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Regular price
£12.00
Anna Allen
Anna Allen Demeter Dress and Top
Copyshop
(What is Copyshop?)
We print out the A0 pattern sheets, but you’ll need to download the digital instructions, as we don’t print these. The PDF files will be emailed immediately after purchase, and the printed A0 pattern sheets will be dispatched next working day.
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Buy the Demeter Dress and Top sewing pattern from Anna Allen. The Demeter pattern has four different variations to choose from. All views pull over the head with no closures. View A is a loose fitting dress with short set-in sleeves, bust darts, and a slight empire waistline at the front that dips back down to the natural waistline at the back. The skirt is gathered to the bodice, has inseam pockets and a deep hemline. View B is similar to view A, except it has no sleeves and one inch less wearing ease in the body as well as a longer skirt length (3"). Views C and D are the companion tops to A and B. The tops are crop length (high hip). All views are oversized and have generous wearing ease.
This sewing pattern is available to buy in the following formats:
- PDF (available to download immediately after purchase). What is a PDF?
- PDF pattern + Printed A0 copy shop (We print out the A0 pattern sheets, but you'll need to download the digital instructions, as we don't print these. The PDF files will be emailed immediately after purchase, and the A0 pattern sheets will be dispatched next working day). What is Copy Shop?
Suggested fabrics: This pattern is drafted for woven non-stretch fabrics such as cotton, cotton lawn and linen.
Fabric requirements:
Dress (A and B): 45" (114 cm) wide fabric: 3 1/4 - 3 1/2 yd (3.0 - 3.2 m) // 60" (152 cm) wide fabric: 2 1/2 - 3 yd (2.2 - 2.75 m).
Top (C and D): 45" (114 cm) wide fabric: 1 1/2 - 2 yd (1.3 - 1.85 m) // 60" (152 cm) wide fabric: 1 - 1 1/4 yd (0.9 - 1.15 m).
Sizing: 00 - 22 (approx. UK 6 – 22/24). Please check the size chart and finished garment measurements.
Notions: Matching thread.
PDF pattern includes: Instructions; US letter/A4 print-at-home pattern (44 pages); US copy shop pattern (1 sheet); A0 copy shop pattern (3 sheets).
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Customer Reviews
Based on 4 reviews
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R
I was able to be part of the testing for the Demeter dress and this is the version I made first. The pattern is designed to be longer, but I know for myself I prefer it shorter, it suits me better and with British weather I can team it with tights, boots and a jumper during the colder months – most of them!
I chose this orange check linen cotton mix, I think that this would work better with an 100% linen or a more drapey fabric as this can be quite stiff. As I make a smaller size, a US 6 I have got this pattern down to just 1m of fabric. I lay the two bodice patterns pieces at the top and I then ignore the skirt pattern piece and just cut a rectangle as wide as the width of the fabric. The pattern calls for 2 panels, that are then gathered in, but I just use whatever fabric I have and just do less gathers and it still looks just as good but saves fabric.
It's a lovely simple quick sew, the only fiddly bit is the bias binding – not my strong point.
I used the same fabric for the pockets but wish I had used a lighter fabric as it made it a bit bulky. Overall, I love this dress and often wear it paired with a tee or lightweight jumper
If you want to read a full review of the making of the Demeter dress check out my blog:
https://rubyrosesews.com/sewing-demeter-dress/
M
I talked myself out of buying the Demeter dress for a long time because it was pretty similar to a few other patterns I owned, but I finally caved and I'm very glad I did! The Demeter dress is a brilliant, simple wardrobe staple with lots of variations that can be made in a range of different fabrics. I was really impressed with the quality of the instructions and the clarity and excellent diagrams would make this pattern very suitable for a beginner project. I used a gorgeous gingham linen from Bawn Textiles - it's towards the heavier end of medium weight so my dress is quite volumionous, but I love it! You can read about the size I cut and adjustments I made and see more photos over on my blog post.
R
This is the first pattern I used to sew my first ever item of clothing. I chose view B which is the sleeveless dress. Anna's instructions are excellent, they take you through every single step with clear illustrations. I learnt so much, including how to attach a bias binding which was so satisfying to do.
I am 5ft 11" and so I added 3.5 inches to the length of the skirt because I wanted it a bit longer. I am a size 10 (UK) and cut a straight size 4 in the pattern. I originally made a toile of the top part of the dress in a size 2, which did fit but was just a little tight across the back when I stretched forward, if that makes sense! I think the size 4 is perfect.
I made it in a bio washed cotton and I love it. I will definitely be making more.
a
The seams are all finished with a bias binding and this was the first time I got to try this method and I really enjoyed the process as well as the finished look. I was worried at first that I wasn’t going to be able to do it but it is actually a very easy process.
The pattern comes with 4 different views - a tank, a short sleeve, short sleeve dress, and a sleeveless dress. I made the short sleeve first to test out the bodice with some extra fabric I had leftover and I was happy with the fit of the size 4. The instructions note that the dress has slightly more ease than the shirt and I think if I were to make the dress again I would consider making the size 2. I am also rather short and had intended to shorten the dress but then forgot. I would likely shorten by 2” when I make it again.
The instructions are very thorough and great for beginners, they have a lot of detail and photos to help you along the way. I have learned that I don’t really love doing gathers and don’t have a lot of patience to make them even, which doesn’t really bother me, but I should take more time to master this technique and maybe I will start to like it more.
There are a lot of very similar patterns available to make this dress but I would highly recommend Anna Allens for her instructions and extra details she puts in. Plus it has pockets!
https://www.alysestach.com/blog/
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