DIY!!! Beautiful A-Line Dress with Bell Sleeves & Lace-Up Back Design

HELLO HIVE

Happy new week, dear Needlework Family! ✂️🧵
A big congratulations to all the amazing fathers who celebrated Father’s Day yesterday—your love and dedication are truly appreciated.
May this new week bring fresh inspiration, beautiful creations, and great success to us all. Stay blessed! ✨

I created this lovely A-Line dress for my aunt’s daughter with just 3 yards of Ankara—2 yards for the body and 1 yard for the sleeves. Simple, stylish, and budget-friendly

You can style the dress in various ways, with or without the lacing at the back, depending on your preference.

Steps on How to Cut and Sew an A-Line Dress with Bell Sleeve and Back Lacing.

Measurements Used
Shoulder: 15 inches
Bust: 35 + 2.5 inches ease = 37.5 inches
Waist: 26 + 2.5 inches ease = 28.5 inches
Half waist length: 16 inches
Full length: 41 + 2 inches hemming = 43 inches
Sleeve length: 25 inches

Step 1: Drafting the Bodice (Front & Back)
Fold your fabric into two to cut both front and back pieces.
Mark the shoulder (15 inches ÷ 2 = 7.5 inches)
Draw the neckline:
Back neckline: 3 inches width × 1.5 inches depth (round shape)
Front neckline: 3 inches width × 8 inches depth (V-shape)
From the shoulder, mark the half waist length (16 inches) and draw your bust and waist lines.
Bust line: Divide 37.5 ÷ 4 = 9.4 inches
Waist line: Divide 28.5 ÷ 4 = 7.1 inches
Since it’s an A-line dress, extend from the waist downwards by flaring out to your desired width. Then connect from bust to flare smoothly.
Add seam allowance (usually 1–1.5 inches).

Step 2: Creating the Front Design (In-built Collar Panel)
Before cutting out the front piece:
From the V-neck point, measure 1.5 inches inward on both sides down to the hem
Draw a straight line connecting from neckline to the bottom
Cut out this center panel
This removed piece will be replaced with satin fabric, giving a neat in-built collar or contrast panel effect.

Cut the same shape from satin and keep aside.

🧵 Step 3: Cutting the Back with Lacing
Cut the back piece normally using your measurements.
For the lacing:
Cut long strips (about 1 inch wide) and turn them into rope (bias or straight, neatly sewn and turned)

Cut another strip 1 inch wide × 20 inches long, then divide into small pieces to form loops

Attach the loops evenly along both sides of the back opening start from the under burst to the waistline. These loops will hold the rope lacing when worn.

👗 Step 4: Cutting the Bell Sleeve
Sleeve length = 24 inches
Use 22 inches Ankara fabric for the sleeve length
Then add 2.5 inches satin on fold at the edge to create a contrast bell effect
To achieve the bell shape:
From the armhole, extend the sleeve width gradually outward
Make the bottom wide and flowing
Cut two identical sleeves.

🧵 Step 5: Sewing Process
Join shoulder seams (front and back)
Attach the satin panel into the dress neatly

Fix the back loops and prepare the lacing rope

Sew the satin base to the hem of the sleeve then attach the sleeves to the armhole.

Sew side seams from sleeve down to the hem

Hem the dress bottom (2 inches allowance)

🎀 Step 6: Finishing
Insert the rope through the back loops to create the lacing
Press all seams neatly
Ensure the satin panel and sleeve edges are cleanly finished

with the lacing

without the lacing

"Thanks for your encouragement do have a great day*