DIY!!! Beautiful A-Line Dress with Bell Sleeves & Lace-Up Back Design
Published on HivePostify by @deborahstitches · Mon Jun 22 2026
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
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