Sew a Newspaper Dress

Step 12 Make the Armholes

-Put the dress bodice on again using a belt to hold it in place, just like you did in Step 9.

-Space the pleats out slightly along your side so that the dress fits well.

-Draw a line where the armhole cutout should be. You might ask a friend to help you with this step. Do this for both sides of the dress.

-Take the dress off. Space the pleats out slightly as shown in the photo. Sew 1/4 inch from the edge to keep the pleats spaced out like this, backstitching at start and finish. Your seam should go from the edge of the front bodice piece to the end of each back bodice piece.

-Tidy up your armhole lines, then sew another seam 1/4 inch below the line. Carefully cut out the armhole, being careful not to cut through this second line of stitching. Do this for both sides of the dress.

-Try the bodice on and double check the fit of the armholes. If you need to make adjustments, draw a new line, then sew 1/4 inch below it, then cut, never cutting through the bottom line of stitching.

-When you've got the armholes so they fit, sew a few more times below the cut to reinforce it and make sure the pleats stay as you've spaced them.