DIY Gathered Dress Tutorial + Pattern - Sewing Rhea Dress

[@SouthernGirl31520]

I purchased this pattern and have made it twice after some bust alterations. I added pockets to both, made the straps wider to cover a bra strap. I also raised the neckline just a little. My first dress had three tiers for a maxi look and the second dress I shortened the 1st and 2nd tiers to accommodate my height. I enjoyed the make very much.

[@Tammy.Handmade]

So glad to hear Ava! I love all the adjustments you’ve done, they sound perfect for you! ❤️

[@joanneporter5700]

Hi Tammy, just purchased from Etsy and now saved your video to my favourites. I will be making this dress this week. Brand new to sewing and I think I can make this...watch this space. Thank you!

[@Tammy.Handmade]

That’s so great to hear Joanne ❤️ I hope this video and my instructions help you make this dress easily 💕 Be sure to reach out if you have any questions x

[@rhiannonlocke2695]

I made this dress with a number of alterations: French seams, in-seam pockets, bust darts, grading down by one size at the base of the top, bias binding rather than lining the top, widening the shoulder straps and adding ties at the waist. I'm glad for the bust darts, especially; and I regret making the front and back panels equally wide given that I tend to tie the waist with 4 or 5 inches less ease. It's a fun dress. I wear it a few times per week, so far.

[@creativecad4440]

Gorgeous dress

[@Tammy.Handmade]

Thank you

[@ilamiou]

Thank you Tammy!! I am about to give this a go in a couple of days.

[@Tammy.Handmade]

Glad it's helpful!! :) Hope you enjoying sewing it x

[@emzportraitscrafts]

This is so good!! :) I really enjoy seeing things being made, it inspires me to find new ways of using & upcycling my old clothes & making something unique, thanks for sharing, will check out your other videos :)

[@Tammy.Handmade]

Thank you so much! Definitely have fun and play with upcycling old clothes you don’t wear anymore ❤️

[@chiknaziha8894]

Good job

[@membuatpola]

the tutorial is good, very useful👍

[@Tammy.Handmade]

Thank you! :)

[@zimniok7602]

I' thinking about buying that pattern but I'm very beginner at sewing so I have question what fabric should be used for this?

[@Tammy.Handmade]

I recommend cottons, linens or viscose if you’re a beginner ❤️

[@exo_exotic7380]

Super instructions very easy to understand, makes up very well. However the sizing seems enormous, could you advise me how to take it in? Thank you

[@Tammy.Handmade]

Thank you! The dress is intended to be a looser fit and more swishy than fitted! You could easily take in the side seams by increasing your seam allowance or by adding waist ties for a more fitted look ❤️

[@carolecobb3306]

Hello, thank you for the tutorial. Can I ask why only one row of gathering stitch? Other tutorials show two or three rows. TIA

[@Tammy.Handmade]

Glad to help! You can sew gathering stitches with two rows (this is so if the thread snaps whilst pulling the fabric with your fingers, you have another row to use) but I've never found this happens to me, so I find it quicker and easier with just one row :)

[@NellyTay]

Hi Tammy! I love this pattern and can't wait to try it when I get my hands on a sewing machine again!! Do you think a linen blend fabric would work well for this pattern?

[@Tammy.Handmade]

Hi Nelly! Ah that’s great to hear, yes a linen blend would work perfectly. I’ve found any fabric like cotton, linen or viscose that’s able to gather easily works perfectly x

[@federicaconsoli6757]

I just bought the pattern and I can't wait to try it! I would like to make the bodice a little more fitted, any advice? x

[@Tammy.Handmade]

That’s great to hear! You can definitely sew the side seams of the top with a bigger seam allowance to make a more fitted bodice. Or you can add waist ties to the top of the skirt to do you can easily tie the dress to create a more fitted look ❤️ I have a blog post here which shows how I created that hack www.tammyhandmade.com/sewing-the-rhea-dress-back-waist-ties-hack/

[@federicaconsoli6757]

@@Tammy.Handmade such great ideas!! thanks a lot

[@neelasstudio854]

Very nice👍

[@Tammy.Handmade]

Thank you ❤️

[@michellegeorges8560]

Did you use the same fabric for the lining?

[@Tammy.Handmade]

I did for this version! ❤️

[@miekejosefine4624]

Hi I found this tutorial so useful! Could you tell me which fabric you used? 😊Because your dress looks way more flowy than mine (made of cotton) ^^

[@Tammy.Handmade]

Thank you! I actually use a viscose cotton or linen blend, it’s feels softer to the touch but still holds it shapes beautifully! X

[@miekejosefine4624]

@@Tammy.Handmade thank you😍

[@geraldinegorman9597]

Hi Tammie, great sewalong. Can I ask, how far above the natural waist does the bodice come to and what height is the dress drafted for. I have 2m of fabric that I would love to use for this dress but just wondering would I have enough. It is a wide fabric. Thank you 💖

[@Tammy.Handmade]

Hi! The Rhea dress sits at your natural waist. You may have to adjust slightly depending on your height as the pattern is drafted for 5 foot 6 inches. 2 metres should be fine if it’s wide. You can always make the skirt and ruffle height smaller to fit onto less fabric x

[@Annikwark]

Hi! I just bought the pattern. I was wondering: are seam allowances included? I can't seem to find that bit of information in the instructions..

[@Tammy.Handmade]

Hi! Yes seam allowances are included in the pattern x

[@nicolefowler2118]

Hi Tammy, I was wondering what would be the best way to cut the ruffle when the fabric isn’t wide enough. Should I just cut it into 4 pieces and have extra seams at the front and back? Or is there a better way to do it?

[@Tammy.Handmade]

Hi Nicole, yes I would recommend cutting 4 pieces and sewing together to make it long enough :)

[@nicolefowler2118]

@@Tammy.Handmade thank you so much!

[@HayleyRE]

This is my *first* sewing project and I'd really like to line the entire dress, not just the bodice. Any suggestions on how to do that? Would it just be an A-Line from bodice lining to an inch or two above the dress hem, vs. doing ruffles?

[@Tammy.Handmade]

Hey! So I would recommend literally just cutting out the skirt pieces twice and using them as if they are one piece of fabric. So you are just doubling up the pieces so they are 2 together instead of one. This would be the easiest way to line it and keep the same construction. Xx

[@marciafranco1035]

Lindo.

[@violagialla3576]

👍🎖🏆🏅👏👏👏