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.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.How the dress is drafted
Choose a height — the pattern maker fills in the measurements for a girl of that height from standard body measurements tables: bust, back waist length and dress length — just above the knee, about half the height. The bodice is our kids' basic block without darts, the same as the kids' T-shirt but for woven fabric: bust ease 3⅛ in8 cm, shoulder not dropped, neckline narrower than on the knit version. The A-line flares from the armhole with a straight side, and the side hem is raised so it meets the seam at a right angle. On the two-piece dress the bodice goes to the waist and the skirt is a rectangle, twice the bodice width by default, gathered at the seam.
We checked the draft against proven commercial patterns for the same style: the main dimensions match.
The pattern maker checks the draft itself: bust, matching side seams, shoulder fit, sleeve cap, skirt width and total length, and that the head passes through the neckline with the slit. 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. Tape the sheets 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
Front and back (bodice and skirt for the two-piece version), a sleeve — full size, with the slit marked on the back, sleeve notches, grainline and seam and hem allowances.
FAQ
How does the dress go on?
Over the head: there's a slit at the back from the neckline, fastened with a button and thread loop. The pattern maker calculates the slit length from the head circumference of a child of that height — 3⅛–4¾ in8–12 cm. If you'd rather use a zipper, make a center back seam and insert an invisible zipper to the waist.
Why is there no bust dart?
Girls up to 10–11 don't have a defined bust, so no dart is needed: the bodice is drafted on a kids' basic block without darts. For teens with a developed figure, it's better to use our dress block.
What fabric should I use?
Cotton, linen, calico, poplin, batiste, thin corduroy — for summer and everyday; for the two-piece dress with a full skirt, both a heavier cotton and a lined chiffon work. Finish the neckline and armhole (if sleeveless) with bias binding or a facing.
What if the child is between heights?
Choose the next larger height and adjust the bust if you know it. The dress length can be shortened.