With summer coming, I was eager to make more cute summer outfits. I found this vibrant yellow fabric at my local thrift store last year and I thought it would look adorable as a simple strappy dress, especially with scalloped details. I’ve never sewn a scalloped edge before, so this will be a new addition to my list of sewing skills!
The Pattern Drafting and Sewing Process
The self-drafting process was relatively quick and straightforward. I followed the mini slip dress tutorial by Essentials Club but modified the neckline from straight to scalloped. I spaced out the scallops evenly when drafting. To prepare the pattern pieces, I drafted the front and back panels, the corresponding facings, and the strap pieces. If you’re curious, hop over to my previous post where I created a bow mini dress using a similar pattern, accompanied by a more detailed diagram and my measurements.
The sewing process was also relatively fast, except for sewing the scalloped neckline. I outlined the scallops with an erasable fabric pen and sewed along the marked lines using short stitch lengths. After stitching the scallops, I trimmed the seam allowance with pinking shears and carefully clipped into the points between the scallops using sharp embroidery scissors. Be careful not to cut the stitches!
I used French seams for the sides and understitched the facings on the non-scalloped areas to prevent the facings from rolling out of place.
The Final Touches
Because dresses with pockets rule, I decided to incorporate matching scalloped patch pockets at the front of the dress. First, I sketched a rough rectangle and traced the scalloped edge from the neckline to the top of the pocket. Then, I cut two layers for each fabric— one for the main fabric and one for the lining. I then sewed them together, using short stitches along the scalloped edge, and left a small opening on the non-scalloped part of the pocket.
After trimming the edges carefully, I flipped the pocket right side out, neatly tucked the small opening, and sewed the pocket directly onto the front of the dress. Make sure the pockets on each side are sewn at the same height and evenly spaced.
The Finished Dress
The finished dress turned out super cute! My friends think the patch pockets look like a couple of tulips haha. As you may recall from my previous blog post, I adore adjustable shoulder straps—they offer endless styling possibilities.
I envision this dress as the ideal beach attire. It would also make for an adorable beach cover-up that you can effortlessly slip on and off. The fabric is medium weight, giving the dress a more structured appearance. If you prefer a flowier look, opt for lightweight fabric instead.
Leave a Reply