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 bodice is our dress block, checked against the SCUT pattern maker: bust ease 2 in5 cm, a bust dart from the side seam, waist darts and a center back seam with waist shaping. We cut the block at the waistline and the darts open into the waist seam — the bodice of our godet dress works the same way. The neckline is either a jewel neckline or round. The circle skirt and half-circle skirt come from our circle skirt: the waistline matches the bodice waist exactly, and the length is the same all the way around. The gathered skirt is made of rectangles wider than the bodice waist by whatever factor you choose; the pattern maker won't let it be narrower than the hips, or you couldn't get the dress on. The sleeve is a one-piece sleeve, drafted to the bodice armhole length with sleeve cap ease.
We checked the draft against proven commercial patterns for the same style: the key measurements match.
The pattern maker checks the draft itself: bust and waist, back waist length, shoulder seams, matching bodice side seams, bodice and skirt joining at the waist, skirt width, and sleeve cap against the armhole. The results are in the "Draft check" section.
How to print and tape
Download the PDF on Letter or A4 sheets and print at 100%, without "fit to page". The first sheet has the test square: measure it with a ruler. Sheets are taped together with an overlap along 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
Bodice back and front with darts, the skirt (front and back or circle skirt panels), and the sleeve with notches — full size, with seam allowances.
FAQ
How much fabric does a circle skirt need?
A lot: a circle skirt is a circle with a waist opening, and at length 23⅝ in60 cm that's two squares of roughly 1¾ yd1.5 m each. A half-circle skirt takes half as much. The circle skirt page of our pattern maker shows the exact cutting layout.
Where's the closure?
A concealed zipper in the center back seam — through the bodice and skirt, from the neckline to 7⅛ in18 cm below the waist. The pattern maker prints the zipper length under the drawing.
What fabric should I use?
For a gathered skirt — cotton, linen, spun rayon, or chiffon with a lining. For a circle skirt — fabrics that drape softly: viscose, crepe de chine, lightweight wool; a stiff fabric will stand out like a bell. You can interface the bodice neckline with a lightweight fusible.