From ROBERTS | WOOD KiT:
The Drafters Grid Dress is a cleverly drafted patchwork dress that has been designed to give the maker the maximum creative opportunities - both with infinite colour and fabric combinations, but also the ability to adapt the design to your preferences. It is a tool to design your own bespoke pieces. The ‘original’ version of the dress is based on a Gingham / Vichy check pattern, cleverly created within the cut of the patchwork - a patchwork that also shapes the dress into its adaptable silhouette. However, it can also be made in checked , striped, blocked and gradient combinations - or pretty much anything you can dream up, to make thousands of possibilities. There are dozens of possible combinations of length and style variations that can be achieved by adding and removing rows of the dress, or making the dress into separates.
Design & Construction Techniques: This project is intended to be highly adaptable to help you realise your creative vision. The basis of the construction is actually very simple - to assemble the patchwork in rows, and join the rows together. The project is broken down into sections, so you can complete the project in parts if you wish (e.g the assembly of the body, sleeves and skirt can be done in separate sessions.) The finishes include: binding for the neckline, a concealed zip in the centre back, a turned hem for the skirt and a facing or binding for the sleeve. This pattern has been specifically developed to make use of smaller remnants and offcuts of fabric which you might have left over from other sewing projects, or possibly from other unused textiles or clothing
Recommended Fabrics: The design will work best with lightweight fabrics such as cotton, linen or silk. You could cut the fabric pieces either from 3 fabrics as suggested but the design of the grid structure means there are infinite colour, texture, transparency and colour distribution options you can experiment with. The project includes colouring sheets which you can use to plan your project. Because the patchwork contains lots of smaller pattern pieces, this is a great project to use secondhand, reclaimed or salvaged fabrics.
Sizing: UK (6-8, 10-12), (10-12, 14-16), (14-16, 18), (18-20), (20-22), (22-24), (24-26), (26-28)
Sizing & Fit Notes: This patchwork dress has a loose fitting silhouette. The waistline should sit approximately at the natural waist on most heights. The sleeves have a subtle ‘lantern’ shaping with the option to elasticate the cuff. The dress fastens with a concealed zip at the centre back down to the waist. The dress length can be easily adjusted by adding or removing rows of patchwork. There are 8+ row length options that allow you to make anything from a mini skirt to a floor length dress. Additionally the sleeve length can be varied from full length to sleeveless with 6 sleeve length options. Instructions are also provided to add elastic at the waist to create a more fitted silhouette.
The dress can also easily be split into a separates to make a loose fitting cropped or peplum top and a patchwork skirt with a gathered elasticated waist. The pattern includes the option to add side seam pockets in the dress or skirt
Please see garment measurements listed to help you choose the right size (for additional fit information on bust ease and shoulder to shoulder measurements - see here)