Riley Dress / Sweatshirt
In this sewing class, we’ll show you how to make an incredibly comfortable and lovely sweatshirt dress with an Asian-style collar and sleeves featuring defined pleats. I’m sure you’ll love it! Patterns in sizes 36 to 50 included.
Project preview
This video is for members
Join Lulu Ferris to watch the complete class and sew along at your own pace.
What you’ll make
The Riley is a sweatshirt dress with a close Asian-style collar, softly puffed sleeves shaped by defined pleats, and practical side-seam pockets.
Wide cuffs and a hem band shape the dress. The same pattern can also become a shorter sweatshirt or top finished with a simple hem.
What you’ll learn in this class
- Select stretch stitches and a suitable ballpoint or stretch needle.
- Construct and attach the close-fitting collar.
- Fold the marked sleeve pleats in the correct directions.
- Set the sleeves using the pattern notches.
- Add pockets and close the side seams.
- Attach cuffs and a hem band while distributing the stretch.
This is an accessible garment project for sewists with a little machine experience.
Fabric choices
The dress sample uses brushed sweatshirt fabric with body. A fabric with fluid drape, such as the velvet used for the shorter version, creates a different silhouette.
A light knit without body or fluid drape may not support the design as intended. Test a small section to see how the sleeve pleats fall before cutting.
Make it your own
Shorten the body to your preferred top or sweatshirt length, omit the hem band, and finish the lower edge with a hem.
You can also make the cuffs narrower, as shown on the shorter sample.
Pattern sizes
The included PDF pattern covers sizes 36 through 50. New to tiled patterns? See How to Use a PDF Sewing Pattern.
The class includes a downloadable multisize PDF pattern.
Pattern & materials
Patterns are included with membership
Active members can download every available PDF and materials list.
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