Making A Ready To Smock Bishop Dress PDF Instructions With Simple Back Placket

Constructing a bishop dress before smocking it is my "go to" method for making ALL of my bishop dress for many years - both fancy as well as casual dresses. In 2012 the instructions for this were in the Sew Beautiful magazine. Because that is no longer available and I continue to get requests for these instructions, I am offering them here.

THIS IS NOT A PATTERN FOR A BISHOP DRESS. A bishop dress pattern and a pleater will be required to make the dress. These instructions will supplement the bishop pattern. Any bishop dress pattern will work. No smocking instructions are included.

These instructions will include how to adapt any pattern for a simple, 2-button back placket along with how to construct the dress successfully before smocking. Bishop dresses that use snaps, loops, etc. for closures are notorious for not staying closed when being worn. This placket in the back eliminates that problem. The placket is simple enough for anyone to make, not the typical placket that is used.

Making the dress as a ready to smock allows you to complete the smocking and then save the fun smocking for later. I like to have several of these on hand so that I can whip up a quick, but beautiful handmade baby gift.

This is an instant download PDF purchase and will be available as a digital download from your Etsy purchases/account as soon as payment has cleared.

This is a digital PDF file. The instructions are a PDFdownload and can be printed on a home printer or enjoyed from your tablet, phone or computer. Nothing will be sent out via mail.

SKILL LEVEL

These instructions are suitable for seamstresses that are familiar with smocking patterns and with a knowledge of smocking. No smocking instructions are provided.

HOW TO BUY

Be sure that you are SIGNED INTO your Etsy account if you want the files to always be available for you to download!!! Buying as a guest will not give you that option! Once the payment is received, ETSY (NOT ME!!!) will send you a link with the files ready to download. Alternately, you can access these files in your "purchases" on your account.

Do NOT use the Etsy app on your phone or Apple pay to purchase as they will cause problems with getting the email from Etsy with the link as well as the file will not be in your Etsy account.

** How to find and download your digital pattern after purchase: https://www.etsy.com/help/article/3949

HOW TO DOWNLOAD, PRINT AND USE THE PATTERNS

The instructions can be printed on regular 8-1/2" x 11" printer paper. However, viewing it online on a tablet allows you can zoom in on the detailed pictures. A PDF reader is required to view and print the files, such as Adobe Reader. DO NOT DOWNLOAD OR PRINT FROM A PHONE OR TABLET. A printer is required to print the pages.

A desktop or laptop computer is required in order to save and print these instructions.

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

I am happy to assist with any problems regarding your purchase and/or download. If you are looking for the download links that are emailed to you, I don't send that nor do I even know how to do that - it comes from Etsy so you would need to contact Etsy about that. Sewing/construction questions will be answered as time allows.

SHOP POLICIES

Because the digital nature of this pattern, no refunds are given. As with all PDF patterns, file sharing is not allowed and violates copyright laws. You are buying one pattern for your personal use.