Women's Clothing

Women's Shift Dress + Top Sewing Pattern by Wiksten

A loose shift dress and top. Choose from three different lengths: a cropped top, above-the-knee dress, or calf-length dress with side slits.

This loose shift is both comfortable and elegant, the perfect wardrobe staple. Choose from three different lengths: a cropped top, above-the-knee dress, or calf-length dress with side slits. The top has a plain back, while the dress has added fullness from back gathers. Patch pockets, waist tie, and three quarter length sleeve options are included. Neck is finished with an easy-to-sew facing.

Sizes: US Women's sizes 0-22. Model is 5'11" tall and a size 4 and is wearing a 4 in the top and a 0 in the dress (dress has more ease than top). The oversized fit makes it possible to size down, but the bicep needs at least 3" ease for comfort. Finished garment measurements are included in the pattern.

Printed pattern: tissue paper pattern sheet and 6.5"x 8.5" instruction booklet with black and white illustrations and color photos in a 7"x 9"recycled paper envelope.

Materials (*yardage requirements shown in Size Chart*)
-light to medium weight fabric with good drape, such as brushed cotton, gauze, voile, lawn, flannel, chambray, linen, silk crepe, charmeuse, silk noil, rayon
-1/4 yd lightweight fusible interfacing to add structure to neck facing (optional).

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:

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)

 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 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

Thelma will take time to put together, but make it well and wear it absolutely everywhere. Skill level – experienced.

This is a multi-size paper pattern including sizes 6 – 18. All seam allowances are 1.5cm unless stated otherwise and are included in the pattern.

We would suggest using the following fabrics – medium weight wovens such as sanded twill, 5 – 8oz denims, yarn dyed linens with some stability, and cotton poplin. If you are an experienced sewer you could try tencel, tencel/linen, corduroy, more floppy linens, prints and checks.

This jacket is made for the outdoors! Big pockets for dog walking, a large hood for windy coastal walks, and roomy to fit a cozy jumper underneath! It features a drawstring waist (optional), side and front pockets and a funnel neck with zip fastening.

The Landgate requires a fair amount of top stitching and accuracy so we recommend you have completed some intermediate dressmaking projects first. This is also an ideal make to gift someone as a present.

Level – Advanced

We recommend using oilskin (waxed canvas) or dry oilskin, but you could also use a cotton canvas or denim.

Please note this is a unisex pattern.

We will cover the following:

• How to follow a paper pattern, learning about the pattern markings and what they mean.
• Following a lay plan and cutting out your fabric correctly.
• Learning the art of pairing fabric and pattern.
• Measuring yourself and selecting the correct size ( we will have samples to try on).
• Inserting a zip.
• Working with heavier weight fabrics like oilskin, denim or canvas.
• Making buttonholes.
• Accurate and confident top stitching.
• Inserting a casing.

Lounge around the house in these True Bias Hudson Pants or wear them out for a comfortable but stylish option. This advanced beginner pattern is a pattern you can wear any time! The urban fit of these pants leaves a bit of extra room around the hips and then tapers into a skinny leg. This pattern is perfect for medium weight knits such as cotton lycra, french terry, ponte, and sweatshirt knit with a suggested stretch of approximately 40%.

View A is a full length pant and View B is midcalf.

In addition to the fabric you will need: Coordinating thread, 2 inch wide elastic (1 1/2 yds), 1/4” wide cording (2 yds), 2 x 1 inch scrap of fusible interfacing, ballpoint sewing needle.

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 Ottoline is a boxy workwear jacket with cuff and side seam splits and inside pocket. Although a lovely design detail the vents are a little tricky, so we have included instructions to simplify Ottoline by excluding the side seams and sleeve vents if you like.

Skill level: Experienced, but not doing the slits on the hip or sleeves would make it a more intermediate level.

We have found that a heavy duty thread rather than a topstitch thread gives a more authentic look to the topstitching and is easier to use. You may find you get a better stitch using a matching ‘sew all’ thread in the bobbin.

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.

Recommended Fabrics: 8 – 12.5oz non stretch denim, medium weight cotton drill or canvas, dry oilskin, linen and corduroy.

You will also need:

• Matching thread.
• 5 x buttons approx 22mm (7 if you are doing buttons at the cuff)
• Contrast top stitch thread optional.

A note about pre washing your denim:

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.

When you have made your jacket we would recommend washing it inside out.

Designed for chic lounging, the Carolyn Pajamas are thoughtfully tailored with a modern, figure flattering cut.

The Carolyn top features a classic notched collar, curved hem and breast pocket with three sleeve options. For a matching pajama set, choose between a straight legged pant (with or without cuff) or a cuffed short. Both pants and shorts feature an elasticized waist, pockets and a faux fly. Personalize Carolyn by adding contrasting piping details for an elegant finish.

Sewing Level: Intermediate

SUGGESTED FABRIC: Light to medium-weight wovens such as cotton flannel, linen, quilting cottons, shirting, lawn, double gauze, rayon challis, silk crepe or charmeuse. Intermediate

ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES

• Fusible interfacing (1 yard/.9m)
• 5 shirt buttons (10-15mm)
• 1.5" / 38mm wide elastic - 2 yards
• Thread
• Marking tool
• Optional piping. Shirt = 3.5yds/3.2m, Pants/shorts = 2yds/1.8m

Shirt No. 1 is a simple top with short sleeves. This loose fitting shirt is easy to wear and makes a great layering piece. The neck is finished with bias tape facing.

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);

XL: 44 inches (112 cm); 2XL: 47 inches (119 cm);

3XL: 50 inches (127 cm); 4XL: 53 inches (135 cm)

Light weight cotton lawn or voile, linen, rayon or natural fiber blend woven fabric (no jersey or knits)

Yardage requirements:

XS: 1 1/2 yards (1.4 m); S-M: 1 1/2 yards (1.4 m); L-XL: 1 3/4 yards (1.6 m); 2X-3X: 1 3/4 yards (1.6 m); 4X: 1 3/4 yards (1.6 m)

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.