Introducing the Hill Dress Sewing Pattern

This month’s patterns, Hill and Reed were designed with the idea of bridging the gap between vintage charm and modern taste. Shirt dresses are timeless and wearable making it the perfect jumping-off point for the design of Hill. We kept the details and construction sleek and simple and opted for a collarless design for a feminine and relaxed feel.

The resulting dress is both practical and full of vintage charm. This button-front dress features a high, round neckline, slightly extended shoulders, and an A-line skirt. Waist and shoulder darts on both the front and back bodice offer a flattering, tailored fit and the waist tie provides additional definition. The faced neckline and center front add a polished finish, while in-seam pockets at the waist offer practicality.

The Hill dress member bonus features a gathered skirt that perfectly compliments Hill’s vintage-inspired bodice.

Laurel is wearing Hill in a size 10. We reduced the bust 1", reduced the waist 1/2", and added 1 1/2" to the hip ease. Her measurements are bust: 37" (94 cm), waist: 30" (76.2 cm), hip: 42 1/4" (107.3 cm), and she is 5' 9" (175.26 cm) tall.

Franki is wearing Hill in a size 20. We added 1" to the bust, reduced the waist 1/2", and added 1 1/2" to the hip. We also increased the shoulder width 1/2" and shortened the skirt 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" (169 cm) tall.

Fabric and Fit

Fabric recommendations:

For Hill, look for light to medium weight woven fabrics such as linen, chambray, denim, swiss dot, shirting, batiste, lawn, voile, rayon challis, cupro, and Tencel.

Sew this timeless dress in a floral lawn for the ultimate sundress or make it in linen to let the details and silhouette really shine. Keep in mind that crisp or structured fabrics will highlight the A-line silhouette of the skirt, while more fluid fabrics will drape close to the body.

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.