Measurements you need
Tape horizontally across the most prominent points of the bust, at the back — slightly above the shoulder blades, under the arms. In your usual underwear, not pulled tight.Tape horizontally across the most prominent points of the bust, at the back — slightly above the shoulder blades, under the arms. In your usual underwear, not pulled tight.
Usually 31½–51⅛ in.Usually 80–130 cm.Tape horizontal around the narrowest part of your torso, usually ¾–1⅝ in above the navel. Snug but not tight; don't pull in your stomach.Tape horizontal around the narrowest part of your torso, usually 2–4 cm above the navel. Snug but not tight; don't pull in your stomach.
Usually 22⅞–43¼ in.Usually 58–110 cm.Tape horizontal around the fullest part of your buttocks, allowing for the curve of your stomach. Stand straight, feet together.Tape horizontal around the fullest part of your buttocks, allowing for the curve of your stomach. Stand straight, feet together.
Usually 33⅛–51⅛ in.Usually 84–130 cm.Tilt your head: a prominent vertebra can be felt at the base of the neck at the back. Tape from it down along the spine to the waist tape.Tilt your head: a prominent vertebra can be felt at the base of the neck at the back. Tape from it down along the spine to the waist tape.
Usually 14⅝–17⅜ in.Usually 37–44 cm.At the side from the waistline down to the desired hem. For a knee-length skirt — about 23⅝ in, for pants — to the floor or to the ankle bone.At the side from the waistline down to the desired hem. For a knee-length skirt — about 60 cm, for pants — to the floor or to the ankle bone.
Skirt 15¾–39⅜ in, pants 35⅜–43¼ in, shorts 11¾–21⅝ in.Skirt 40–100 cm, pants 90–110 cm, shorts 30–55 cm.Bend your arm slightly at the elbow. From the end of the shoulder (shoulder bone) along the outside of the arm through the elbow to the desired length: for a long sleeve, to the wrist bone.Bend your arm slightly at the elbow. From the end of the shoulder (shoulder bone) along the outside of the arm through the elbow to the desired length: for a long sleeve, to the wrist bone.
Long 22–24⅜ in, three-quarter 16½–18⅞ in, short 8⅝–11 in. For children, long is about 0.29 of height.Long 56–62 cm, three-quarter 42–48 cm, short 22–28 cm. For children, long is about 0.29 of height.How the dress is drafted
The A-line is drafted from our dress block, checked against a pattern drafting system, but without waist darts: the side seam runs straight from the bottom of the armhole and flares toward the hem. The bust dart from the side seam stays — it makes room for the bust; without it the front pulls up. The drafting tool sets the front side length (with the dart closed) equal to the back side, and the hem at the side is raised so it meets the seam at a right angle. At the hip, the pattern is never narrower than the hip measurement plus ease 2⅜ in6 cm.
We checked the draft against proven commercial patterns for the same style: the key measurements match.
The tool checks the draft itself: bust and hip, back length, shoulder seams, bust dart, matching side seams, and sleeve cap against the armhole. The results appear in the “Draft check” section.
How to print and tape
Download the PDF on Letter or A4 sheets and print at 100% scale, without “fit to page.” The first sheet has the test square: measure it with a ruler. Sheets are taped together with an overlap along the strips ⅜ in1 cm; sheet numbers and the assembly diagram are on the first page. For a copy shop or plotter, choose “One-sheet PDF.”
What you get
A back with darts and a zipper mark, a front on the fold with darts, and a sleeve with notches — full size, with seam allowances.
FAQ
How much flare?
Flare is set on each side of the front and back: 2⅜–3⅛ in6–8 cm gives a subtle A-line, 12–15 gives a pronounced A-line. If the chosen flare makes the hip narrower than the hip measurement plus ease, the tool increases it automatically and tells you the result.
Which neckline should I choose?
Round — versatile, 1⅝ in4 cm below the base of the neck. Boat — wide and shallow, showing the collarbones. V-neck — 4¾ in12 cm below the base of the neck, visually lengthening the silhouette. “At the base of the neck” — like the dress block, for a collar or a formal dress. Finish the neckline with a facing or bias binding.
Where is the closure?
An invisible zipper in the center back seam: from the neckline to 7⅛ in18 cm below the waist. The tool prints the zipper length under the draft.