Reader question--searching for a pattern

Reader question--searching for a pattern

• 11.08.2011

I got a question from a reader the other day and put together a few things to answer it!  Here's some ideas for patterns to replicate these ModCloth dresses she loved!

Question from Amanda:
I really love a style of dress I've been seeing a lot of lately in the juniors department. It's 60's inspired, with a top that looks like a t-shirt (sleeves, not too low cut, etc), and a skirt that isn't quite a pencil skirt but does taper in. It's usually a mini skirt, and the waist is gathered by a piece of elastic.


Here are some modcloth dresses that look similar: This is the closest one: 

This one has an elastic waist in the right place (not on the natural waist, but up on the ribcage), the skirt is too full though:

I think it would be a pretty easy dress to make, since there are no darts or zippers because the elastic makes it fit! I'd really like to go off a pattern, though I looked on some pattern websites and could not find anything remotely close, it would be awesome if you could find a pattern for me! Thank you so much!

Well, Amanda, I can try!

Those two dresses are constructed very differently--the first one is a tradiationally made bodice, with darts and probably a zipper up the back, but with a t-shirt shaped top.  The second is probably one piece, with elastic in a casing at the empire waist line to bring it in.

I think I know what kind of skirt you're looking for, though, so let me first start by recommending this pattern for the skirt.  I have it, I love it, and I've made it a million times in many varieties.  Simplicity 2497--a staple!

As for the bodice, if you want something that looks like the first dress, you could always use a basic pattern like this one (see the green dress) and change the sleeves--make them longer, make them puffed a little and unlined, whatever you want.

While it's basically the same thing,  here's an image of a similar bodice with a less full skirt so you can see how it might look.

Although if you want a t-shirt shape, you could use a pattern like this one, Butterick B5313, which is for knits and doesn't have a zipper.

And for that matter, you could use any top pattern you like!  These two are similar to the second dress you cited:

Does that give you some ideas?

Readers, have you seen a pattern that looks like the dresses Amanda mentioned?  Please, share your ideas!