Sewing Tutorial: Anachronistic V-Neck/Deshasheh Dress Inspired Garment
By Talia bint al-Athir, OP -Kingdom of An Tir
This tutorial will teach you to create a beautiful and timeless Anachronistic V-Neck/Deshasheh dress I designed, inspired by ancient Egyptian fashion with this step-by-step sewing tutorial. This dress is perfect for historical reenactments or that busy Scadian who wishes to remain comfortable and practicle while also looking period-ish.
Materials Needed:
- Fabric of your choice (linen is traditional)
- Thread
- Sewing machine or needle for hand sewing
- Measuring tape
- Scissors
- Elastic or cord (if adding a casing)
Instructions:
Bodice:
- Cut the Fabric:
- Cut two smaller rectangles for the bodice. The width of each rectangle should be the distance from the center bust to the side seam. The length should be measured from under the bust, over the shoulder, to the bra band.
- Form the Shoulder to Neckline
- Fold the length of each rectangle in half to create the shoulder to neckline.
- Sew the Side Seams:
- Sew the outside side seam of each rectangle 4-7 inches to form an armhole. This joins the front and back pieces.
- Attach the Rectangles:
- Sew the two rectangles together along the center seam at the front and back. Sew 2-5 inches at the front and 5 inches at the back to create the bodice. You can gather the fabric at the shoulders if desired for a more tailored look or cut from the armhole to the desired width at the shoulder.
- Finish the Edges:
- Hem the edges of the neckline and armholes for a neat finish.
Skirt:
- Measure and Cut the Fabric:
- Measure around the widest part of your bottom half when seated to allow for spread. This measurement will be the minimum width of your fabric.
- Decide on the shape of your skirt:
- For a fitted look at the under bust, cut the fabric to match the exact width of your bodice.
- For a traditional bag dress, sew the skirt in a tube.
- For a fuller skirt, add extra width to your measurements.
- Shape this skirt:
- If you prefer a more fitted skirt, shape it to match the bodice width for easy attachment without pleating.
- For a fuller skirt, add a casing at the top and gather the skirt with cord or elastic.
Completing the Dress:
- Attach the Bodice to the Skirt:
- Sew the bodice to the skirt along the waistline or casing, ensuring the right sides of the fabric are facing each other.
- Hem the Skirt:
- Hem the skirt to your desired length. For a more fitted dress, consider making it calf length and adding a slit for ease of walking. For fuller skirts, a floor or ankle length is ideal.
- Final Touches:
- Press all seams and hems for a polished look.
By following these steps, you can create a stunning Anachronistic V-Neck/Deshasheh dress that combines historical inspiration with your personal style. Enjoy your new garment and the sense of timeless elegance it brings!
Dress Inspiration
Egyptian Faience. Third Intermediate Period to Late Period. c. 945-600 BC. Metropolitan Museum of Art. 17.194.2214
Gallery of dresses I have made using this tutorial
