Pattern Description:
The Hydrangea Gown is a versatile, convertible pattern featuring a simple slip-style dress. It includes an evening-length gathered skirt and a separate top with statement sleeves.
It is suitable for various fabrics, transitioning easily from season to season and working well for special occasions or gala looks.
Materials Needed & Measurements:
| Item | Quantity/Description | Notes/Measurements | |
| Fabrics & Patterns | |||
| White Leonardo Plus Soft Tulle | 6 yards | ||
| Metallic Rainbow Polyester Lame | 2 yards | ||
| The Hydrangea Gown Sewing Pattern | MDF111 (free download) | ||
| Lining | 2 yards | Suggested by a reader to add to the materials list. | |
| Trims & Notions | |||
| Silver Metal & Rhinestone Trim | 3 yards | 1/2″ wide. Hand-stitched along the cuff and collar of the shirt. | |
| Silver Metallic Cord | 2 yards | 2mm wide. Used to create adjustable dress straps. | |
| Millenium Silver Single Face Satin Ribbon | 2 yards | 1/4″ wide. Used to gather the bottom of the shirt. | |
| Dritz Lingerie Strap Slides and Rings | 1 pkg | Used for adjustable straps. | |
| White Elastic Cord | 1 yard | 2mm wide. Used for the skirt waistband casing. | |
| Invisible Zipper | 9″ | Used at the center back of the dress. (Note: Readers suggested adding the zipper to the material list). |
Instructions for Making the Hydrangea Gown Pattern:
The Dress
The construction of the dress focuses on creating adjustable straps and assembling the self and lining layers.
- Creating the Adjustable Straps
- Begin the dress construction by making the adjustable straps using the metallic cord, as a fitted dress requires the right fit.
- Fold 1 yard of the metallic cord in half. Slip the folded end through one of the lingerie slides. Pull the excess cord through the loop created by the fold to secure the cord to the slide with a slip knot.
- Slip a lingerie ring onto the open ends of the cord. Move the ring up until it is approximately 5″ from the slide.
- Fold the open ends of the cord up and thread them through the slide. This completes the adjustable strap.
- Trim any excess cord from the end. Use a 2-3″ scrap of cord to loop through the ring on the back end of the strap; this piece will be used later to attach the strap to the back of the dress. Set the completed straps aside.
Assembling the Dress Body
- Construct the dress by matching up all notches and the waistline.
- Attach the side front panels to both sides of the center front piece. Press the seams open.
- Do the same for the back panels, attaching the side back panels to the center back.
- Sew up the sides of the dress, attaching the two back panels to the front panel.
- Repeat steps 6 through 9 using the lining pieces. This results in two essentially complete dresses: one made from the primary fabric (lame) and one from the lining.
Joining the Layers and Finishing
- Pin the lining and the self fabric pieces together along the top and along the hem, ensuring the fabrics are face-to-face.
- Line up all the seams. Pin the adjustable straps into place at the front and back princess seams.
- Sew along the top and the hem of the dress, securing the straps along the top edge.
- Lastly, add the 9″ invisible zipper at the center back, working along the outer layer of the dress.
- Sew up the remainder of the center back seam below the zipper.
- Slip-stitch the lining closed along the zipper opening.
The Shirt
The shirt features gathering at the sleeves and neckline, and includes a collar, cuffs, and rhinestone trim embellishments.
- Begin the shirt by gathering the fabric between the notches along the top of the sleeves and along the neckline at the center front of the bodice. This gathering can be achieved by basting and pulling the thread or by using a gathering foot.
- Attach the front and back panels of the shirt at the shoulder seams and the side seams.
- Create the collar by folding it in half along its height and stitching down the sides. Attach the finished collar to the neckline of the shirt, ensuring the fabric faces are together.
- Gather the bottom of the shirt, which can be done with a basting stitch.
- Pin the 1/4″ ribbon along the inside of the gathered hem. Ensure the shirt is evenly gathered and leave plenty of extra ribbon on the ends, which will be used to tie the shirt closed at the center back. Stitch the ribbon into place.
- Attach the sleeves to their respective armscyes, making sure to match up the notches from the pattern.
- Create the cuff: fold the cuff material in half along its length. Sew up the short side to form a loop of tulle. Fold this loop in half along the height to complete the cuff.
- Gather the bottom of each sleeve and attach one cuff to the bottom of each sleeve.
- Finally, hand-stitch the rhinestone trim along the cuff and the collar, taking care to fold the seam allowance down and out of the way.
- If desired, hand-stitch additional trim along the back opening of the shirt as well.
The Skirt
The skirt is described as the absolute easiest part of the pattern, being a large gathered rectangle.
- Fold the skirt fabric in half with the faces together. Match up the two shorter edges of the fabric and sew them together. This seam forms the back seam of the skirt.
- To create the casing, fold the top edge of the selvedge down 1/2″, directing the fold toward the inside of the skirt, and stitch it down.
- Cut the elastic cord to the size of your waist.
- Thread the elastic cord through the casing that was just created. Tie or sew the ends of the elastic cord together.
- The skirt shown in the pattern is kept at the full fabric width, but the length can be cut shorter if desired.
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