Learn how to sew a bodycon bandeau dress with mini-ruffle across the top using 4-way stretch veggie leather fabric.

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

You'll need the following:

Custom dress pattern for your body measurements: http://www.mjtrends.com/pattern/womens/bandeau-dre...
1 yard red 4-way stretch faux leather fabric: http://www.mjtrends.com/products.Stretch-Red,Faux-...
1 strip of white 4-way stretch faux leather: http://www.mjtrends.com/products.Stretch-White,Fau...
1 white nylon separating zipper (18 to 27 inches depending on your desired dress length). http://www.mjtrends.com/categories-nylon-separati...
1 yard lightweight interfacing: http://www.mjtrends.com/products.Sew-in-lightweight,Interfacing,Fabric
White all-purpose thread: http://www.mjtrends.com/products.white-polyester,T...
Red all-purpose thread: http://www.mjtrends.com/products.Red-all-purpose,T...
Thread snips: http://www.mjtrends.com/products.thread-snips,Scis...
Roller presser foot: http://www.mjtrends.com/products.Roller,Presser-Fo...
Rotary cutter: http://www.mjtrends.com/categories-Rotary-Cutter,N...
Rotary cutting mat: http://www.mjtrends.com/categories-Cutting-Mat,Not...

Step 2: Cut Out the Pattern

Layout your red fabric on top of your cutting mat. Place your pattern on top of your fabric, ensure that the greatest amount of stretch runs horizontally across the pattern. Cut out both the pattern pieces and your fabric.

Use either sewing weights or a couple small heavy objects to keep your pattern in place while cutting it out.

Step 3: Sew the Side Sections to the Front

Sew the left side section to the left front section using a 1/4 inch seam.
Sew the right side section to the right front using a 1/4 inch seam.
[Optional] Sew down the seams so that they lay flat for a more polished look.
1. On the backside of the front, fold the seam over to one side and sew it down using a tight seam allowance.

Step 4: Check for Fit

At this point, you can drape the front section over you to confirm that the dress sits in the proper place at your chest.
If you're happy with the fit, fold over the top by 1/4 inch and sew a stretch stitch across the top.
If it needs to be lower, trim the material by the appropriate amount, and then stitch across the top.

Step 5: Sew the Ruffle

About 1/3 of an inch from the top, sew the mini-ruffle to the front and side sections using a stretch stitch setting on your sewing machine.
- We recommend using a roller presser foot whenever top-stitching faux leather or vinyl fabrics.
Your pattern will include a grey area showing how much to fold the material for the ruffle.
Take your time and review the video to observe the technique used to apply the ruffle.

Step 6: Sew the Zipper to the Rear

Sew a 1/3 inch strip of lightweight interfacing down each side of the rear seam where the zipper will go.
1. This is to prevent the material from stretching while sewing the zipper and it will prevent the material from puckering.
Change your presser foot to a zipper presser foot.
Sew the zipper to the rear using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
Fold over the material at the top of the zipper by 1/4 of an inch and sew it down using a stretch stitch setting. Trim away any excess zipper tape from the inside of the dress.