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.Tape around the wrist over the protruding bone, loose, not tight. The cuff is drafted from it: add 2¾ in ease and ¾ in for the closure.Tape around the wrist over the protruding bone, loose, not tight. The cuff is drafted from it: add 7 cm ease and 2 cm for the closure.
For men, usually 6¼–7⅞ in.For men, usually 16–20 cm.How the dress is drafted
The base is our dart-free knit block (the same one as the T-shirt, checked against the SCUT pattern maker). From the bottom of the armhole the side seam curves smoothly to the waist, then to the hip line, and below that it runs straight with a flare toward the hem; the hem at the side is raised so it meets the seam at a right angle. The front and back are cut on the fold, with no closure. The sleeve is a one-seam sleeve, matched to the armhole length with no ease (knit fabric doesn't hold ease). The neckline is finished with bias binding.
We checked the draft against proven commercial patterns for the same style: the key measurements match.
The pattern maker checks the draft itself: bust, waist and hip, hem width, matching side seams, shoulder and neckline, and the 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% scale, without "fit to page". The first sheet has the test square: measure it with a ruler. The 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
Front and back on the fold with waist and hip marks, a sleeve with notches, and neckline bias binding — full size, with seam allowances.
FAQ
What knit fabric works?
Medium-stretch knit: jersey with lycra, interlock, viscose jersey, light French terry, soft piqué. The ease is calculated for this kind of fabric. For very stretchy knit (swimwear lycra, ITY), you can reduce the bust ease to 0–¾ in0–2 cm; for firm jersey without lycra, increase it to 8.
How close is the fit?
At the bust, 2⅜ in6 cm of ease — fitted but not tight. At the waist, 5⅞ in15 cm (up to 19.5 in larger sizes) — the dress softly suggests the waist rather than clinging to it. At the hip — hip + 14. Want a closer fit? Set the waist ease to 5–8 and the flare to 0.
How do I finish the neckline?
With bias binding from the same knit: it's 15% shorter than the neckline, and you stretch it slightly as you sew it on — the neckline lies flat and doesn't gape. The pattern maker prints the binding length under the draft.
How long should I make it?
Length is measured down the back from the prominent vertebra to the hem: knee-length is usually 37⅜–39⅜ in95–100 cm, midi is 110–120, floor-length is 140 and more.