Bodice block sewing pattern
A close-fitting bodice and sleeve to your measurements, with bust and waist darts: test the fit in calico, then design from it. Intermediate.
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Style options
- Ease at the bust: 0 to 20 cm
- With a sleeve: yes or no
Pattern pieces
Sizes
Choose a standard size or put in your own measurements: the pattern is drafted to them. The women’s body measurements (cm):
| Size | Bust or chest | Waist |
|---|---|---|
| UK 6 | 76 | 56 |
| UK 8 | 81 | 61 |
| UK 10 | 86 | 66 |
| UK 12 | 91 | 71 |
| UK 14 | 96 | 76 |
| UK 16 | 101 | 81 |
| UK 18 | 106 | 86 |
| UK 20 | 111 | 91 |
| UK 22 | 116 | 96 |
| UK 24 | 121 | 101 |
Men’s sizes XS to 3XL are in the app too. See how to take your measurements.
Fabric and materials
Suggested fabrics: Calico or muslin for a toile (a test version).
For UK 12, as it comes:
- Main fabric: 1.7 m of 115 cm wide, 1.2 m of 140 cm wide, 1.2 m of 150 cm wide
- Calico or muslin
- Thread in a contrasting colour, for the toile
- A pencil and ruler to mark the lines
How to sew it
- Trace the sewing lines, darts, waistline and grainlines onto the calico: they matter more than the cutting lines in a toile.
- Sew the darts with long stitches, then the shoulder and side seams. Press.
- Sew the sleeve seam and set the sleeve in, easing the cap between the notches.
- Try it on inside out, pinned closed at the centre back. Pin out any looseness and mark where it pulls, then change the pattern to match.
- When it fits, save the measurements and use the block to design from: move darts, add fullness or change the neckline.
More patterns
- T-shirt: A classic T-shirt in stretch knit, with a neckband: crew, scoop or V-neck, short to long sleeves.
- Tank top: A sleeveless knit top with bound neck and armholes: scoop, crew or V-neck.
- Shift dress: A simple woven dress, straight or A-line, with a bust dart, facings and a back zip; sleeveless to long sleeves.