Tops + Tunics + Dresses

Florence is a sweet swingy top and dress with a button back detail and soft high low gathers.

Suggested Fabrics: Light weight fabrics with some drape like cotton, tencel or linen. If you choose something with less drape the top will have a more sculptural look.

You will need 3 x 14 – 15mm buttons.

This is a paper pattern that includes sizes UK 6 – 18.

Fabric requirements:

The balloon sleeves of this simple top and dress are the only detail that it requires to stand out. Less is more. The full sleeves are gathered with a tie which is threaded through a buttonhole, alternatively you can omit this buttonhole and insert elastic instead.

Skill level – intermediate. This is a paper pattern that includes sizes UK 6 – 18.

Suggested Fabrics: lighter weight woven fabrics, linen and linen blends, poplin, hemp and hemp blends, cotton chambray, rayon, and rayon blends. The more structured the fabric the more sculptural your top will look.

Fabric Requirements with or without nap (in metres) 

Top

This modern, slim-fitting t-shirt pattern that can be made with a crew-neck or a 1” wide henley placket and long or short sleeves. Use either fine or medium weight knits to create either a shirt or light sweater. The sleeves and hem can be turned and hemmed or finished with bands.

Instructions for sewing with knits are thorough and include finishing suggestions, step-by-step illustrations and both beginner or intermediate sewing options.

Please see the image of the back of the pattern for sizing and fabric requirements.

Tunic No. 1 is a dropped-shoulder top with two options for length, a cropped shirt or tunic. This relaxed garment is perfect for layering and stitches up quickly! The neck is finished with bias tape facing and there is an optional patch pocket. First published in issue 8 of Taproot Magazine.

Bust measurement (your body size):

XS: 32"
S: 35"
M: 38"
L: 41"
XL: 44"
2XL: 47"
3XL: 50"
4XL: 53"

Fabric requirements:
2 1/4 - 2 5/8 yards (2.1 - 2.4 meters) for the tunic length or
1 7/8 - 2/14 yards (1.75 - 2.1 meters) for the shirt length

The pattern is best suited to mid to light weight cotton, linen, or natural fiber blend fabric (no jersey or knits)

The instruction book takes you through all the steps, from tracing and cutting the pattern pieces, attaching the sleeves, to making and sewing bias tape. The pattern is printed on bond paper, with four nested sizes.

A voluminous A-line dress

View A: 3/4 length raglan sleeves, large side pockets, invisible zip, bound neckline and wide hem facing, optional waist sash.

View A Notions:

40cm (16in.) invisible zip

Coordinating thread

1m (1yd.) x35mm (1 1/4in.) single fold bias tape

View B: Sleeveless, back button closure, in-seam pockets, neckline and armholes finished with bias binding. Optional waist sash

View B Notions:

3 x 10mm (5/8in.) buttons

Coordinating thread

2m (2 1/4yd.) x35mm (1 1/4in.) single fold bias tape

small strip lightweight iron on interfacing for button stand (if required)

The Metamorphic Dress is a wardrobe-building dress for all seasons.

Featuring a high/low waist seam and complete reversibility, it's inspired by the possibility of layers - wear it with the tiered skirt and patch pockets, or flip it inside out and enjoy a basic, single-layer pinafore with in-seam pockets. Layer it over jeans, leggings, or a mid-length Stasia Dress, or layer it under your favorite woven tee or knitted cardigan. Wear it on the beach over your swimsuit or favorite short-sleeve, fitted knit tee.

The fit is easy, with no bodice darts and plenty of room for the waist. (It is drafted for a D-cup and below.) Learn how to use the fun "Burrito Method" for making a reversible bodice with the included video tutorial. 

Materials:

Choose a fabric with a nice drape, such as sand washed rayon or silk noil. For a more structured dress you can use cotton ikat or linen.

• 44"-wide fabric: 2.5 yards for the top layer and 2 5/8 yards for the under layer

• 54"-wide fabric: 2 1/8 yards for the top layer and 2 1/4 yards for the under layer

Part of our Rome Collection, the Cielo Dress & Top is an easy, breezy take on a boxy tee and shift dress. Loaded with interesting details and interchangeable features, it will fast become a wardrobe building favourite.

Choose between a semi-cropped top with a cuffed short sleeve (View A) or dramatic gathered long sleeve (View B). Or, make an easy fitting dress with sleek inseam pockets (View C), or without pockets (View D). All views have a slightly dropped shoulder, angled shoulder yoke and roomy fit, with a choice between an elegant bias binding or faced neckline finish.

SUGGESTED FABRIC

This pattern can be made with a variety of fabrics depending on the desired effect. For a more structured shape, use light to medium weight wovens such as linen, chambray, or cotton shirtings. For a drapier effect, use rayon challis, tencel, cotton voile or silk.

ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES

• Lightweight non-stretch fusible interfacing (.25 yd / .25m)
• Polyester thread
• Marking tool

Flattering and easy to wear, the Tea House is a great pattern with a variety of options for different looks. Use a silk or rayon fabric with some drape for a vintage inspired look while a cotton yarn dyed stripe can lend a more modern feel.

This is an advanced beginner/ intermediate level pattern sizes 0 - 20

The Tea House features: a V-neckline with front and back neck yokes, front seaming, in-seam angled pockets (for the dress versions), a back neck box pleat, cuffed dolman short sleeves and two different tie options.

Views A, B, & C feature wide under the bust, inseam ties that can be tied behind the back or doubled around to the front.

Views D, E & F feature a spaghetti waist tie that threads through a back tunnel and can be tied in the front or for just a bit of waist definition, tied behind the back.

There are three different length options - views A & D are hip length tops, views B & E are above the knee length dresses and views C & F are tea length dresses. There are no closures to sew - just slip it on over the head and tie!

The Mississippi Avenue Dress or Top has a very feminine, flattering and easy style.  As a sleeveless style, it lends itself to spring and summer dressing however, it makes a great transition piece when paired with a cardigan, tights and boots. It can have a vintage look to it when sewn in a fabric such as rayon challis or something with some drape to it. It can have a more modern look to it when sewn in a crisp linen or cotton. Any way you fashion it, it's a great style.  It features a V-neckline, spaghetti shoulder ties, an elastic almost empire waist (slightly higher than the natural waistline) and has a front panel that creates a slimming and interesting design feature. There are 3 options for length - Dress C falls a little below the knee, Dress B falls above the knee and Top A falls below the high hip. This is a beginner level pattern.  

Sizes 0 - 20

Inspired by the fisherman of Brittany this simple top or dress could become a wardrobe staple. Slim fitted top our A line dress with an inside breast pocket and pockets in the side seams.

Skill level: Advanced beginner

This is a multi-size paper pattern in an envelope, including sizes 6 – 18. 1.5cm seam allowance is included in the pattern unless otherwise stated.

We recommend using 5 – 10oz non stretch denim, cotton chambray, cotton weaves, linen and corduroy.

You will also need:

• Matching thread
• Contrast thread
• 1 x button approx 15mm

A note about pre washing your denim if you are going to use a mid-heavy denim for your Francine:

We recommend pre washing your denim before sewing. Putting a large piece of medium-heavy weight denim into the washing machine can sometimes lead to white creases in the denim, this is because it is a stiff fabric so it doesn’t have room to move around. We recommend doing the following to help this not to happen:

• Wash your denim on its own for the first wash. You don’t need to use detergent if you don’t want to.
• Wet the fabric first before putting it into the drum.
• If you can break up your denim fabric into half this will help. Or if you have your pattern already you may be able to break it into smaller parts by looking at the lay plan – leave some wiggle room!
• For the first wash use a delicate 30 degree cycle with a low spin.
• If any white creases develop ironing whilst still damp will help.
• Do not tumble dry.

The Japanese inspired lines of the Gyo make a neat and decisive statement. Wear as an evening dress or as cool and beautiful summer wear.

Skill level: Advanced Beginner

Recommended Fabric: light to medium weight woven cloth such as linen, double gauze or cotton poplin. Using a crispy tightly woven cloth will make a boxy sculptural top, whereas linen will give you something much softer and flowing. Don’t use anything too thick as the skinny strap needs to be turned through. The top takes little fabric so it’s a great excuse to use something special.

This is a multi-size paper pattern in an envelope, including sizes 6 – 18. Seam allowances are 1.5cm and are included in the pattern.

The Day Dress has a fitted bodice, gathered skirt and inner pockets. With three ways of making the front bodice, your options are endless. All views have an invisible zip at the back.

View A has a seam at the centre front.
View B has buttons/button holes at the centre front.
View C has no seam at the centre front.

Adult Pattern sizes
UK 6 - UK 22

Suggested Fabrics

Lightweight to medium weight fabrics are perfect for this pretty dress.

Not suitable for stripes, diagonals or plaids.

Always allow extra fabric to match one way designs.

Supplies Needed

View A & C - Fabric, thread, 56cm/22" invisible zipper, 1m elastic (6mm wide).

View B - Fabric, thread, 56cm/22" invisible zipper, 1m elastic (6mm wide), x6 1.5cm buttons, buttonhole presser foot, 0.50m iron on interfacing.

What's included

• Pattern printed on high quality white pattern paper


• Beautiful step by step instruction booklet


• Guide on taking your measurements


• Fabric and Sewing basics help card


• Sewing Terms Demystified card


• Checklist card to ensure you have covered everything before starting your project


• Information on The Avid Seamstress

Little girl pattern for ages 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 years. Inspired by the classic sailor bib, we pay homage to the ancient port of Rye (our hometown).

Skill level: Intermediate

Irresistibly redolant of carefree summer days and never growing up, the skipper is born to play. Featuring relaxed styling for easy dressing in rough seas, the Skipper has dropped shoulders and casual rolled cuffs whilst the neckline has an internal popper at the front V insert. Our sample has been made using our Goodnight laundered linen. We recommend medium to lightweight woven fabrics such as denim, cotton chambray, laundered linen or lightweight wool. You will also need a plastic dress popper, approximately 0.75m of shop bought 13mm bias binding, matching thread and lightweight fusible interfacing.