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!)

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!