This 1930s floor-length evening gown exudes elegance. The star-studded midnight crepe fabric hugs the body starting at the fitted empire midriff, then flares at the bias-cut skirt’s hem. Sprinkled with light-catching silver crystals, the bodice offers extra glitter at the neck and waist with large, faceted azure stones. The real star of this show is the arm treatment. As an alternative to sleeves, a shaped band encircles the armscye in a silhouette-changing detail that defines the waistline and flatters the arm. See more about this shaped band from Threads #164 below.

Adjust the bodice pattern

Start with any sleeveless pattern. If the front pattern has a side-seam bust dart, rotate it to the front hem. Trace a copy of the front and back pattern pieces. Draw all changes on these patterns, and then trace copies of the smaller pieces that overlap.

1. On the front pattern, draw a new armscye…