Regular price
£14.00 GBP
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£14.00 GBP
Regular price
£14.00
Sew Over It
Sew Over It Ultimate Shift 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 Ultimate Shift Dress sewing pattern from Sew Over It. Want to start dressmaking but don’t know where to begin? The Ultimate Shift Dress would make an ideal first dress project.
The pattern is designed with beginners in mind, and will guide you through the basics of dressmaking. Learn how to create bust darts and attach all-in-one facings like a pro. With no tricky zips or buttonholes to master, simply pop the dress on over your head and fasten with a hook and eye.
But don’t forget, with loads of options for customisation, including adding sleeves, sleeve frills and turning the dress into a top, there is plenty of scope for a more advanced dressmaker to play around and have fun!
Note: An add-on pack (sold separately) is available for the Ultimate Shift Dress. Use the extra pattern pieces in the add-on pack to make a more voluminous elasticated sleeve, add a cute tie cuff detail to the original sleeve, or add some swishiness with a gathered tier at the hem.
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 such as cotton, cotton lawn, or for a softer look, rayon or crepe.
Fabric requirements:
Sizes 6 – 20
Version 1: 1.15 m wide fabric: 2.5 - 2.8 m // 1.40 m wide fabric: 1.6 - 2.4 m.
Version 2: 1.15 m wide fabric: 2.0 - 2.7 m // 1.40 m wide fabric: 1.6 - 2.4 m.
Version 3: 1.15 m wide fabric: 1.4 - 2.2 m // 1.40 m wide fabric: 1.4 - 1.5 m.
Sizes 18 – 30
Version 1: 1.15 m wide fabric (sizes 18 - 28 only): 2.9 - 3.0 m // 1.40 m wide fabric: 2.7 - 2.9 m.
Version 2: 1.15 m wide fabric (sizes 18 - 28 only): 2.7 - 3.0 m // 1.40 m wide fabric: 2.1 - 2.6 m.
Version 3: 1.15 m wide fabric (sizes 18 - 28 only): 2.4 - 2.5 m // 1.40 m wide fabric: 2.0 - 2.5 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.
Notions: Hook and eye.
PDF pattern includes: Instructions; A4 print-at-home pattern (36 pages for sizes 6-20, 48 pages for sizes 18-30); US letter print-at-home pattern (36 pages for sizes 6-20, 45 pages for sizes 18-30); A0 copy shop pattern (2 sheets for sizes 6-20, 3 sheets for sizes 18-30).
If you’re looking for more maker inspiration, check out the latest sewing pattern reviews from the sewing community. We also have a sewing blog to keep you up to date with all the news from the world of sewing.
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Customer Reviews
Based on 10 reviews
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E
This is an excellent pattern, and for me the bust darts are perfect, the shoulders a very fitted so its a great classic woven top.
About 50% of my work wardrobe tops are Sew Over It -Shift Dresses as tops normally in viscose challis. This version is my first one in a viscose twill and I'm really happy with it. The fabric is amazing super smooth and soft.
I made a few adjustments, the sleeves are mid length as I prefer this, and as I've made it many times and know it will go over my head without the hook and eye opening, I took out the back seam and opening.
I also made a mistake on this version I used 15mm as the seam allowance for attaching the neckline facing and then realised (after trimming !) it should have been 10mm, but lucky for me I like it.
100% recommend this pattern, great instructions too as you would expect from Sew Over It.
I've not made the dress version.
e
This was a lovely simple make - perfect for a first beginner make. I added the cap sleeves which took some extra time but a confident sewer could make this in half a day. I used cotton lawn which sewed nicely but does make the dress look slightly stiff and shapeless. To counter this I took the seam in around the waist in a gentle curve. In a drapier fabric such as crepe or rayon you may not need this. I also prefer this particular one with a belt.
H
The Sew Over It Ultimate Shift dress is exactly what it says on the tin - a simple, stylish and smart shift dress.
It's got a classic straight style, a high neck and is above knee in length. There are options to make it sleeveless, with a 3/4 or full length sleeve or with an additional frill over the shoulder which looks gorgeously summery! You can also make it into a top and it's got a little split at the centre back to assist getting it on and off easily. It comes in both a paper and PDF pattern too!
The fabric options suggested are cotton, rayon, or crepe but the options can potentially go on and on: silks, lace, embroidery anglais or even a ponte roma could be lovely for this pattern. I decided to make my version with 3/4 length sleeves and in a floral (obviously) rayon which I also got from Sew Over It in the sale last year (always worth checking back to every now and again for a fabric steal) - it was a bargain at £6 a metre and got 1.5m which turned out to be plenty for size 8. The fabric is really good quality and almost has a peach skin type feel to it, and although it frays very easily - it barely creases at all!
To continue reading this review, visit my blog here:
https://thatssewpeachy.wordpress.com/2018/03/23/truly-florally-ultimate-shift-dress/
Happy sewing,
Holly x
l
I gave this dress the statement sleeve treatment, simply by cutting off the sleeves at the elbow, and then using two rectangles that were twice the circumference, and gathering them to fit in the arm hole. This fabric is a stretch cotton, but really holds its shape. This was my first time sewing this pattern. I took in the sides quite a bit, and took up the hem to counter the boxiness on my figure. It was a quick sew, and I got a ton of compliments on it!
C
Such a great shift pattern, I wish I'd sewn it ages ago! A simple no-zip dress that involves some easy dress-making skills for a beginner or a speedy sew for more advanced sewists. The instructions are very clear and straight forward. I added a lining which is fairly simple to do. Read about the construction here: http://carolinejoynson.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/stash-busting-60s-soi-shift-dress.html
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