How to Pattern a Halter Dress

Sewing supplise

Halter dresses are flattering, versatile and sexy, whether worn for a day at the park or an evening on the town. They can be hard to fit, but creating your own custom halter dress pattern using flat pattern drafting is the ideal solution. Creating your own halter pattern is especially helpful if you are larger or smaller than the B-cup bustline commercial patterns assume. This halter style offers chest coverage, but leaves your shoulders and, if desired, your back bare.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Tape measure
• Muslin or another practice fabric
• Sewing machine and thread
• Pins
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Measure your hip, waist and bust. Add at least 2 inches to the largest of these for wearing ease if you plan to make your halter dress in woven fabrics. Create a more casual and looser fit by adding 4 to 6 inches to your measurements. Determine the total length measurement for your halter dress based on your preferences, as well as the bust point, waist and hipline.

2. Draw a long, straight line on your paper measuring the desired dress length. Measure and mark horizontal points at the bust, waist and hip 1/4 of your desired dress measurement.

3. Connect the dots to form a shape for the body of your dress. Use a straight edge to create a flared skirt, then connect the edge of the skirt to the center line to create the hemline. Add additional length to the front if you are busty to account for your breast size and allow space for a dart from underarm to bust point when sewing.

4. Draw an angled line from the neck to the armpit. Keep the halter neckline narrow. Narrow the neckline more in the back than the front if desired. Curve the line to form the horizontal underarm.

5. Add seam allowances to the side seams and armholes. Plan on a 5/8-inch seam allowance if that is what you are used to, but a narrower one is acceptable. Allow for a 3/4-inch casing at the neckline and a 1- to 2-inch hem.

Tips & Warnings

• Make this shorter to wear it as a top instead of a dress.

• Start with an a-line skirt pattern if you are new to pattern drafting.

• Cut the back straight across rather than making the halter connect front and back for a barer look. Plan to make an elastic casing in the backless version.

• Wear a strapless bra with this dress, as bra straps will show.

References

• Bored and Crafty: Halter Dress
• Burdastyle: Halter dress
• A Room Somewhere: Pillowcase Dress