New Pattern: Antrim Dress
This is all you need to know about the new Itch to Stitch sewing pattern, Antrim Dress: A fit-and-flare knit dress with cup sizes and pockets that comes in sizes 00 to 40. Phew! That’s a lot packed in one phrase!
Let’s break it down.
A fit-and-flare dress is probably the most universally flattering silhouette regardless of your age and size. Check out the testers’ photos and you will see!
Knit dress means comfort. Some of us might have a fluctuating waistline or bust on different days for one reason or another. This Antrim Dress gets you covered! It is flexible enough to accommodate you. Also, a knit dress means it stretches and you can put the dress on through the head without any need for zipper or buttons! (I know a few of you still are intimated by zippers and buttons…I hope you will try them one day, but you don’t have to in this pattern 😉 )
Yes, the Antrim has cup sizes! Usually, I don’t put cup sizes on my knit patterns, but I did it this time because of the surplice bodice. A good fit in the bust means no gaping in the V neck!
The Antrim Dress has pockets! Yes, they are big enough to sink your entire hand in. They are also attached to the waist seam so the weight of the pocket is anchored. And because of the flare of the skirt, you don’t have to worry about your stuff bulging out—there’s enough room! Yup, the Antrim is not just pretty, it’s also practical.
The Antrim Dress comes in sizes 00 to 40! I think most of you should be covered. Note that sizes 00 to 20 come in A, B, C, D and DD cups, while sizes 22 to 40 come in B, C, D and DD cups.
Here’s a bonus: it’s nursing-friendly! Just be sure to use a fabric that has super good recovery, or you can even put some elastic in the neckline to ensure it will withstand repeat stretching.
In the tester photos below, you can see that the V neck is higher on some people and lower on others. Maybe a lower neckline appeals to you or vice versa. It’s (almost) all in your fabric choice! Fabric with less vertical stretch results in a higher neckline, and fabric with more vertical stretch results in a lower neckline. But regardless, do follow the stretch recommendation on the horizontal stretch: Use lightweight to medium weight knit fabric with 50% to 60% stretch and very good recovery. Generally speaking, if you pick something with less stretch, the dress will be tight, and if you pick something with more stretch, the dress will be big.
By the way, I love the color of this fabric I am using. I bought this rayon jersey knit fabric from Minerva Crafts. My color is dark fuchsia. Rayon spandex’s quality can vary dramatically, and it’s hard to get a good quality one. But this one is really good. It is beefier than the others I typically see on the market, and the recovery is good, not to mention that the color choices are fantastic.
For one week (through September 7, 2020), the Antrim Dress sewing pattern is 20% off. The volume discount still applies—get 15% off your entire cart if your purchase is $20 or more, or 20% off your entire cart if your purchase is $30 or more!
Wow, I never write so many in the release announcement (I am feeling extra chatting today). But let me stop myself and show you the testers’ beautiful Antrim Dresses!
Thank you, my talented testers! It’s such a joy seeing all your beautiful creations!
- Andrea
- Annick
- Ashley
- Bernice
- Boon Kuan
- Brooke
- Catherine
- Cheryl
- Chiara
- Claire
- Crystal
- Debbie
- Delphine
- Denise
- Diana
- Erika
- Glenda
- Grace
- Heleen
- Ilse
- Jan
- Jen
- Jenny
- Joelene
- Jolien
- Jos
- Kadri
- Karina
- Katie
- Kayla
- Kelle
- Leanne
- Lindsey
- Lorraine
- Margaret
- Margaret
- Meriel
- Michelle
- Mina
- Natasha
- Nelleke
- Nicole
- Rosemary
- Sarah Jane
- Sharon
- Sharon A.
- Stacey
- Tanis
- Taryn
- Tatiana
- Tiina
- Tracey
- Virginie
- Whitney
Be sure to get your Antrim Dress pattern while it’s 20% off (only through September 7, 2020)!
This pattern looks amazing! Only one thing has me on the fence about it, though. Is there a way I could bring the neckline up further with a built-in modesty panel?
How can I remove the gathers under the bust and just have a flat bodice?
Hi Cathi, you just don’t sew the gathers and remove the extra at the front side. That’s essentially a small bust adjustment.
Another question – I’ve already sent one in regarding what the best best fabric for this..my other question is..looking at the tester pictures…is there any way the type of fabric can be listed? Or am I missing it? Just wondering. Thank you for your time!
I’m returning to sewing after having 2 children and going through menopause. Prior to these events most patterns fit me perfectly. Now I am a 34G bra size. I have narrow shoulders as well. I made this dress in a size 12 with the DD cup. It fits perfectly through the bust but I had to take about 2 inches in at the waist and the shoulder seam hangs about a inch past where it should fall. Do you recommend that I cut a size 10 through the waist and shoulder area and the 12 DD for the bust? I love the way this hides my belly pouch. Luckily, I made my first dress out of a print so the should fit issue isn’t as visible but I’d like the next one to fit a bit better.
I am similarly sized and made a size 10 with blending to 12DD at the bust area. I found that with my test garment the bust area was too short and this is after having added an inch in length already. I think this is because all of my bust is on the front as a projection and very little is on my sides. The next step is for me to add 2 more inches (a total of 3″) to the length on the front bust area. I am wondering if you did a similar? I get frustrated by sewing efforts that end up without a garment I would wear in public.
What is the very best fabric for this dress? What would a first choice fabric be?
Would Liverpool work? Just wonder here….Types of knits kind of scare me, but I am willing to try this!
Hi Dena, you can see the Recommended fabric in the Material tab on the product page (Scroll down a bit and you will see the tab): https://itch-to-stitch.com/product/antrim-dress-digital-sewing-pattern-pdf/
Sorry, it’s not easy to list the fabric the testers used. But mostly they use rayon spandex, cotton Lycra, ITY and DBP.
I love this dress and it is just what I’m looking for. A question I have is can I stitch that wrap neckline down so it’s a mock wrap? Wrap necklines never fit me and always gap open and I hate that.
Hi Hope, yes, you can stitch it down if you’d like. The reason I make cup sizes for this dress is so that the front doesn’t gape. If you don’t stretch out the neckline during sewing, the chance is that it won’t gape. Also, use a knit fabric with minimal vertical stretch will help too.
I adore this pattern and everything about it! I bought some gorgeous jersey a couple of months ago and now I know what it’s going to become. And with baby #1 due in a month’s time, it will be great to breastfeed in! It might be my first naptime project while I’m learning how to be a mum!
Hi, I’m a “beginner +” what are my chances to manage this pattern do yoy think?
It’s very hard for me to say since self-described level is subjective. Let’s say if you have sewn an inseam pocket, gathered with multiple layers of fabric, sewn knit without stretching it out, and can follow instructions in a detailed and precise way (including selecting the right fabric), then you should do fine.
I’m in love with this dress! It’s beautiful on every single tester. Since fall is on the way, I would like long sleeves. Any advice on how to modify for this?
Hi Jennifer, you can extend the sleeve at the hem and taper it. That’s all. 😊
This is beautiful! And pockets!!!!! I have tried buying this style ready made but because of my long torso they never fit. Your fabric choice for your dress is lovely! Looks very nice and you look completely put together. Ready for a picnic or a night out.
Thanks for the great pattern.
You had me at “cup sizes”, but the photos sealed it. This one is definitely going in my cart.
You are such a gifted designer, you make everybody look gorgeous in this wonderful design. Thank you and congratiolations on the release.
Wow! It really does look spectacular on everyone!
What a great pattern! It looks fantastic on every one of your testers. I can’t wait to try it!
Wow! Simply lovely.
It’s rare to see a pattern that suits every body shape and age but this one does. Seriously we’ll done!
Thank you 🙏
Agree!
I want to make a pretty choker necklace for each one of them! I am a plus size woman and I love it!
That would be very pretty!
Sharp looking dress on all the testers! How would you lengthen the dress to a mid-calf design or longer?
There is a lengthen/shorten line at the skirt. The pattern includes some instructions, but basically you cut it there and spread the pattern pieces. Then re-draw the side seam from the top to the bottom of the skirt. This way, you don’t add too much flare/weight to the skirt.
This dress is crazy beautiful. I think it’s the prettiest one I’ve seen a pattern for.
That is a *freakingly* beautiful design!
What would I have to modify to create a more empire/ higher- waist look?
Thank you, Yael. You can shorten the bodice using the lengthen/shorten instructions provided in the pattern. 🙂
You are right. Everyone looks terrific in this dress! And so many beautiful fabrics and clever combinations. Thank you for inspiring me.
They did a terrific job! I am thrilled. 😊
Hello Ms Wong,
Is there a way to place the sash lower at the natural waist? I have a very long torso and prefer when it hits my actual waist, not under the bust.
Hi Maureen, you can lengthen the bodice using the lengthen/shorten instructions that come with the pattern.