Acton dress + sleeve expansion bundle
What's included
The Acton dress Bundle includes the Acton dress pattern and Acton dress Sleeve Expansion.
A multi-seasonal pattern bundle, this versatile pattern combination will take you from balmy, Summer evenings to cool Autumn days.
Acton dress details
The Acton dress is a versatile dress with two bodice options and two skirt options (that are interchangeable), designed for woven fabrics. The bodice is lined, features princess panels for a lovely fit around the bust, and is fastened with an invisible zip.
The Acton dress is beautifully designed and carefully drafted to include many interesting details, to make this a very enjoyable sew for confident sewers.
View A features a fitted bodice with a low back and thin shoulder straps. The skirt is A-line, and includes (optional) in-seam pockets in the side seams.
View B features a fitted bodice with racer-back and thin shoulder straps. The skirt is a wrap that can be tied in a number of ways to achieve different silhouettes.
Acton dress Sleeve Expansion details
The Acton dress expansion adds two sleeve options which enhance the versatility of the original Acton dress pattern. A new bodice designed for sleeves is provided, which may be mixed and matched with either skirt option from the original Acton dress pattern.
Difficulty
The pattern is placed at a Level 3-3.5 on the In the Folds pattern skill scale, which means you should be confident using sewing patterns and can handle basic pattern alterations to achieve a good fit.
By working through this pattern you will gain confidence in: achieving a great fit, working with tricky fabrics, sewing princess seams, inserting an invisible zip and lining a garment.
Suggested Fabrics
The Acton dress & Sleeve Expansion are compatible with a range of different fabrics. Your choice of fabric will govern the silhouette you achieve.
For view A, consider using mid-weight fabrics such as: linen, cotton or chambray. For a softer silhouette, consider sateen, silk (crepe de chine or habotai) or viscose (rayon).
For view B, fabrics with good drape will work best. Consider silk or polyester crepe de chine, viscose (rayon) or a lightweight cotton or linen.
Please note: For 115cm (45in) wide fabrics in all sizes and 150cm (60in) wide in sizes E-J, the skirt will need to be cut on the cross grain (due to the scale of the pattern pieces). When selecting fabric, be careful to choose a fabric that does not have a directional print and drapes well in both directions.
Fabric requirements and finished garment measurements for the Acton dress can be found here.
Fabric requirements and finished garment measurements for the Acton Sleeve Expansion can be found here.
Notions - View A
- 40cm (16in) invisible zip
- Coordinating thread
Notions - View B
- 50cm (19in) invisible zip
- Coordinating thread
Notions - Sleeve Expansion
- Coordinating thread
- 50cm (19in) invisible zip
- Gathered sleeve only: 0.1m (0.1yds) light to mid-weight fusible interfacing
The pattern is available in 10 sizes (A - J, which equates to Australian sizes 6-24) and is nested, to make it easier for you to grade between sizes.
In the Folds patterns are drafted for a B cup bust. Please check the finished garment measurements chart in the pattern, before deciding whether or not you need to make an adjustment.
Patterns are drafted for height of 170cm (5'7") and include a ‘lengthen / shorten line’ so you can make adjustments to suit your height.
Fabric requirements and finished garment measurements can be found here.
Pattern includes seam allowances.
The Acton dress sew-along can be found here.
Digital product details
The pattern is suitable for printing on both A4 and US letter sized paper. A copy shop version is also included in the file (A0 or US 36" x 48" size).
Acton dress pattern
Print at home pattern: 64 pages (a printing plan is included in the instructions so that you can choose to only print the pages you need for choice of style and size)
Print shop version: 3 x A0 pages (Due to the scale of the skirt pattern pieces for view B, two sheets will still need to be taped together - for sizes G - K only)
Acton dress Sleeve Expansion
Print at home pattern: 29 pages (a printing plan is included in the instructions so that you can choose to only print the pages you need for your size and chosen view).
Print shop version: 2 x A0 pages (Due to the scale of the robe pieces, two sheets will still need to be taped together).
The pattern includes embedded layers. This means that you can select only the size/s you would like to print.
If you have any questions please see our FAQ and Digital Product Policy.