Francoise Dress

Françoise is a chic and easy-to-wear mini dress, inspired by sixties fashion yet always in style. The design features striking French darts and raglan seams. Choose from two-piece three-quarter length sleeves or a sleeveless version, with optional collar and waist tab.

With its simple flat sleeve construction method and jargon-busting instructions, this pattern makes a great first dress project for beginner sewists. More experienced stitchers can add the optional collar and play around with design variations - how about adding piping to the raglan seam lines?

FABRIC SUGGESTIONS - Medium weight cotton, sateen or light twill, preferably with a bit of stretch; double crepe; linen; double knit. The sleeveless version would also be great in gabardine, quilting weight cotton, light wool or brocade. 

SUPPLIES

• Fabric - 1.8m x 150cm wide (2 yards x 60in) OR 2.4m x 115cm wide (2 5/8 yards x 45in) (less for sleeveless version)
• Matching thread
• 56cm / 22in invisible zip
• Iron-on interfacing (about 30cm / 12in, similar weight to your fabric)
• Optional: 2 x 2.5cm / 1in buttons for the tab
• Optional: 1.2m x 35mm bias binding for sleeveless version (or you can make your own)
• Sewing machine and basic tools, incl invisible zip foot