Sign In
This month’s patterns, Hill and Reed were designed with the idea of bridging the gap between vintage charm and modern taste. A shift dress was a natural fit and is the ideal blank canvas for exploring fabric. But a blank canvas doesn’t need to be boring! We included intentional details like topstitching and the back neckline to keep Reed feeling modern and interesting.
The Reed dress sewing pattern offers a timeless shift silhouette with a flattering carved armhole. It features a high round neckline at the front and a deep V-neckline at the back for an elegant touch. The dress is fitted through the bust with a slight A-line shape through the body, and bust darts provide shaping. An all-in-one facing finishes the neckline and armholes, while a side invisible zipper adds a sleek, polished finish. The hemline ends mid-thigh for a stylish, versatile look.
Laurel is wearing the Reed dress in a size 8. We added 1/2" to the length and made a narrow shoulder adjustment. Her measurements are bust: 37" (94 cm), waist: 30" (76.2 cm), hip: 42 1/4" (107.3 cm), and she is 5'9" (175.3 cm) tall.
Franki is wearing the Reed dress in a size 20, graded to a 22 at the shoulder and a size 18 at the hip. We increased the bust by 1". Her measurements are bust: 49" (124.5 cm), waist: 39" (99 cm), hip: 50 1/2" (128.3 cm), and she is 5'6 1/2" (168.9 cm) tall.
Fabric and Fit
Fabric recommendations:
Medium weight woven fabrics such as cotton twill, linen, linen blends, denim, chambray, shirtings, eyelet, rayon, and Tencel.
Fitting tips:
Understanding ease will help you pick the right size or sizes. This tutorial will teach you all about design and wearing ease.
- Follow this tutorial to lengthen and shorten a sewing pattern.
- If you need to adjust the armhole depth, use this tutorial.
- If you want to blend between sizes, use this video tutorial.
- To adjust the shoulder slope, follow this tutorial.
- Here are tutorials for wide or narrow shoulder adjustments.
- Here are tutorials for small bust adjustments and full bust adjustments.
