Modesty Panel

Corset back dresses often need a modesty panel in the back for a little extra coverage.  Here's how they are made.

• Measure length and width of finished panel and add a minimum of 3" to the width and 2" to the length.

• cut a panel the size of your measurements on the fold (the fold will be the top of the panel.

• Apply Iron-on interfacing to entire panel

•  Press the whole panel -- especially the fold

• In order to add stability to the panel you will add several pieces of sew-through boning horizontally and vertically.  Cut each piece of boning about 1" shorter than the area it will be applied and angle edges to mimic the angle of the panel.  Here's a few pictures in case this is confusing!

The first piece will be applied right along the fold

Evenly space the rest of the stays

Now add the vertical stays --sew right over the top of the others

wrong side

right side

• Fold in half with right sides together
• Stitch down one side and across the bottom

• Turn right side out, fold in the seam allowance on the open side and top stitch closed.

Here's what the front and back will look like:

Here's what a more narrow panel will look like ( this one only has one horizontal stay

• Add snaps to one side of panel and dress

• Hand stitch the panel to the dress about 1" from the edge and down about 2-3 inches.

Here is what it should look like all finished: