Velvet was a runway favorite during the most recent London Fashion Week, with slinky silhouettes emanating from ALEXACHUNG, Emilio de la Morena, and more, which meant it was time for a new free pattern! Personally, I love the Nineties vibes that come with long velvet gowns, but the Todea Dress sewing pattern can be made with a variety of fabrics to suit your style. Try a silk charmeuse to hop on the lingerie-inspired trend, or opt for a bamboo jersey for chic comfort!
Fabrics & materials used:
- 5 yards Black Floral Embossed Velour
- 3 yards Black Foldover Stretch Tape
- 2 yards Black Satin Cord
- MDF135 – The Todea 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 30.
Step 1
To start, add the bust darts to the front of your bodice, following the guidelines on your pattern. If you’re new to darts, check out this helpful infographic!
Step 2
Attach the front and back of your dress at the side seams and then bind the top edge of the dress front with your foldover elastic tape, like you see below.
Step 3
Do the same with the back opening of the dress, carefully curving the tape along the bottom.
Step 4
Next, bind the armscye of the dress, starting at the back. As you get to the front of the dress, this binding becomes the dress strap. Cut your newly made strap to the length you need, plus 1/2″. Tack the extra 1/2″ to the back of your dress to complete the strap.
Step 5
To make the ties for the lace-up back, simply loop your satin cord back and forth along the opening on the back of the dress. Pin into place, and then stitch along the curve to secure them into place. Use the remainder of your satin cord to lace.
Step 6
Lastly, give the bottom of your skirt a 1/4″ rolled hem, and your dress is complete!
Will you be giving the Todea Dress a try? Let me know what fabric type you’re thinking in the comments!
For More Inspiration and Pattern Hack Ideas Using the Todea Dress Pattern, Click the Link Below:
Todea Dress Redux – Free Sewing Pattern
Absolutely stunning, I love it!
Do you have a # when we make a garment with a Mood Sewciety pattern ?
Thanks so much!! We always keep an eye on the #MadeWithMood hashtag. 🙂
I wore this exact dress to my 8th grade graduation…in 1998. Guess I should have saved it!
This is giving me a 90’s vibe and I freaking love it. Can’t wait to make it.
Aparte del terciopelo que otra telas podría usar por favor
Linen, batiste, viscose, or any woven with drape!
This is such a gorgeous dress! My school formal (Australian prom equivalent) is coming up in June and I think I’ve found my dress! I’ll have to edit the back a little bit because as I’m quite large-chested the lace up style doesn’t work as more often than not my bra is visible and I don’t really trust those stick-on ones. Regardless, thank you so much for designing this dress, it made me feel like I was listening to The Cranberries’ Zombie and attending a red-carpet event all at the same time as soon as I saw it. I love your patterns! Now I just have to tape the whole thing together (I’ve never used a Mood Pattern before, so that’ll be a new challenge), wish me luck!
Hola me encanta este modelo lo quiero hacer para el baile de graduación de mi hijo ya que lo acompaño por su pasarela .y quería saber que tela con brillo puedo usar .saludos desde Argentina.
The small loops on the back will be the most challenging part of this great dress. To get them all perfectly even and straight seems important to me because the back is the real eyecatcher. Will practice this again first before sewing this dress. Thanks for your designs.
This is beautiful! I’d love to make it for a wedding I’m attending this summer, but would it be possible to make it in a lighter fabric like satin or charmeuse? Thanks!
Hi Mae! We actually did a redux of this pattern with a stretch satin! Check it out here! 😀
I need some help with sizing here. I’m making this dress for my girlfriend, who happens to be transfemme. here are her sizings
waist: 29 in
hip: 34
shoulder: 17.5
neck: 15.5
bust: 35
i’m not sure what size to do, i’m a beginning seamstress. Does anyone have any advice?
Hi Sal! I would suggest making a muslin first to ensure the proper fit. Based on the measurements provided, I would either cut a size 12 and take it in at the bust and hips, or blend between sizes. 😀
Did this pattern change after the redux version? I am trying to make this dress, but the neckline on the front pattern piece has a very different shape than what is shown in this version. The front of the redux version is not shown well, but looking closely, it does not come up high like the original. I REALLY love this with the higher neckline, but my pattern piece is not translating to this look. Can you help with what I am doing wrong?
Hi Julie, as this is an old pattern, the person who made the dress doesn’t work here anymore, and we no longer have the sample garment in our studio, I can’t say for certain why the neckline on this original sample differs from the neckline on the pattern piece. Original patterns are not adjusted after reduxes though. Luckily it’s not totally different, so I suggest just extending the CF line upwards until you get that straight neckline. 🙂
Love this! What modifications would I need to make this with a non-stretch fabric
Hi Jas! Since the back is lace up you may be able to easily switch to a non stretch fabric. I suggest taking a look at the printed pattern and comparing your measurements to those on the pattern, since there might have negative ease because of the stretch fabric. Then make a muslin of the bodice first to adjust any fit issues that might arise! Good luck! 🙂
Hi there! I love this dress and want to make it! Im just wondering if it would be easy to make the following alterations?
– a zip on the back of the dress (instead of lace up)
– more of an a-line skirt
Thanks for your help!
Hello there!
Thanks for visiting the Mood Sewciety Blog! We’re proud to have released over 350 free sewing patterns, and we hope you’re enjoying them.
Behind the scenes we’re a dedicated team of three, and we want to be able to offer top notch support. We have exciting plans for our patterns on the horizon, and as we continue to grow, we’ve decided to focus our sewist support on patterns from the last 2 years. If this pattern hasn’t been recently reduxed or updated, we won’t be able to respond to pattern-related questions on these older posts.
If you come across any pattern errors, rest assured our team is on it – just let us know!
Don’t miss out on our Mood Sewciety Facebook Group – a fantastic space for fellow sewists to connect, share wins, and tackle challenges together.
Thank you for your understanding and happy sewing!
Best regards,
The Mood Sewciety Blog Team
Hi! What adjustments would I need to make in order to change the back closure to a zipper?
Hello there!
Thanks for visiting the Mood Sewciety Blog! We’re proud to have released over 350 free sewing patterns, and we hope you’re enjoying them.
Behind the scenes we’re a dedicated team of three, and we want to be able to offer top notch support. We have exciting plans for our patterns on the horizon, and as we continue to grow, we’ve decided to focus our sewist support on patterns from the last 2 years. If this pattern hasn’t been recently reduxed or updated, we won’t be able to respond to any pattern-related questions on these older posts.
If you come across any pattern errors, rest assured our team is on it – just let us know!
Don’t miss out on our Mood Sewciety Facebook Group – a fantastic space for fellow sewists to connect, share wins, and tackle challenges together.
Thank you for your understanding and happy sewing!
Best regards,
The Mood Sewciety Blog Team
Stunning, I’m making this for my 16th birthday
Happy Sweet Sixteen! 🙂 Best of luck and happy sewing!!