Regular price
£14.00 GBP
Sale price
£14.00 GBP
Regular price
£14.00
Sew Over It
Sew Over It Penny Dress
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.
Earn 1 Point on this purchase. Learn more
Buy the Penny Dress sewing pattern from Sew Over It. The Penny Dress is an easy-to-sew, utterly gorgeous shirt dress. So stylish and wearable, Penny is a summer wardrobe must-have.
Penny features a sleeveless button-up bodice, flat collar, pretty gathered shoulder panel and easy-fit elasticated waist. The dropped shoulder offers a nod to the 1950s whilst her simplicity will keep you looking contemporary and cool.
Though shirt dresses can often be fiddly, Penny makes for a refreshingly simple sew. With no darts, zip or collar stand to contend with, Penny is a straightforward project perfect for sunny summer days.
Note: An add-on pack (sold separately) is available for the Penny Dress. Use the extra pattern pieces in the add-on pack to make Penny into a tie-front blouse, a tie-front dress or a stylish playsuit!
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: Lightweight woven fabric with drape, such as rayon, crepe or georgette, lightweight cottons such as lawn or voile, linen or seersucker.
Fabric requirements: Please note that to accommodate the width of the pattern, your fabric must be at least 140 cm wide. Avoid directional/one-way designs due to the half circle skirt.
Sizes 6 – 20
1.40 m wide fabric: 3.2 - 3.45 m.
Sizes 18 – 30
1.40 m wide fabric: 3.5 - 3.8 m.
Sizing: UK 6 – 20 and UK 18 – 30 (approx. UK 6 – 20 and UK 20 – 32, based on our standardised size chart). Please also check the designer’s size charts and finished garment measurements.
This pattern is split into two different blocks. The 6 – 20 size range is drafted for a B cup. The 18 – 30 size range is drafted for a D cup.
Notions: 1.5 m of 1 cm wide elastic; 0.6 m of interfacing; three 8 mm buttons.
PDF pattern includes: Instructions; A4 print-at-home pattern (43 pages for sizes 6-20, 46 pages for sizes 18-30); US letter print-at-home pattern (41 pages for sizes 6-20, 46 pages for sizes 18-30); A0 copy shop pattern (2 sheets for sizes 6-20, 3 sheets for sizes 18-30).
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If you’re looking for maker inspiration check out our blog. With weekly updates on new patterns, styling ideas and maker inspiration, it's not to be missed.
D
I love the Penny dress! It's one of my favourite Sew Over It patterns. I cut out a size 10 and it fit me straight out of the packet with no adjustments. The only thing I changed was the style of the skirt. I don't normally like how circle skirts look on me, so I changed it to a tiered and gathered skirt which was a really easy adjustment. I just made sure that the circumference of my top tier matched the circumference of the waist on the pattern and then calculated my second and third tiers from that measurement. It's such a comfortable dress to wear and not too tricky to sew, so I will definitely be making more!
I've written up a more detailed review on my blog if you are interested!
www.dressbyamy.co.uk
N
I found this an easy pattern to follow, chose this lovely Indian block print fabric. Very flattering and comfortable to wear style.
M
If you're a beginner dressmaker looking to sew a simple shirt dress, Penny is a great place to start! Her vintage style and full circle skirt are beautifully feminine and she makes a nice, simple project for a more experienced sewist.
As Penny requires around 3m of yardage and I've not made her before, I didn't want to spend a huge amount on fabric. I found this pretty viscose at Birmingham Rag Market and it was only £2 per metre - perfect! The background is a rich, rusty brown and is peppered with the cutest pastel blue and yellow flowers - ideal for transitioning between seasons!
The instructions were simple and easy enough to follow, but I did find that some notches that were referred to didn't seem to be marked on the pattern pieces. I also really dislike the way the sleeve hem is created by cutting into the fabric. This started to look like a weak point before I had even finished making the dress, so I reinforced it with some additional stitching. If I make another Penny, I would definitely research a better way of constructing the sleeves.
I made a straight size 10, as I always do in Sew Over It patterns, and the fit is pretty good. Although I've never had to adjust for a long torso before, I would add another inch to the Penny bodice in future, as it's a little short - something I have seen mentioned in a few other reviews.
As well as changing the sleeve construction and adding an inch to the bodice of my next Penny, I would also take the time to add rouleau belt loops at the side seams. I wanted my Penny to be work-appropriate, but I think I've been a little too conservative with my top button placement and I would lower this a centimetre or two next time!
I am pleased with my Penny and she's a very wearable toile, which I can improve on with a few tweaks. I love how the full circle skirt moves when made in a drapey fabric and I like the vintage-feel that the collar and waistline give to the silhouette.
A
The Penny was long time on my sewing list and I made this top version few weeks ago. I love it and it is perfect in this light viscose fabric in the summer heat.
I did not have enough of this fabric for a dress and wanted to test the pattern before making it in full length. Love the shoulder detail and also the placket and collar construction. It was easy and straightforward to make. I used both instructions and sewalong for collar and placket construction on their website for extra help. I initially wanted to make the front tie hack from their blog, but probably made a mistake along the way and it did not work. Then I chopped some length off and got this boxy shirt. I like it like this and already wore it few times.
a
The pattern itself was pretty easy to follow. Like a lot of people I struggled a bit to understand what was required of me for the placket, but a little googling sorted that out for me.
I found the torso very short. I normally have to add an inch on any pattern, but I should have added another two to three to this to have it sit correctly during everyday wear. I think they have corrected this with the launch of the printed pattern so should no longer be an issue.
Considering making another as it's great everyday wear for work and a very adaptable top once the fit is right.
Read more about my make here: https://aitcheysews.wordpress.com/2018/04/21/a-sentimental-sew-over-it-penny-shirt-dress-for-alittlelawnparty/
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