Cartwright dress + top
Garment Details
A clean and classic design that meets the needs of the modern wearer, the Cartwright dress + top pattern is a go-to wardrobe staple that just lets you get on with your day. Boxy, but flattering. Comfortable and easy-to-wear. Can’t do the washing up, but she’ll be there for you in all kinds of weather. Cotton and short sleeves in spring and summer. Heavier linens or fine wool fibres for autumn and winter.
The Cartwright pattern includes a relaxed fitting knee-length dress and hip-length top that slip over the head and do not require an opening. The design features a rounded neckline (finished with bias binding), bust darts, in-seam pockets (dress view) and subtle shaping through the side seam for a boxy fit that doesn't overwhelm. Choose between short or three-quarter length sleeves.
Cartwright dress Fit Kit
Bundle the Cartwright dress + top pattern with our Cartwright dress Fit Kit to up your fitting game and make an easy-wearing wardrobe staple that's just right for your body, AND a beautifully fitted pattern block to design even more perfectly fitted garments from.
Refer to the Fit Kit tab for more details.
Cartwright dress Hack Kit
128 pages of pattern hacking gold. Endless opportunities. That’s what you can expect with the Cartwright dress Hack Kit!
Including everything from the tools and techniques you need to learn to become a patternmaking whizz, inspiration to get your garment design creative juices flowing, and the actual step-by-step tutorials to make your ideas come to life, we guarantee this resource will NOT disappoint. Grab it as an additional resource with your Cartwright dress + top pattern and Fit Kit!
Refer to the Hack Kit tab for more details.
Suggested Fabrics
The Cartwright dress + top is compatible with mid-weight woven fabrics such as: linen, linen blends, cotton, chambray, denim and wool.
Experiment with different fabrics to get different looks with the Cartwright pattern. Want it more boxy and structured? Try a heavier fabric like denim or wool. Prefer something more relaxed? Go for a light to medium-weight fabric with good drape, such as viscose or linen.
Fabric requirements and finished garment measurements can be found here.
Notions
Size A-J:
- Coordinating thread
- 0.7m (0.8yd) x 32mm (1¼in) single-fold bias tape. If using pre-made binding, this is 12mm (½in).
Size G-P:
- Coordinating thread
- 0.8m (0.9yd) x 32mm (1¼in) single-fold bias tape. If using pre-made binding, this is 12mm (½in).
Sizing
The pattern is available in both sizes A - J (drafted for a B sewing cup size) and G - P (drafted for a D sewing cup size). Our size charts can be found here.
The Cartwright dress + top is designed to be relaxed in fit.
Our patterns are drafted for a height of 170cm (5'7"). Use the LENGTHEN / SHORTEN lines to make alterations to the length to suit your own height measurements.
More details related to fitting the Cartwright dress + top, and making a toile, can be found in the Cartwright dress Fit Kit, which is available as an additional purchase.
Fabric requirements and finished garment measurements can be found here.
Difficulty
The pattern is placed at a Level 2 on the In The Folds pattern skill scale, and has been designed for advanced beginners and beyond.
By working through this pattern, you will gain confidence in: sewing a set-in sleeve, sewing an in-seam pocket (dress only) and sewing a bias bound neckline.
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 A-J
Print at home pattern: 37 pages (a printing plan is included in the instructions so that you can choose to only print the pages you need for your size).
Print shop version: 3 x A0 pages
Size G-P
Print at home pattern: 46 pages (a printing plan is included in the instructions so that you can choose to only print the pages you need for your size).
Print shop version: 3 x A0 pages
The pattern includes embedded layers. This means that you can select only the size/s you would like to print.
The Cartwright Fit Kit will expand your understanding of the fitting and toiling process for the Cartwright pattern, and teach you new techniques to add to your garment sewing tool belt. It has been designed to support makers who are new to fitting their own clothes, as well as for the more advanced makers who are ready to dive in a little deeper.
With our step-by-step process, we'll guide you through what to look for to know what fitting alterations are necessary, and support you to apply the alterations and tutorials covered to a range of patterns with a similar shape.
Alterations covered in the Fit Kit include:
- Grading between sizes
- Lengthening / shortening
- Bust adjustments
- Moving darts
- Shoulder adjustments
- Back adjustments
- Neckline adjustments
- Bicep adjustments
- Changing the amount of ease.
DIFFICULTY
Our Fit Kits are designed so that no matter what your fitting experience is, there will be something for you.
DIGITAL PRODUCT DETAILS
Cartwright dress Fit Kit: 100 pages of fitting and patternmaking techniques and tutorials. The booklet is suitable for printing on both A4 and US letter sized paper, or can be viewed onscreen using a PDF viewer.
Keen to add some top-notch patternmaking credentials to your sewing skills kit? The Cartwright Hack Kit is right up your alley.
The designs in this Hack Kit have been created so that you can use just one tutorial, or combine multiple together for a complete pattern block overhaul.
As per usual, our patternmaking resources aren’t just for In the Folds patterns. Everything you learn in this Hack Kit can be applied to any pattern of a similar style that you have in your stash.
Hacks covered in the Kit include:
- Adding a vertical panel line
- Converting a dart into a panel line
- Curved panel line with gathers
- Button placket
- Creating a gathered skirt / panel
- Making a pattern sleeveless
- Adding volume (slash + spread)
- Pleats
- Drafting a raglan sleeve
- Creating a V-neck
- Adding length
- Drafting a neck facing
- Drafting a hem facing
- Adding fullness to sleeve cuffs and caps
- Swapping sleeves between patterns
- Drafting patch pockets
DIFFICULTY
Our Hack Kits are designed so that no matter what your patternmaking experience is, there will be something for you. If you're new to patternmaking start with one of the easier tutorials and work your way up. To continue to increase your skills, practice applying the hacks to other patterns in your stash. This resource is a goldmine of inspiration and technical skills that will support you in your garment making journey for many years to come.
Note: Although most of the tutorials from this Hack Kit could be applied to a number of patterns, the tutorials are based on the Cartwright dress + top pattern. We recommend grabbing the pattern to support you as you learn the skills covered in this resource, particularly if you’re new to pattern hacking.
DIGITAL PRODUCT DETAILS
The Cartwright dress Hack Kit: 128 pages of patternmaking tutorials and content. The booklet is suitable for printing on both A4 and US letter sized paper, or can be viewed onscreen using a PDF viewer.
Have a question?
If you have any questions please see our FAQ and Digital Product Policy.