Curated by ITF - Issue 22
Cartwright dress + top pattern
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. Put together, but with as little effort as possible. 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.
Cartwright is also part one in another of our very popular Curated by ITF pattern hacking series, and the perfect base from which you can design the tops and dresses you’ve been dreaming about!
You’ll receive the Cartwright dress + top pattern PLUS the Fit Kit to help you make an easy-wearing staple that’s just right for your body, AND a beautifully fitted pattern block to design from. Then, in our next project we’ll move onto hacking skills to add to your repertoire with a range of different styles and designs in the Cartwright dress Hack Kit.
Garment Details
The Cartwright dress + top 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.
Suggested Fabrics
The Cartwright dress + top is compatible with mid-weight woven fabrics such as: linen, linen blends, cotton, chambray, denim and wool.
Keep in mind that the weight of the fabric will determine the amount of structure and drape in the finished garment.
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. Select a size based on your high bust measurement and then 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. (More information about how to do this can be found in the Fit Kit.) 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 Fit Kit included in this month’s issue.
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. The Fit Kit has been designed to support makers new to fitting their own clothes, as well as for the more advanced makers who are ready to dive in a little deeper.
By working through this pattern and Fit Kit, you will gain confidence in: sewing a set-in sleeve, sewing an in-seam pocket (dress only) and sewing a bias bound neckline. You will also gain confidence in making a toile and fitting a garment on yourself to achieve a great fit.
The Fit Kit includes tutorials for making alterations to the pattern, such as bust adjustments, grading between sizes, shoulder adjustments, round back adjustment, and many more. Also included are tutorials for pattern making skills that will help you feel confident altering patterns, such as adding seam allowance and checking how much ease is in a sleeve cap.
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 Cartwright dress + top Fit Kit: 100 pages containing a broad range of patternmaking and fitting tutorials to help you through the process of fitting the Cartwright dress and top, as well as most other top and dress patterns with a similar style. You will be reaching for this Fit Kit long into the future.
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.