Learn to Sew a Sheath Dress

Welcome to the Sloan sewalong! In this first lesson, Erica will introduce you to our sewalongs and give you some helpful tips. And in the next lesson, she’ll show you how to pick a size and prep your pattern and fabric.

If you’re feeling confident about getting started, you can go ahead and skip to lesson 3 and you’ll learn some helpful fitting techniques for the pattern.

Here is everything you need to know about the Sloan before you start sewing!

This dress is designed to be fitted, featuring darts that extend into a tuck below the waist on the front, fish eye darts on the back, a slit along the center front seam, and lined bubble sleeves. It has a high, round neckline and closes with an invisible zipper at the center back.

Fabric recommendations: Look for stable medium-weight woven fabrics such as linen, linen blends, sateen, chambray, shirting, quilting cotton, rayon, brocade, taffeta, and satin.

Fabric qualities to look for: The bubble sleeves are the stand-out feature of this dress. Consider the effect you want when you’re picking out fabric. Drapier fabrics, like rayon and linen blends, will give you softer bubbles, while fabrics with more body, like brocade and taffeta, will give you more pronounced bubbles. Fabrics with a crisper hand, like shirting, will lend a crisp effect to the sleeves, while fabrics with a softer hand, like double gauze, will give a fluffier effect.

Seamwork members, take advantage of your member deals this month! You can save up to 20% off your order here.