Curated by ITF - Issue 4
Acton dress + sleeve expansion
With Curated by ITF issue 4 we're bringing you both the original Acton dress pattern and the Acton dress sleeve expansion!
The Acton dress is a versatile design that has two bodice options and two skirt options (that are interchangeable) and is 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 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. The Acton expansion design includes a V-neck front, features princess panels for a lovely fit around the bust, and is fastened with an invisible zip. It is the perfect dress to take you from day to evening.
Garment details
The Acton dress is beautifully designed and carefully drafted to include many interesting details, making this a very enjoyable sew for confident sewists.
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 a racer-back and thin shoulder straps. The skirt is a wrap that can be tied in a number of ways to achieve different silhouettes.
In the sleeve expansion, View A has a slightly flared, elbow length sleeve, while View B has a three quarter length gathered sleeve with cuff.
Please note: This product can only be purchased by Current Curated by ITF subscribers. If you would like to sign-up you can do so here.
Suggested Fabrics
The Acton dress is compatible with a range of fabrics. For View A, consider using light to mid-weight fabrics such as: linen, linen blends, cotton, gauze or chambray. For a softer silhouette, consider sateen, silk (crepe de chine or habotai), viscose or lyocell (rayon). It is suggested that you line the bodice with a lightweight fabric such as rayon, cotton poplin, or silk.
For View B, fabrics with good drape will work best. Consider silk or polyester crepe de chine, viscose, lyocell (rayon) or a lightweight cotton, chambray, linen or linen blend. For the bodice lining, you can use the same fabric as the dress, or a lighter-weight option if you prefer.
Fabric requirements and finished garment measurements can be found here.
Note for View B only: 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. Be sure to check that your fabric does NOT have any stretch in either direction.
Notions
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Coordinating thread
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50cm (19in) invisible zip
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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.
The Acton dress is drafted for a B cup bust. To work out whether or not you will need to do a Full Bust Adjustment (FBA) or a Small Bust Adjustment (SBA), measure your bust (fullest part of your chest) and your high bust (the area of your chest below your underarm). If the difference is greater than 5cm (2in) you may need to do a FBA. If it is smaller than 5cm (2in) you may need to do a SBA. Information about how to do these adjustments (and others) can be found by checking out the Acton dress sew-along.
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.
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 3.5 on the In the Folds pattern skill scale, which means you are confident using sewing patterns and know some pattern alterations to achieve a better fit.
By working through this pattern, you will gain confidence in: sewing princess seams, adjusting princess seams to achieve a good fit, lining a bodice, sewing an invisible zip and setting in sleeves.
If you have any questions please see our FAQ and Digital Product Policy.
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").
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.
Please note: you will also need to print the skirt pieces from the original Acton dress pattern. You can find details about the pattern here.