High fashion in a flash! The Xeranthemum dress exactly what you need for your upcoming dinner parties and holiday gatherings. Its super flattering shape and easy to sew design will make this your key fall wardrobe piece. You’ll want to wear it everywhere! You can try it in a solid Ponte de Roma for everyday wear or go with a luscious stretch velour, like we did, for a glamorous cocktail vibe. This upcoming holiday season you won’t have to worry about breaking the bank on your wardrobe, while still looking like a million bucks!

Fabric & materials used:

• 2.5 yards of Pacific Blue Wavy Crinkled Velour
• 1 spool of 640 Blue Coral 250m Gutermann Sew All Thread
• 1 yard of 1/8″ Black Elastic
• Made With Mood Labels
• MDF073 – The Xeranthemum 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.

Start by cutting out all of your pattern pieces according to their instructions, making sure to mark all notches.

 Let’s start with the top! Attach the Front Bodice to the Back Bodice at the side seam.

Then the shoulder seam.

Then, attach the Back Bodice panels at the center back seam.

Now, using your notches as your guide, create a basting stitch at the bottom corner of your front bodice where the fabric will need to be gathered. Pull on the threads to create even fullness. Do this on both pieces.

Overlap the left bodice panel over the right one, again matching the notches.  Sew the overlapping section.

Connect the ends of the waistband together at the center back. Now it’s time to attach the bodice to the waistband. Use the notches to correctly align your waistband to the top, then sew into place.

Next, we will work on the skirt. Begin by pinning the darts on the sides of the skirt, then sew it closed.

Now, again, using your notches as your guide and using the same method as the top, create the gathers on the skirt. Overlap the left side of the skirt over the right side and pin the overlapping portion.

Match the notches on the waistband to the notches on the skirt, flip the top inside out with the right sides of the fabric touching. Now pin the skirt to the waistband.

Evenly distribute the skirt fullness around the waistband, pin, then sew.

Time for the finishing touches! Carefully sew your 1/8″ elastic around the edge of your neckline. Make sure the tension on the elastic remains even all the way around by gently pulling it while the machine sews it onto your fabric. If the tension is too loose or too tight the result will be a distorted neckline.

Finish the neckline by flipping in the elastic and hand sewing it closed.

Pin, then sew the sleeve pieces closed. Double check that the sleeves are in the right place by looking at the notches. The double notch indicates that it should be attached to the back bodice. Sew the sleeves into the armholes.

If the fabric you choose for this project does not fray, then hemming the skirt and the sleeves are up to your preference. Complete the garment by sewing in a Made with Mood Tag.  Your dress is now complete! Time to party!!