The projects included in the Beginner’s Guide to Dressmaking are:
The A-line Skirt
Exclusive to the eBook, versatile and stylish, the A-line Skirt is cut on the bias for ultimate swishing without too much fullness. Pick between two lengths: just below the knee or midi for a more modern silhouette. The A-line Skirt is designed for wovens like linen and cotton. It would look fabulous in ginghams, spots, plains, just about anything really! With this pattern you will learn how to insert an invisible zip, construct a waistband and add in-seam pockets.
The Shift Dress
Your first dress! With the Shift Dress we will guide you through some essential dressmaking steps: how to create bust darts, attach a neck facing, insert sleeves and finish an edge with bias binding. The Shift Dress works with most light or medium weight woven fabrics such as cotton, linen, rayon, viscose, wool, crepe or even silk, if you’re feeling adventurous! Make it sleeveless or choose between three sleeve lengths – short, 3/4 or long. With the option to make it as a top, this is a really versatile pattern you’ll want to make over and over again! Once you’ve mastered this dress, check out the Ultimate Shift Dress Add-on Pack for more customisation possibilities. Including new sleeves, cuffs and hem pattern pieces with detailed instructions on how to alter the original pattern.
The T-shirt
As easy to wear as it is to sew, the T-shirt is the perfect basic and another exclusive pattern to the eBook. It features a scoop neckline, a choice of short or long sleeves and a gently loose-fitting shape. You’ll learn to sew with lightweight knit fabrics such as cotton jersey, viscose jersey or bamboo jersey. You’ll also get to grips with sewing sleeves in flat and attaching a neckband.
Sewing Level
The Beginner’s Guide to Dressmaking eBook is aimed at confident beginners.
Fabric Suggestions
The fabrics we recommend in this eBook are those best suited to beginners; craft cotton, cotton poplin & cotton lawn. When you feel comfortable working with cotton, you may want to try the dressmaking projects in a viscose.
Sizing & Fabric Requirements
All garments in the Beginner’s Guide to Dressmaking are sized between UK sizes 6-30 and are split into two different blocks, sizes 6-20 and sizes 18-30. See the chart for details on fabric requirements.
Like all our patterns, the sizes are nested to make it easier to grade between the sizes, depending on your measurements.
You can find the fabric requirements for all of the projects here.
What will I receive?
The downloadable pattern files contain:
- printable pattern (in both tiled print-at-home and copyshop format) in all sizes
- fully-illustrated printable instruction booklet
- copyshop permission letter
The A-line Skirt pattern is either 26 A4 pages, 33 US letter pages or 2 A0 copyshop pages (sizes 6-20), or 22 A4/US letter pages, or 2 A0 copyshop pages (size 18-30).
The Shift Dress pattern is either 29 A4 pages/US letter pages or 2 A0 copyshop pages (sizes 6-20), or 36 A4/US letter pages, or 3 A0 copyshop pages (size 18-30).
The T-shirt pattern is either 20 A4 pages/US letter pages or 1 A0 copyshop pages (sizes 6-20), or 23 A4 pages, 24 US letter pages, or 2 A0 copyshop pages (size 18-30).
If you purchase the PDF Pattern + Copyshop Printing option, you will also receive your pattern printed on A0 paper in the post. Find out more about our PDF Printing Service here.
So what is a PDF pattern?
A PDF pattern is a downloadable pattern that you print yourself at home on A4 or US letter paper. Alternatively you can choose to have the copyshop files printed on large A0 paper, and posted to you at home. If you’re using the A4 or US letter options, simply download, print at home, tape together and let the sewing begin! When you print the pattern, print at 100% (you might have to uncheck the scale box). Print page 1 first, the square should measure 10cm x 10cm.
Never used a PDF pattern before and would like some help? Learn everything you need to know in our handy Guide to Assembling PDF Patterns over on our blog!
Layered PDF pattern
The Beginner’s Guide to Dressmaking PDF pattern files are layered, meaning you can choose to print only the size(s) you need when printing at home. Find out more here.
