You’re bound to be the belle of the ball in this picture-perfect maxi dress! The classy design made by Posner and Posner features a deep V-neckline, side slit, and a cinched-in waist, plus it will have you mastering the art of darts, linings, facings and fastenings.
1 Download the pattern, then print out and follow the cutting guide. Attach fusible interfacing to the front and back facings, then join at the shoulder edge. Press the seam and neaten the outside edge of each facing. Make darts in the front and lining bodice, then press towards the side edge. Create darts in the fabric and lining back bodice, then press towards the centre back.
2 Join the fabric and lining front bodice and back bodice pieces at the shoulder seam, then press open. With wrong sides together, matching the notches and shoulder seams, stitch the bodice and the lining together around the neck edge. Sew the fabric bodice and the lining together at the armhole edge, but stop 2cm from the side seam edge on the front and back.
3 Sew the facing to each bodice neck edge. Trim the seam, clip the curves and turn the facing to the wrong side of each bodice. Understitch the facing, then overlap the left and right bodice, matching up the centre front line, and sew close to the edge.
4 Gather the side edges of the front band and place it on top of the front midriff band; the wrong side of the gathered band should be facing the right side of the midriff one. Evenly space the gathers and sew them to the side seam edge on the front midriff band. Gather the side edges of the back and centre back edge of the gathered bands, then place it on top of the back midriff.
5 Sew the gathers to the side seam and centre back edges of the back midriff band. Stitch the front and back midriff close to the top and bottom edges. With right sides together and matching the notches and edges, sew the m