Women's Clothing

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.

Difficulty:

The Camp Shirt + Dress pattern makes a classic convertible-collar blouse and dress. Details include a yoke and optional chest pockets. The blouse (View A) includes a curved hem and long sleeves with a button cuff and tower placket. The dress (View B) features a curved hem and cuffed short sleeves. This pattern includes separate pieces for A/B, C, and D cup sizes to get you the perfect fit.

Suggested Fabrics:

This pattern works best with light- to medium-weight woven drapey fabrics like linen, silk, and rayon. It can also be sewn in crisp fabrics like cotton shirting, lawn, and voile.

Notions:

Coordinating thread, featherweight fusible interfacing, nine 3/8"–1/2" buttons.

Difficulty:

This easy-to-sew and easy-to-wear pull-on, loose-fitting, sleeveless blouse features a keyhole back opening, side panels to provide a contrast fabric option, darts for shaping, and separate pattern pieces for A/B, C, and D cups to enhance fit. The pattern eliminates side seams for a fun and unusual take on a slightly boxy top, and it has a gentle shaped hem and bias facings at the neck and arms.

Suggested Fabrics:

This pattern works best with drapey woven fabrics such as silk, loosely woven cottons, double gauze, linen, rayon, and crepe. Pair two different fabrics for the front/back and side panels.

Notions:

Coordinating thread, one 3/8" button, featherweight fusible interfacing.

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

 Slacks are defined as trousers for casual wear. While we don’t hear that term much these days, we think it is time to embrace it again. The Free Range Slacks pattern is as easy to wear as its name. You will feel free to roam in the comfort of a stylish, elastic high waist when you wear these pants. Although they were designed with linen in mind, these pants are so comfortable that we think you will want to make them in a multitude of fabrics and wear them all year long in any season.     

   There are two options - a tapered leg version and a straight, cropped version. Both have an elastic high waist, side panels, front pockets that are topstiched in place from behind, and an optional back patch pocket(s). The tapered legs look great rolled up so the finished garment measurements show rolled and unrolled measurements and the instructions include options for French and flat-fell leg seams.

Options & Features:

- high waist with wide elastic waistband

- front slash pockets

- side panels

- optional back pocket(s)

- tapered leg OR

- straight, cropped leg

This is an advanced beginner pattern.  Sizes 00 - 20

The Zoe Dress is a semi-fitted shift with beautiful, unusual design lines. It features princess seams at the front and back, which gently sculpt the dress to your body, and a french dart to fit the dress at the bust.

With no waist seam, the long princess lines elongate the body to create a flattering silhouette, gently bringing you in at the waist. Darts at the back neckline fit the dress to your shoulders to eliminate gape, and a facing finishes the neckline beautifully.

Zoe comes with two sleeve length options – a shorter sleeve, perfect for summer or underneath cardigans, and a classic 3/4 length for cooler weather. The dress closes at the center back with a neat invisible zip, and the front princess seams house everyone's favorite in-seam pockets.

Perfect for work, Zoe is the ultimate outfit-in-one for those days when you need to head out of the door in a hurry. Practical yet chic and stylish, pair her with a blazer for a smart office look, or a chunky necklace and heels for an evening out.

Sewing Level: Advanced Beginner

Fabric Suggestions:Zoe works best in medium weight woven fabrics with some structure and body. Think chambray, lightweight denims, cotton poplin, stretch cotton and sateen, lightweight wool, suiting, brocades, jacquards, as well as medium to heavy weight crepes. For a summer dress cotton lawn would also work nicely. We recommending avoiding anything too lightweight with lots of drape (such as rayon), as these won’t hold the shape of the dress.

The Marguerite Dress is the quintessential everyday dress. Feminine yet comfy, and flattering on a wide range of figures, Marguerite is the kind of dress you’ll want to live in over the Summer.

Marguerite features a semi-fitted bodice, with bust darts and pretty gathering into the waistband. The gathering is mirrored on the knee-length skirt, which features cleverly-constructed in-seam pockets. The sleeves are grown-on and are finished with unique tapering cuffs. The dress has a pretty slit detail in the centre back, and closes with both an invisible zip and hook and eye. The neckline is finished with a facing.

Sewing Level: Advanced Beginner to Intermediate

Fabric Suggestions:Very versatile, the Marguerite Dress can be sewn in a range of woven fabrics. If you’re a beginner we recommend choosing a cotton lawn, poplin, voile, chambray, seersucker or swiss dot, whilst intermediate stitchers can tackle fabrics with more drape, such as rayon, georgette and lightweight crepes.

The Doris Dress is the perfect summer’s day dress. Feminine and romantic, throw it on and you’ll be set for that picnic in the park, day out at the beach, or hey, even a stint at the office. A truly versatile wardrobe staple, the Doris Dress will keep you looking elegant and put-together no matter what you get up to this season.

Inspired by Lisa’s love of vintage 1950’s fashion and pretty feminine shapes, the Doris Dress is semi-fitted with a flattering scooped neck bodice, bust pleats for delicate shaping and floaty grown-on sleeves. The waist can be left unfitted for warmer days, or cinched in at the back with the attached ties or fixed back belt.

The fluted panelled skirt has two length variations – short and cute above the knee, or an elegant below the knee option. The Doris Dress closes with a concealed zip in the side seam and has an optional buttonhole closure at the centre front. The bodice is finished with facings for a neat finish on the inside.

Sewing Level:The Doris Dress is an intermediate level sewing pattern. You will need to know how to insert a concealed zip.

Fabric Suggestions:We recommend a lightweight woven fabric for the Doris Dress, ideally with a good amount of drape. The skirt and grown-on sleeves will hang best if the fabric has some drape. Think rayon, viscose and crepe. However the Doris Dress also works beautifully in cotton, so if you’re not experienced sewing with drapey fabrics and would prefer to use something more stable, you could try a cotton lawn, poplin, or a lightweight linen.

The Chloe Coat is a beautifully classic coat with simple details and an exquisite finish. With lined patch pockets, a pretty rounded neck and optional detachable scarf, it’s easy to wear, versatile and looks great with any outfit. For casual days pair Chloe with the Edie Top and Mia Jeans, or for a more dressy affair try her with a silk Ultimate Shift Dress or slinky Nancy.

• Sizes : 34 to 46


• Level : 3/5

The Ashland A-line Skirt and Culottes pattern offers options! The skirt pattern is a gentle a-line that can be a knee-length, mid-length or maxi length skirt. The culottes are full and flared and also offer 3 different length options. Both styles feature a fitted waistband with a shaped back for a perfect, comfortable fit. The pattern is sized from XS to XL.

This simple and pretty A-line skirt with high waistband is quick to sew and flattering to wear. Version 1 has a pointed center waist, version 2 has a shaped curved band. Version 3 has a straight waistband, with skirt cut on the bias. Choose a striped fabric with Version 3 for a beautiful chevron effect at the front and back!

Women's sizes 0-18.

Skill level: Beginner

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

Pants no. 1 is an elastic-waist pair of cropped pants with a relaxed fit. Make your handmade wardrobe complete with multiple pairs of fancy pants! The pattern calls for mid-weight fabric, such as linen, cotton, or natural fiber blend.

This pattern contains sizes XS through 4XL - See Below for measurements.

45 inch (114 cm) wide fabric - 2.5 yards (2.3 meters)

An instruction booklet walks you through the steps, from tracing and cutting the pattern pieces, to inserting the elastic waistband. The pattern is printed on two sheets of bond paper, with eight nested sizes.

Your body size:

XS waist: 26 in (66 cm) hips: 36 in (91 cm)

S waist: 30 in (76 cm) hips: 40 in (102 cm)

M waist: 34 in (86 cm) hips: 42 in (107 cm)

L waist: 38 in (96 cm) hips: 44 in (112 cm)

XL waist: 42 in (107 cm) hips: 52 in (132 cm)

2XL waist: 46 in (117 cm) hips: 56 in (142 cm)

3XL waist: 50 in (127 cm) hips: 60 in (152 cm)

4XL waist: 54 in (137 cm) hips: 64 in (163 cm)

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.

Dress No. 3 is a caftan with a V-neck front and center seam. The sleeves and body are one piece and side vents add to the freedom of movement. It's perfect for lounging inside or pool-side. You will want to wear this everywhere.

Bust measurement (your body size):

XS: 32 inches (81 cm)
S: 35 inches (89 cm)
M: 38 inches (97 cm)
L: 41 inches (104 cm)

Fabric requirements:
2 5/8 - 3 yards (2.4 - 2.75 meters)

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

The instruction book takes you through all the steps, from tracing and cutting the pattern pieces, to making and sewing bias tape. Dress length is 42 inches (117 cm) - 45 inches (124 cm) from shoulder. The pattern is printed on bond paper, with four nested sizes.

Dress No. 1 is a sleeveless dress that is extremely wearable with a flattering A-line silhouette. The neck and armholes are finished with bias tape facing and top-stitched patch pockets add both flair and utility.

Bust measurement (your body size):

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

The pattern calls for 2 - 2.5 yards (2 - 2.3 meters) cotton, linen, wool or natural fiber blend woven fabric (no jersey or knits).

An instruction booklet walks you through the steps, from tracing and cutting the pattern pieces, to making and sewing bias tape. The pattern is printed on bond paper, with eight nested sizes.

This sweet and flattering dress features a cut-out scoop neckline, an above-the-knee hemline, pockets, and shirring in the back for an easy, comfortable fit. No zippers or closures are needed, making it a wonderful project for the intermediate sewist! The pattern can be made without sleeves, with a basic scoop neckline, as a tunic, or with a longer skirt to achieve a large number of different looks.

Materials:
Light to medium-weight cotton or cotton-blend fabrics such as shirting, voile, double gauze, quilting cotton, poplin or cotton-linen blends
1 1/4 yard prepackaged single-fold bias tape (or cut your own 1 1/4" wide bias strips)
Elastic thread
Lightweight interfacing (for the bodice facings)