Sew Over It Joan Dress

Based on the wardrobe of Mad Men’s iconic Joan Holloway, the Joan Dress should be a staple in the wardrobe of any vintage lover. A fitted bodice and skirt give the dress a sassy, feminine feel that the real Joan herself would adore, with flattering darts at the waist and back shoulder. Stylish ¾ length sleeves and a gently scooped neckline adorned with a 60's-inspired tie collar give the dress a chic, elegant feel. The slim skirt is designed to hit below the knee and sports a kick pleat at the back hem. The whole dress is fully lined, giving you an exquisite professional-feeling finish. Whilst perfect for the office, Joan is also up for a few drinks after work and even likes to go for a fancy dinner every once in a while!

Something AWESOME about Sew Over It is their versatile pattern-swapping possibilities; for most of their designs you can add the bodice of one to the skirt of another (and vice-versa) to create your own unique variation! Joan is especially perfect for mixing and matching with its Mad Men sister dress, Betty: combining the Betty Dress bodice with the Joan Dress skirt makes for the perfect slinky party dress, whereas adding Betty’s circle skirt to Joan’s bodice gives you a fun alternative for the office.

Recommended Fabrics:
Joan works beautifully in a variety of different woven fabrics. A medium weight drapey fabric with some structure is recommended – you don’t want to use anything too lightweight and fluid. For the cooler months, lightweight wools work gorgeously and suiting fabrics are perfect. For the lining we like to use rayon, a lightweight crepe de chine or acetate.

Materials & Supplies:


Notions: 22” invisible zipper

Sizes: 8-20 (UK), 4-18 (US)

Difficulty: Intermediate. Joan is aimed at intermediate dressmakers who have made a few garments before; they recommend you have experience inserting an invisible zip and attaching sleeves. Check out their handy sewalong for extra tips and tricks, especially on Joan’s sophisticated features like the collar, kick pleat, and luxurious lining!