How To Make A Tiered Maxi Dress With Free Pattern

I cannot wait to show you this dress! I’m going to show you How To Make A Tiered Maxi Dress With Free Pattern! This super easy, fun and twirly dress is just the project to spark your creativity. Choose your favorite colors and make a unique dress that will get you compliments everywhere you go. Color block it, or make it in one solid color – any choice will ensure a really trendy cute dress to wear.  Wear as-is or with a belt to change the look. Leave off skirt layers to make a top or a shorter dress. You can get so much out of this pattern. That is one of the reasons I love this pattern. I think this dress turned out so cute and I love the pattern fabric I found!

Gather up your supplies from the list below and let’s get started! Also you will want to make some time to check out this post on 20 sewing hacks that I share tips that will make even sewing this maxi dress easier!

35 Free dress patterns for women

What You’ll Need:

• 3.25 Yards Of 60″ Wide Fabric – bodice/top – knit with 50% horizontal stretch Skirt – Can be made of woven or knit fabrics: Woven – cotton, lightweight linen, and denim, chambray, rayon, poplin Knits – cotton lycra, double brushed poly, bamboo lycra, interlock
• Matching Thread
• Free Tiered Maxi Dress Pattern
• Pins
• Scissors 
• Measuring tape 
• Optional Rotary Cutter & Mat
• Sewing machine

Size Chart:

Imperial (inches)	Small	Medium	Large
Chest	34	36	38
Waist	28	30	32
Hip	38	40	42

 This tiered maxi dress pattern is drafted for a height of 5’ 4”- 5” 5”. Wanting to sew this in a smaller size or a bigger size?  Then check out our post on How to Scale a pattern up and down.

Printing Instructions

This tiered maxi dress pattern has layers, so that you can choose to print only the size you need. To achieve this Adobe Reader must be installed on your machine or device. Adobe Reader allows you to click on the layers icon which will show you each size with an eyeball beside it. Click on the eyeball beside the size you do not want to print. Before printing check that your printer is set to No scaling or Actual size. Set the Page orientation to Auto or Portrait. And then print page 1. Measure the 2” test square to see if it measures exactly 2”. If it does, print the remaining pages.

Trimming Pages

Cut off the right and top margins of each printed page before assembling the pattern. You can use tape or school glue to adhere your paper pattern together. 

Pattern Assembly

After the pages have been printed and trimmed as instructed above, use the quarter circles located at the corner of each page for perfect alignment.  When done your pattern should look like this: 

Pattern Pieces Checklist

Once you have printed and assembled your pattern you will cut:

• Front Bodice   – Cut one on fold
• Back  Bodice   – Cut one on fold
• Skirt Tier 1 – Cut 2
• Skirt Tier 2 – Cut 2 on Fold
• Skirt Tier 3 – Cut 4

Seam Allowance

Use a 3/8” seam allowance unless otherwise instructed. Sew all knits with a stretch stitch such as a zigzag or a lightning stitch where applicable.

How To Make A Tiered Maxi Dress With Free Pattern

The first step in this how to make a tiered maxi dress with free pattern sewing tutorial is to print and cut out your pattern. You can also wash, dry, and press your fabric if you want. This process acts as preshrink for your fabric so your stitches don’t pull out the first time you wash it. Once you have your pattern assembled, use it to cut out your fabric pieces.

We will start off by making the top part of the dress. Pin the bodice pieces right sides together and sew at the shoulder and side seams.  Be sure to use a stretch stitch. 

Double fold over the neck and the sleeve hem by 1/2” and sew. Set aside

For the skirt tiers, place fabrics right sides together and pin the short ends. Sew. 

Repeat for Tier 2. Each tier will be a fabric piece sewn in a circle. Finish all raw edges with a serger or zigzag stitch. 

For tier 3, pin all the tiers together at the short ends and sew until you have a complete circle of fabric. 

Finish all raw edges with a serger or zigzag stitch. 

Next on this tiered maxi dress sewing tutorial, you will sew a long basting stitch around the top of tier 1 ,2 and 3

Pull on the basting threads in Tier 1 and gather the fabric until it is the same width as the bodice. 

Pin the bodice and the skirt right sides together and sew.

Pull on the basting threads in Tier 2 and gather the fabric until it is the same width as hem of Tier 1. Pin tier 1 and tier 2 right sides together and sew. 

 Pull on the basting threads in Tier 3 and gather the fabric until it is the same width as hem of Tier 2. Pin tier 3 and tier 2 right sides together and sew. 

For the last step in this tiered maxi dress sewing project is to hem your dress. Do this by double folding the hem of tier 3 by ½” and sewing. This will form the hem of the skirt.

And that’s it! Now you know how to make a tiered maxi dress with free pattern! This is a fun project and I think this dress looks amazing. It is great for any occasion. Pick out some fabric you love and sew your own lovely dress today!

If you liked learning how to make a tiered maxi dress with free pattern, make sure to pin it to your favorite Pinterest board or share it with friends on social media. If you decide to make this simple project on your own, make certain that you take a picture afterward and tag us on social media as we love seeing the fabrics and color choices that people use!

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