed in the previous step.

Step 3: Sew the shoulder and side seams:  

Place the garment front and back with RS’s together. Sew each of the seams 1⁄2”, being careful to pivot at the interior corners of the bodice shoulder and right side seam. Clip the interior corners. Finish the SA’s with an overlock or zig-zag stitch. Press the SA’s towards the back.

Step 4: Sew the casings:  

Fold-down the casings for the neckline, sleeve, and waist seams at the previously pressed creases. Pin in place. Working from the inside, topstitch along the inner fold through all layers. This will be a scant 3⁄4” from the outer edge. Leave an opening of about 2” for each casing to insert the elastics in the next step.

Step 5: Insert the elastics:

Using a safety pin, insert the elastics into each casing. Be careful not to twist the elastic. Sew the ends of the elastic together by overlapping them about 1” and topstitching several rows. Try on the dress to check the fit of your elastic Adjust as needed. Finish sewing the openings of the elastic casings. Sew a row of topstitching through the center of each elastic, stretching as you sew. This will keep your elastic neatly in place. Steam press the elastic to help it shrink back up from having been stretched, and to give a refined appearance to the gathers.

Step 6: Hem the skirt:

Turn the edges of the skirt 1⁄4” to the wrong side and press. Turn and press again at 1⁄4”. Topstitch in place from the wrong side a scant 1⁄4”.

We’d love to know how you plan to style your Clementine Dress this summer! Let us know in the comments below.