Digital Sewing Pattern + Video Class Plains Dress Sewing Pattern - Women's/Curved Fit
A classic woven shift dress that pops on easily for everyday wear.
Choose from the smooth front option with inseam pockets, or the unique curved-front option, with pockets neatly concealed in the curved seam. Make it in a single fabric for a subtle detail, or experiment with colour blocking and make it a design statement.
Bust darts and a seamed back provide subtle shaping, with a relaxed fit that is comfortable in warm weather and layers up beautifully on cooler days.
Skill level: Adventurous beginner - intermediate
Fitting adjustment resources: Included
Add-ons: A Fuller Abdomen + Pregnancy Add-on for the Plains Dress is available. Especially helpful if you require - or anticipate needing - some more space in the front of your dress for comfort. If you are a beginner sewer or would like the work of this adjustment done for you, this add-on creates 7 ¾" (20cm) of ease in the front of the garment.
The Sprig Sleeve Add-On includes six new sleeve styles that can be used with the Plains Dress and the Fable Dress.
Skills you will learn: sewing a neatly bias-bound neckline, inseam pockets, mitred hem splits
Video Support: A full course of clear, concise videos accompany this pattern, alongside a comprehensive written and photographed instruction booklet.
Size Charts + Fabric requirements
Choose between two size ranges:
0-22 (A-L) Size 0 starts where the children's sizes finish
14-38 (H-T)
Fabric Requirements + Finished Garment Measurement - Sizes 0-22 (A-L)
Fabric Requirements + Finished Garment Measurement - Sizes 14-38 (H-T)
Views
- relaxed fit with gentle bust dart shaping
- seamed back for shaping
- below knee length
- slips over head without fasteners
- pocket options: inseam pockets or unique curved front seam pockets
- neat bias-bound neckline
- straight hem or split hem with neat mitred corners
- sleeve options: short, cuffed, or 3/4 length
Sizes 0-22 (A-L)
Sizes 14-38 (H-T)
Adaptive
Adaptive Add-on: Post Mastectomy
Pre-adjusted pattern pieces for post-mastectomy are included. Pattern pieces for a flat front closure on either one or both sides. This includes a custom tutorial, and specific fitting resources.
These adaptive pattern pieces are available in Print-at-Home, A0 Copyshop and Projector format.
Adaptive Add-on: Fuller Abdomen + Pregnancy
This add-on is an expansion of the Plains Dress pattern and can be purchased here. It can be used to adapt the waist circumference of the Plains Dress and smoothly add fabric to that area for a more comfortable fit over your body's contours. If you are unsure of doing this adjustment yourself - or would love for this to be professionally done for you! - this add-on includes a further 7 ¾" (20cm) of ease at the front of the garment.
Bonus Resources
- Smaller Bust Adjustment (SBA) for a Top with a Bust Dart
- Fuller Bust Adjustment (FBA) for a Top with a Bust Dart
- Smaller Bust Adjustment (SBA) for the Curved Front Plains Dress
- Fuller Bust Adjustment (FBA) for the Curved Front Plains Dress
- Forward Head Adjustment
- High Rounded Back Adjustment for a Set In Sleeve
- Shoulder Width Adjustment for a Set In Sleeve
- Forward Shoulder Adjustment
- Broad Back Adjustment for a Set In Sleeve
- Narrow Back Adjustment for a Set In Sleeve
- Fuller Abdomen Adjustment for Tops with a Bust Dart
- Fuller Arm Adjustment for a Set In Sleeve
-
Fuller Seat Adjustment for Tops
- How to Sew a Perfect Dart
- How to Make Bias Tape from an Upcycled Dress Shirt
Printing Info + FAQ
This is a print-at-home PDF pattern and includes three printing options:
- US Letter/A4 - tiled and designed to print on your home printer
- Copyshop - A0 wide-format file (33.1″ x 46.8″)
- Projector - specially-formatted and optimized for home projector use.
Read more about using our projector files here
All pattern printing formats include “layers”, allowing you to print only the size(s) you need, or all of the sizes. A comprehensive sewing instruction tutorial is supplied.
View pattern FAQ
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Customer Reviews
I'm smitten with the Plains Dress. Such a simple, clean design but with so many beautifully thought-out elements. The mitred corners on the split hem delight me in particular. The bias faced neckline is one of the neatest necklines I've ever encountered. The Plains Dress is anything but plain, and will be a wardrobe staple for years to come. It's a blank canvas with so much potential, from embroidery embellishments to add-on sleeves and patch pockets.
I made the plains dress with inset pockets. Instructions were clear and easy. Love the style and the fit.
I’m very happy with the way this dress worked out. I had trouble printing it myself as I couldn’t get rid of the margins so the pages didn’t fit together properly. It was great to have a ‘copy shop’ version and they printed it with no problems.
The sizing was accurate, which was a relief. I lengthened the short sleeves a little.
I’ll probably make another.
This was an easy sew and the final result on my first attempt (curved front) was so comfortable and flattering (even with my mum tum). I made it out of a heavy linen, which was a great choice. I'm on the taller side, so I added length in the bodice and at the hem to bring it to a midi length, which is very comfortable and ideal for a 4 season dress. The instructions for the pockets in the curved front were terrific, and I was really happy with how they came together. My only tweak was to add hand top stitching along the top of the pockets and following the curve across the front of the dress. I will definitely be making more!
This dress was very easy to sew. I made the curved front version with the pockets in front. I can see making more. I’ll probably try the straight front version too. I only had to make my usual adjustments (forward and square shoulder, although not sure that I needed the forward shoulder one). I was lazy and went up a size in the bust instead of an FBA so I might do that next time just to see. I didn’t lengthen it, even though I am 5’9” (175cm) because I wanted it knee length. The instructions were easy to follow and the video is nice to have.
Shift dresses are always hard to find that balance between comfortable and easy wearing but with the right amount of shaping. This hits the perfect balance for both with an easy wearing sophistication. I’m not one to immediately make a pattern over again but I made two right away and my third one is cut out and ready to hit the sewing machine.
This dress is a joy to make. I chose the curved front first and the smooth front second and I don't know which I like best!
The curved back seam gives it subtle shaping and it is great that there are no zips or fastenings to sew.
I do love the pockets on the curved front dress, construction if these is well explained. For my blue dress I used the tulip pockets from the new pocket set, it lifts the dress to another level.
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