Curated by ITF - Issue 18
The Stow dress pattern
We could all do with a bit less mind-clutter in our lives, and uniform dressing is one way to combat the daily ‘What will I wear?’ conundrum. But you don’t have to do the extreme Steve Jobs ‘black turtle-neck, jeans and trainers every single day’ to take advantage of its benefits. We want easy, not boring!
The versatile, cross-seasonal design of the Stow dress makes it a fool-proof addition to a capsule wardrobe, leaving room in your brain for more important things. For Winter, layered with a long-sleeved T, tights and boots, its cocoon-like design will have you feeling cosy and ready to get on with the day. In Summer, it's relaxed fit and effortless style makes it a simple, ‘chuck it on and get going’ option that won’t cling to all the wrong spots when the humidity hits 100%.
Garment Details
The Stow dress is a sleeveless, knee-length design, with a slight cocoon shape. A visually appealing V-neck features on both the front and back of the dress, with bust darts to create shaping.
Choose between an easy pull-over option (View A) or a centre front button placket (View B). The two views also offer a range of interchangeable finishing options and new skills to learn, including all-in-one facing or bias binding and patch or in-seam pockets.
Suggested Fabrics
The Stow dress is compatible with light to heavy-weight fabric, with the choice of fabric determining how the garment holds its shape. We recommend considering the silhouette you’re after before selecting your fabric! More structured fabrics (like heavy to mid-weight denim or corduroy) will accentuate the cocoon shape, whereas a more relaxed look can be achieved with linens, cottons or chambray.
Fabric requirements and finished garment measurements can be found here.
Notions
- All sizes: Coordinating thread
- Sizes A-J: View B only - 2.5m (2.8yds) x 32mm (1¼in) single-fold bias tape (if using pre-made binding, this is 12mm ( ½in))
- Sizes G-P: View B only: 2.8m (3.1yds) x 32mm (1¼in) single-fold bias tape (if using pre-made binding, this is 12mm ( ½in))
- All sizes: View B only - 8 x 1.2-1.5cm ( ½-⅝in) buttons
The pattern is available in both sizes A - J (drafted for a B cup sewing bust cup size) and sizes G - P (drafted for a D cup sewing bust cup size). Our size charts can be found here.
The Stow Dress is designed to be relaxed in fit. Select a size based on your high bust measurement. Check the finished garment measurements for your size before choosing to do a Full Bust Adjustment (FBA). The waist and hip also have considerable ease, so check the finished garment measurements before choosing to grade between sizes.
This pattern is drafted for a height of 170cm (5’7”). Use the LENGTHEN/SHORTEN line on the pattern to make alterations to the length.
Fabric requirements and finished garment measurements can be found here.
Pattern includes seam allowances.
Mighty Networks community
By purchasing this issue you will gain access to the extra resources we shared in our online community group when we released the project. This means that you will be able to ask questions, share your makes and connect with other makers who are also on a mission to learn new skills and sew clothing in a slow and conscious way.
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. Through a combination of careful drafting, beautiful finishing techniques, and the right fabric, this pattern will have you feeling very proud of both the inside and outside of your garment.
By working through this pattern you will gain confidence in:
- Sewing for longevity and to create wardrobe staples
- Sewing a facing using the burrito method (View A)
- Sewing bias binding on a V neck (View B)
- Sewing a button placket (View B)
- Sewing pockets (patch or in-seam).
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: 47 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.
Have a question?
If you have any questions please see our FAQ and Digital Product Policy.
We look forward to welcoming you to the In the Folds community.