This patchwork dress has a loose fitting silhouette. The waistline should sit approximately at the natural waist on most heights. The sleeves have a subtle ‘lantern’ shaping with the option to elasticate the cuff. The dress fastens with a concealed zip at the centre back down to the waist.

The dress length can be easily adjusted by adding or removing rows of patchwork. There are 8+ row length options that allow you to make anything from a mini skirt to a floor length dress.

Additionally the sleeve length can be varied from full length to sleeveless with 6 sleeve length options.

Instructions are also provided to add elastic at the waist to create a more fitted silhouette.

The dress can also easily be split into a separates to make a loose fitting cropped or peplum top and a patchwork skirt with a gathered elasticated waist.

The pattern includes the option to add side seam pockets in the dress or skirt

Please see garment measurements listed to help you choose the right size (for additional fit information on bust ease and shoulder to shoulder measurements - see here)

This project is intended to be highly adaptable to help you realise your creative vision.

The basis of the construction is actually very simple - to assemble the patchwork in rows, and join the rows together. The project is broken down into sections, so you can complete the project in parts if you wish (e.g the assembly of the body, sleeves and skirt can be done in separate sessions.)

The finishes include: binding for the neckline, a concealed zip in the centre back, a turned hem for the skirt and a facing or binding for the sleeve.

This pattern has been specifically developed to make use of smaller remnants and offcuts of fabric which you might have left over from other sewing projects, or possibly from other unused textiles or clothing

The design will work best with lightweight fabrics such as cotton, linen or silk.

You could cut the fabric pieces either from 3 fabrics as suggested but the design of the grid structure means there are infinite colour, texture, transparency and colour distribution options you can experiment with. The project includes colouring sheets which you can use to plan your project.

Because the patchwork contains lots of smaller pattern pieces, this is a great project to use secondhand, reclaimed or salvaged fabrics.

This pattern is intended to be cut from remnants from your other projects however if you are sourcing fabric to use, you can refer to the below table for the fabric usage for each size (the below fabric usage measurement chart refers to the “original” Gingham/Vichy version of the dress as shown on the cover image):

This ROBERTS | WOOD KiT project is provided as a PDF pattern with full sewing instructions. It includes an A4/US letter printable PDF pattern, which can be printed and assembled at home using any standard home printer. Also included is a A0 pattern should you wish to print at a print shop. As with all our projects the download includes detailed instructions, showing you step by step how to construct the project.

Materials required: Fabrics of your choice for the cut patchwork pieces, threads, a 50cm concealed zip. Optional 4cm wide elastic if you want to elasticated the cuffs or waist

Equipment required: Paper scissors, sellotape (for assembling A4 pattern), iron, fabric scissors, measuring tape, tailors chalk, pins, sewing machine

Intermediate sewist and beyond

This pattern is a great choice for anyone who loves to plan a project in detail and is suitable for sewists at intermediate level and up. It assumes knowledge of basic sewing techniques and terminology, although most of the processes are very straightforward and easy to follow. We think it will be a fun project for anyone who wants to learn new textile and sewing skills.

We also think that a confident beginner with enough patience would certainly be able to complete this project. Whilst it will be a little time-consuming to construct the many patchwork seams, the repetitive process provides lots of opportunity to improve your skills (once you’ve mastered one seam, you can do them all!)

The project also provides detailed instructions, broken down for each step, so don’t worry if you don’t know where to start with assembling the design.

This is a perfect project to undertake using fabric offcuts that are otherwise going to waste.

We believe in the value of making by hand and with love.. this slow-fashion project is intended be completed over several days (or even take weeks if you want!) and will be a little labour of love which will become a treasured piece in your handmade wardrobe.

3D Flower Hack

Download the patterns for this hack here

Sewing Instructions for the hack:

Each square flower (created around a ‘fabric 3 patch’) needs 4 PAIRS of petals - 1 bagged out pair is attached to each side of the square.

Each pair of cut petals is sewn right sides together along the outer petal edge (the seam allowance should be trimmed down before turning right sides out, and the sharp corner snipped into) Once turned through so that right sides face out, the outer petal edge should be pressed flat to create a neat double-petal.

The lower ‘open’ seam allowance of the bagged-out petal is then secured through both layers to avoid the 2 layers slipping when attaching into the square. The 4 petals are gathered and sewn onto each edge of the ‘Fabric 3’ square. (Raw edges of the petal aligning with raw edges of the square)

We found it easiest to machine tack the middle of the petal - indicated by the central notch - to the middle of the squares edge and then the 2 ends of the petal in place before distributing the excess fabric to be gathered, as we attached each petal onto each edge

Once the petals are gathered and secured on to the 4 edges of the square, repeat this process for each ‘Fabric 3’ square that you want to make into a flower.

Once you’ve prepared all the squares by adding the petals, just treat the squares as per the original design, constructing the patchwork as usual (i.e as outlined in the Drafters Grid Dress instructions.

Tip - you’ll want to make sure your fabric selection for the petals is not too bulky, as you are adding a few extra layers to the patchwork seams, which can make it trickier to sew