How is your sewing going? I hope it’s going well! Today, we will focus on attaching the skirt and bodice for View A of the Darling Ranges dress. The skirt is gathered, making this step very straightforward.
Start by sewing a line of basting stitches along the top of the skirt, just under 5/8″ from the raw edge. Use the longest stitch on your machine and avoid backstitching; leave long threads dangling. Begin and end the basting stitches 3″ from the edge, as indicated by dots on the pattern. For better control over the gathers, consider adding a second line of basting stitches about 3/8″ from the raw edge. If your fabric is thick, sew the basting in sections—left front, back, and right front—so you can gather each part separately. To gather the fabric, hold it steady with one hand and pull one loose thread with the other. Repeat on both sides until the skirt width matches the bodice waist. Lay the bodice open with the right side up. Place the skirt on top with right sides down, aligning the waistline. Ensure the placket edges and side seams match, then pin at these points and even out the gathers. If following the pattern as is, note that the back of the dress has fewer gathers by design. If you added darts to the back bodice (as shown in last week’s tutorial), gather the skirt more in the back. This maintains a balanced look, as the back is meant to have fewer gathers due to the ties. Sew the skirt to the bodice with the gathers facing up to monitor and sew them neatly. Neaten the waistline raw edge (a serger works well) and press the seam upward. Optionally, topstitch the seam flat to finish. LOOKING FOR MORE TUTORIALS? Here’s the full list of Darling Ranges tutorials: Project preparation Pattern alterations: full bust adjustment Pattern alterations: small bust adjustment Pattern alterations: lengthen the bodice Pattern alterations: raise the neckline Pattern alterations: rounded neckline Pattern alterations: fishtail hem Pattern alterations: add darts to the back bodice pattern piece Sewing & construction: Bodice & darts Sewing & construction: Skirt & pockets Sewing & construction: Attaching the skirt & bodice Sewing & construction: Placket & Neckline Sewing & construction: Sleeveless version Sewing & construction: Attaching the sleeves Sewing & construction: Hemming Sewing & construction: Ties & beltloops Sewing & construction: Closures Sewing and Construction: Sleeveless variation Sewing and Construction: Dartless Versions (View B & View C)We absolutely love seeing what you make, so don’t forget to tag your creations with #MNdarlingranges and @megannielsenpatterns if sharing on social media.
Don’t have the pattern yet? Order Darling Ranges 0-20 or Darling Ranges Curve today!