We’ve all enjoyed the Holidays, time spent with loved ones, the food, the festivities but it’s time to put those New Year resolutions to action! Whether it’s a new job or a promotion you’ve had on your to-do list, start with putting your best outfit forward. Dress for the job you want right? Well, Mood Fabrics has you covered with the Gilia Dress free sewing pattern. You’ll be one step closer to perfecting the perfect “Back to Work” wardrobe. The Gilia Dress has bold lines and paneling for easy fabric mixing. Try working with a pretty plaid and solid suiting for a stunning combination. You could even try solid suiting in a variety of hues for a color-blocked look. The possibilities truly are endless when you have a great pattern to start with!
The Gilia Dress is fully lined and zips down the back. The pattern is easily adjustable if you wanted to lengthen the skirt or shorten the sleeves. Will you be wearing your new Gilia Dress back to work? We’d love to hear how you styled it!
Fabrics & materials used:
- 3 yards of Ivory and Black Windowpane Check Wool Suiting
- 2 yards of Black Wool Twill Suiting
- 3 yards of Lustro Marshmellow Twill Bemberg Lining
- MDF109 – The Gilia Dress Free Sewing Pattern (free download below!)
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.
Here’s how to sew:
I like to work on my main fabric and my lining simultaneously. This way, my lining is ready to go when I need it!
So go ahead and start by closing your darts on the fronts of your main fabric and your lining. Press darts towards the side seams and set the lining aside.
Next, close the darts on the backs of your main fabric and lining. Press and set lining pieces aside.
Now we are going to add the panel to the front of the dress bodice. Press the fusible to the wrong side of fabric on the panel. Pin the panel to the front along the panel seams and stitch in place. Press the seam allowances flat.
Attach the back bodice to the front bodice at the shoulder seams.
Now you can prepare the collar and collar facing. Apply the fusible to your collar pieces.
Pin the front and back collar pieces together at the side seams. Stitch and press the seam allowances open.
With right sides of the fabric together, pin collar to neck opening. Stitch collar in place and clip in the curve to create ease. Turn collar and press. Pin collar facing to collar edge and stitch turn collar facing in and press.
Now we can work on the skirt and waistband. Attach the skirt backs to the front by pining at the side seams. If you are working with plaid, make sure to match up your seams. Stitch and press your seams flat.
Apply fusible to your waistband panels. Pin the fronts of the waistband to the backs at the side seams and stitch. Press the seam allowances open.
Pin your waistband to the top opening of your skirt and stitch in place. Press seam flat.
Next, attach your bodice to the skirt waistband. With the right sides of the fabric together, pin the bodice to the top of the waistband and stitch in place. Press seams flat.
Make sure the front panel and waistband are pressed nice and flat at front.
Let’s work on the sleeves next. First, apply fusible to your cuffs. Then, with right sides of the fabric together, pin your cuffs to the sleeve opening edge. Stitch in place and press seams.
Pin and close the sleeve at the seams. Press.
Pin sleeves to the bodice and set in. Press seams.
Before installing your zipper, you can finish the lining by attaching the skirt to the bodice, and setting in the sleeves. Once your lining is finished and pressed, insert it into the dress with the wrong sides of the fabric together.
Pin zipper to back opening. Make sure to fold the neck facing over the zipper on the right side of the garment as you sew, then turn in and press for a clean finish.
Press your neck facing down on the inside enclosing your neck lining and slip stitch closed.
Lastly, hem the skirt bottom of your lining and dress to finish. Press all seams.
Be sure to check out all of Mood Fabrics free fabulous office wear patterns for interchangeable looks!
17 comments
You are offering very lovely and practical clothing patterns lately. Many thanks!
This is SO cute! Do you think it would work in a stable knit? I could see this being SUPER comfy in something like a ponte.
Yes, a ponte would be perfect for this pattern!
I’m following the pattern and trying to make this but I’m confused why I’ve cut out double the amount of fabric needed for the collar (2 of front and 4 of back) and the hem ( 2 front hem and 4 of back hem). This is based on the label on the pieces I printed out. I’ve read the instructions multiple times and stared at the images but I can’t tell what I’m suppose to do with the extra set of collar/hem. It’s my first time following a pattern… help please?
Hi Joy, the extras are for the facings – they’ll be your lining.
This is so cute. I think I will use houndstooth fabric in a double knit with a suede type trim. I am wondering about sizing though. Does the pattern run L ARGE? I couldn’t find a size chart on the website.
Hi Glenda, there’s a size chart just above the directions. 🙂
This is so cute. A perfect work dress. I would lower the hem a little.
Do you think this pattern would work without the lining if the fabric wasn’t transparent?
Thanks
Hi Alice – Yes, if you’re using a thicker fabric, you could definitely skip the lining for this pattern!
Is the vertical pattern piece on the bodice front, I.e., the accent or contrast fabric sewn on to the bodice or is it part of the bodice?
Hi Lillian, that is part of the bodice.
Is there ease and seam allowance added into the pattern already or do i need to add it before I cut out my fabric pieces?
Ease and a 1/2″ seam allowance is already included! 🙂
Cant wait to start this dress i recently made the citrus dress and its fab good fit I just love mood patterns
Love the style! What length zipper would you recommend?
Hi Celemay! We used a 24″ invisible zipper for this. 🙂