- 1). Use a pattern to cut out the sheath lining. If you made your dress yourself, use the original pattern. If the dress is store-bought, you can probably make a pattern on paper, drawing it from the dress. Most sheath dresses are very simple, often just a front and a back. While most sheath dresses are sleeveless, if yours has sleeves, plan on leaving them unlined for ease and comfort.
If you cannot draw a pattern, you can buy a simple sheath pattern and use it. Lay the pattern against your dress to adjust the neckline, if necessary. - 2). Sew together the sheath lining, following the pattern's instructions. Leave the back, where there is likely a zipper on your dress, open. This dress needs to be a match for the sheath dress along the neck and armholes. It will be longer because it is not yet hemmed.
If you are using a self-pattern, you should only have five seams. Sew together the two shoulder seams, the two side seams, and in the back center, sew up the bottom only as far as the zipper comes down. - 3). Remove any facing around the neckline of the sheath dress. The neck needs to be raw edges for matching up with the lining.
- 4). Turn the sheath dress inside out. Pull the sheath lining, right side out, over the dress. This should match up dress and lining seams on the inside (between garments).
- 5). Pin the necklines together and sew them. This attaches the lining to the neckline of the dress.
- 6). Turn the entire project inside out so that the dress is back to right side out. The lining should be inside with the seams neatly between garments. The neckline no longer needs a facing. If you like, you can top-stitch the neck.
- 7). Clip around the armholes on the lining. Carefully turn under the edge, trapping the raw edges. Hand-stitch the lining down. Do the same for both armholes. Likewise, turn under the lining edge alongside the back zipper and tack it down.
- 8). Hem the bottom of the lining. Do this with the garment either hanging or while someone is wearing it. After hemming the lining, you can choose to tack it to the bottom of the dress or leave it free.
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