Deb

I think you’d probably be ok choosing a size 10 and maybe reducing the width at the hips if you find that you need it. Its something you can do after you’ve sewn it if you want. Just turn the dress inside out, pin the hips to be as narrow as you want, and re-sew them. Regarding the height, it depends on where you are tall. I’m 5’8″ and long…[Read more]

If you raise the V-neck (which you can absolutely do, no problem) you’ll want to shorten the collar at the center back so it fits correctly. Again, easy to do–just measure at the seam line and shorten at the back seam by the same amount. I hope that helps!

Ok, it looks like maybe your shoulders are wider than the pattern? I think you could make an adjustment for this by drawing a wider shoulder on the front and back pattern pieces.

Hi Claudia, I’m not sure what you mean by drawings? Do you mean drag lines? Can you post a photo so we can see what’s happening?

@whimsy hi Mary, depends on what you want to have “work”.
From the pattern pieces, and the way the underarm gusset becomes part of the sleeve, if you want to match the pattern of a plaid that sounds like a nightmare.
If you don’t care about pattern matching, or want to embrace the “lines” of the pattern by highlighting them with mismatched plaid…[Read more]

The digital version of the pattern includes A0 pages which can also be used for a projector if you like.

Hi @mollyshark
There are two versions of the pattern you can click on to purchase.
The first: ‘Fira Top + Dress Pattern” is a paper pattern that will be posted to you.
The second: “Digital Fira Top + Dress Pattern” is a digital pdf pattern that you download. You can print at home, or at a copy shop on A0 or 36″ plan printing. I don’t believe they…[Read more]

Our patterns are designed for someone of average height–approximately 5’6″–but whether you want to lengthen or shorten, and the location of that lengthening or shortening, will depend on your particular body. I’m 5’8″ but I’m also very long through the torso so I usually need to lengthen the torso of our patterns to fit myself. But if you have…[Read more]

No, seam allowances are included in all our patterns.

Eileen, I think you’re confusing the markings for the dots with the markings for the lines themselves. The lines are marked directly ON the line. The dots are marked next to the dots. I hope that helps.

Here is a blog post that I hope will help!

how to raise or lower a dart

Hi, yes the Classic Shirt is more boxy like the Camp Shirt. The Recital Shirt is more fitted because of the fish darts in the back, but you can eliminate them if you want that style to be more boxy also. I hope that helps!

Hi, yes, that’s intentional to give you a little more room through the bust. If you want, you can baste the side seam and try it on to see how it works. In our experience it’s helpful, but if you don’t like it you can always straighten it. Just make sure you have enough room before you remove it.

By the “big bump out” I’m guessing you mean the extension of the dart that goes beyond the side seam?
If you include that when you box and slide the dart then you’ll have the dart meet the side edge nicely after you’ve sewn it.
You’ve got the right technique in mind for what you want to do.
If that’s not what you mean, then maybe a picture will…[Read more]

Apologies that I’m not exactly sure what you’re asking. The overlap is probably about 2″–you’re right. So as long as your buttons and buttonholes line up to leave that amount of overlap and they still fit I think it should be fine. Very cute, by the way!

Yes, quite a few of our customers have lengthened this style! If you check the hashtag on social media you might see it? Just continue the lines as they’re drawn and it gives a nice line. Can’t wait to see when you’re done!

I’m checking the pattern and it measures exactly the same as the skirt waist. Could it be that you cut the wrong size facing? Or maybe the fabric stretched? The facing measures exactly the same as the waist for all the sizes…

You can definitely raise the neckline if you want. In terms of other alterations, it all depends on how the blouse fits you from the start. Raising the neckline won’t affect the overall fit.

And another t-shirt dress post using the circle skirt of the Building Block Dress pattern

sewing the building block dress with knit fabrics

There’s no end with what you can do with a t-shirt!
Here’s a blog post of mine (apologies for self referencing) from way back turning the School Bus tee into a ruffle dress

ruffle skirt dress