The Orchid Dress - Free Sewing Pattern

With Memorial Day officially behind us, summer is about to be in full bloom and your wardrobe aught to be up to par. Mood just put out another one of their delicious new exclusive collections and with each print being more gorgeous than the last, I have a mighty need to create an entire Resort-esque wardrobe. The Orchid Dress is the perfect start. With a sophisticated high collar and a peek-a-boo lace-up back, this silhouette can be made from any number of stunning fabrics, including this floral sateen I went with.

Fabrics & materials used:

3 yards Mood Exclusive The Island’s Palms Stretch Cotton Sateen
4 yards 1/4″ Tangerine Single Face Satin Ribbon
2 Dritz Size 1/2 Gold Magnetic Snaps
1/2 yard Black Single-Faced Fusible Interfacing
1 Pea 9″ Invisible Zipper
MDF051 – The Orchid Dress 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 28.

Begin by constructing the bodice of your dress. Attach your side front panels to the center front, matching up any notches. Note, I chose to skip a lining for this dress so all of my seams are finished French seams, like you see below.

At the shoulders and sides, attach each of your back bodice panels like the photo below.

Interface your collar panel and attach of the long edges along the neckline of your dress, leaving 1″ of overhang on one side and 1/2″ on the other.

Fold your collar in half, downward, and sew up the sides, as well as the extra inch of overhang left on the one edge. Trim your seam allowances, turn collar right-side out, and press.

From your ribbon, cut 12 pieces measuring 2″-2.5″ each.

There will be a diamond-shaped opening along the upper back bodice section of your dress, with 2 sides of the diamond falling on either side of your back panels. Finish the raw edges of the diamond with a simple rolled hem, pinning 3 evenly spaced ribbon loops along each side.

Stitch, press into place, and then attach your skirt panel to the waistline of your bodice, placing the straight edges at the center back. Slip-stitch the raw edge of your collar closed along the inside of your dress.

Insert your invisible zipper at the center back of your dress and then sew down the remainder of the back seam. Finish off your skirt with a rolled hem.