Winter is coming… And along with the season is the need to look stylish while keeping warm. The turtleneck has been a mainstay of fashion for a long time, with the simple addition of fabric giving the wearer a surprising amount of warmth while providing a unique look and profile.
This Turtleneck Dress Pattern is for someone looking for an elegant look and all the benefits of the turtleneck but without the effort of making an overly-elaborate dress.
The dress fits close to the body, to skim your silhouette while not being too tight. This means the dress can be easily paired with additional outwear as needed.
The turtleneck itself keeps you surprisingly warm for such a small addition. This is due to the fabric covering the large and important carotid artery, through which the entirety of your body's blood supply passes at high pressure. If you are super cold, layering a scarf on top of the turtleneck will provide an excellent amount of insulation.
Of course, any cold-weather garment should have long sleeves for extra warmth and the whole piece is long enough to be paired with high boots or booties for a more fashionable look.
Materials
- 1 1/2 to 2 yards of stretch velvet
- thread to match
Tools
- paper for making the collar
- pins or fabric weights (I like Dritz!)
- serger or double needle
- cover stitch machine
- jersey needle
- tape measure
Fabric Recommendations from Amazon.com
Sewing Skill: Confident Beginner
This project is suitable for confident beginners or intermediates. The shapes are simple and elegant. However, due to its figure-fitting nature, you may have to make extra adjustments to your particular body shape.
Take note that there is no seam allowance included with the pattern. I recommend a 3/8″ seam allowance.
Body Measurements
| Size | S | M | L | XL | 2XL | 3XL |
| Bust | 32-34 | 34-36 | 37-39 | 41-43 | 45-47 | 49-51 |
| Waist | 24 | 27 | 30 | 33 | 38 | 41 |
| Hips | 33 | 37 | 40 | 43 | 48 | 52 |
How To Download Your Turtleneck Dress Pattern
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Please use Adobe Reader to open and print the pattern. Adobe Reader is completely free and no other software is required. Print using Actual Size and Landscape Mode.
Turtleneck Dress Pattern Layout
How To Make Your Turtleneck Dress
Please remember that there is no seam allowance included with the pattern. I recommend a 3/8″ seam allowance.
We will start sewing at the shoulders.
Step One: Sewing The Bodice
Align the front and back of the dress print side facing each other.
Sew the shoulders (1) using a serger with four threads or your sewing machine using a small three steps zigzag.
Sew the side of the dress. Make a slit on the left of the dress.
Serge the sides of the dress separately from the hem to the end of the slit, then join the dress matching the slits and serge from the armhole to the slit.
Serge the other side of the dress from the armhole to the hem.
Step Three: Attaching The Sleeve
Sew along the arm (1) using a 3-step zigzag or your serger.
Attach the sleeve to the bodice (2), ensuring you attach the back of the sleeve to the back of the dress. There is a small notch on the sleeve to let you know what side is the front of the sleeve.
Step Three: Making The Collar
Measure the opening of the neckline and subtract 2″ from the measurement.
On a piece of paper, draw a rectangle that is the length of the measurement you got above with a height of six inches and three-quarter inches (17 cm).
If you want a certain height for your turtle neck you can increase or decrease this measurement here. Everyone's neck can be slightly different so don't be afraid of measuring yourself to make sure you'll be happy.
Fold the rectangle in half lengthwise. Sew forming a band.
Fold the band from top to bottom. Mark the band in four places.
Align the stitching line of the neckband to the back of the dress.
Align the other three marks with the corresponding parts of the neckline.
Step Four: Finishing Your Dress
All we need now is to hem the bodice and the sleeve. Use your serger or your cover stitch. If you do not have either, turn the hem and use any of the stretchable stitches in your sewing machine.
Turn and sew the hem first.
Turn the slit and sew.
I'm first going to try and pair this dress with some boots and a warm vest. Let me know in the comments below what look you'll be going for.
Now is the perfect time to get ahead of the curve and piece together a stylish and robust fall and winter wardrobe. Look forward to more easy and fun projects like this turtleneck dress pattern. Until Next Time, Happy Sewing!
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I’m not crazy about velvet, and I insist on wearing natural fibers. What other knit fabrics could I use? How much stretch should they have?
I understand your taste. What I am using is indeed silk velvet, very soft and warm. Your dress should be at least 50% stretch knit.
Thankyou for the wonderful pattern. I have been looking for a turtle neck shirt pattern to combat the -30c temps of S. Saskatchewan winter and your pattern was perfect.
Thank you for the pattern. I’m going to wear the dress over a pair of wide legged trousers!
This I would love to see!
Hi, Do you think this pattern would work with a sweater knit fabric?
Hi Dawn, the important thing about using a different fabric is the amount of stretch in the fabric. You need at least 40% to avoid placing a zipper.
For me booties will be the best: Thak you so much for thi work !
I am curious as to why there is no seam allowance included, which is standard on the majority of patterns. Thanks!
Thanks for such as a nice pattern and I can’t wait to try it out. FIESTA!!!!
Love the fabric of your dress and the pattern!
Please change waste to waist under body measurements.
Hi Lynnette, done. Thanks so much for letting me know.
In the southern hemisphere we’re coming into spring/summer although we’re still having quite a few cold days here and there.
Even for this style of dress, in knit/stretch fabric, I know I’d need a bust dart, due to being somewhat generously endowed. So I’d definitely need to make a test version (toile/muslin) to get the fit right. Although an FBA first would be a good start. I remember when I was slimmer and a b cup (over 45 yrs ago) I could wear anything!! And I would have snapped this up! Nonetheless, thanks for the free pattern.
So there is enough stretch in the stretch velvet to pull this over the head without breaking any of the stitching but having a snug turtleneck? Any other stretch fabric weights you would recommend?
Hi Debbie, the fabric I used is stretch velvet, the turtle neck is not so tight around the neck, and the neckline is a little lower, leaving enough space to put the dress on without reaping any stitches. Rib knit and cable knit are the only other fabrics I would recommend.
There are no instructions for the actual sewing of the turtleneck. It looks like you have sewn two horizontal stitchings around the band. Is that before or after sewing it to the Dress. You have no interfacing on the pattern, is it not necessary with velvet?
Hi Dell, yes, I offer free patterns that instructions are always sent in my newsletter, and you need to use the printing button on the side of the screen to print the instructions without the ads.