Colour Blocking • Pattern Mixing • Tonal Textures
These are few of my favourite things! ( Tra la la…) My latest sewing pattern, the Asymmetric A-line Dress, is the PERFECT style for all three of these design options.
You can colour-block it in fabulous brights, OR you can work it up in similar tones of the same colour using different textures and weaves, OR you can be really brave and MIX & MATCH your patterns.
Try combining sheer fabrics and lace or crochet type materials into the occasional panel for a really pretty and contemporary look.
The dress shape is gently A-line with darts at the bust and little cap sleeves. The length comes to just above the knee (I’m 5ft 8.) There is a diagonal bodice and there are 2 panels at the front, one of which allows the diagonal pocket with trim. The back panel is just one full piece. (The dress is actually just a slightly adjusted and simpler version of the Essential Denim Dress.) NB The Asymmetric A-line Dress is no longer available as a free PDF download. Sorry for any disappointment, but there are lots of other free patterns under Resources so please have a browse.
In my version shown here, I have used a fabric from the FREE SPIRIT range (Lily Pads 2 by Joel Dewbury). The blue is a lovely pinstripe denim-look linen that I had left over from another project. The back of the dress, which is just a single panel, is the also the patterned fabric, so your back view is quite different from the front (scroll further down for a back view).
For those of you who haven’t come across FREE SPIRIT, it’s a contemporary, colourful and ultra stylish collection by a group of designers (who include Amy Butler and Zandra Rhodes.) Shown here are just a few of their beautiful range. All these are 100% cotton and perfect for the Asymmetric A-line dress.
I know that pattern mixing can be a bit daunting, so, to make things a little easier, have a look at some of the combinations I have put together here. The options are endless but each one shows a different way of working tone, pattern and colour. All fabrics are from the FREE SPIRIT range. You can mix and match to your hearts content.
Mixing a great pattern with a co-ordinating or contrasting plain is always effective. The middle version here show 2 different plain colours that tie in with the pattern. The lefthand version uses similar fabrics to those I used but with a flash of orange on the pocket which gives it a real ZING.
And here are some options for the more daring of you – mix 2 different patterns that use the same colour palette. This stops it all being too busy and is quite easy to do with a set collection of fabrics as designers tend to repeat colours through a range.
I love these soft blues and aquas – they are so summery. The leaf pattern above is really large scale and has a lot of impact – a feminine version of Hawiian I thought!
The mix and match works equally well in darker colours. I love the playful flash of pink in the centre dress.
Above all this pattern is FUN! I can’t wait to try out a million different colour and pattern combinations. I will post them up for you to have a look at as they appear. Happy mixing!
The Asymmetric A-line Dress is no longer available as a free PDF download. Sorry for any disappointment, but there are lots of other free patterns under Resources so please have a browse.
What size is this pattern?
Hi Doris, it is a size 12. Have a look on the Making a Pattern Fit page to see how to adjust it to fit you. x
I am going to make it. Might have to adjust the size a bit but if I can I will load a picture when done.
Thank you very much.
Just found your page and blog and am so impressed with your designs. You really should sell them. They are so much better than most of the PDF fashions I see out there and while you say your are not an expert sewist, you have a great sense of design and space. I really like that you are not loaded with ads and find that really appealing. I will recommend you page to my blogging friends. Will be following.
Thankyou so much for your lovely feedback. I have though about selling them, or maybe doing a paid for range and keeping the free range too.
I have never used pdf patterns before. I need help putting the pattern together. Thanks
Hi Lucy, have a look at the overview page to give you a good idea of what goes where. And you should see at the top of each page some numbers like: 1,3. This means row one, third one across (starting from the left). Or 4,2 means forth row from the top and second page across from the left. Hope that helps x
I made the Canadian version. Would like to send you a picture.
Can’t wait – send it through!
I have lots of remnants I can use. How much fabric is needed for the floral portion of the dress?
Can’t remember exactly off the top of my head, but less than half a metre if you are just doing the front bits. Send me a pic when you are finished!
Just wondering… is the pattern for a size 12 UK… or is it American?
Sorry – I should specify shouldn’t I. Its a UK 12.
Hi Laura! just found this pattern after sending you a question about the essential denim dress. Would this work without sleeves, do you think ? My sister is visiting me from Greece next week, in need of some sleeveless summer dresses. (Greece might not have any money, but it still has sunshine!) I have some lovely bits of Liberty lawn, not all big enough for one dress but which would look fab in this. My original question asked for a(very) easy pull-on sundress- no sleeves, zips, darts or shirring(!)- basically a triangle with arm holes. can you help…please?! THANK YOU! xx
Hi again Wendy – don’t be scared of darts. They are really easy. (I can understand you fear of zips – they are much more tricky).
Have a look at this tutorial. It shows how to do a really good dart, but even this is more complicated than it has to be. It’s just one straight line of stitching that stops bagging!
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/539869074058591391/
And this pretty top with a few inches added onto the bottom would make a lovely shift dress https://www.pinterest.com/pin/545780048564142664/
lovely
Hi Laura – I tried it. So here is the link to my blog with a review of your pattern.
http://regailing.blogspot.com/p/pattern-review-sew-differents.html
It was fun – not sure how it happened but it turned out way too small – not a US size 10 like I was expecting.
HI Gail
Your dress looks great. Like the fabrics you have used and the review. I’m sorry that it didn’t fit – but a UK12 is equivalent to a US8 not a 10. There is a chart on the making a pattern fit page. I also wonder if perhaps you didn’t have the pattern printed out at 100% hence turning out so small? You are right about the sticking together of the pattern being time consuming. A lot of people have said the same which is why I am forging ahead with the paper patterns. Good luck with your next project. x
Hi Laura – I will double check the percentage next time – I just presumed it was at 100%. I was going by the measurements for a UK 12 and it looked like my measurements would fit, but you may be right about it not being at 100%. I should have done it on a muslin first – I’m usually too impatient for muslin. Anyway, it was fun and I’ve added to my experiences. Thank you! I’ll let you know if I try it again.
Yes, I can relate to that. I never do muslins and often regret it!
love love love your site
Ooooh – thankyou! Please spread the word. x
Any chance you’ll re-release the pdf (or print) pattern for this dress in the future, either as a free or a for-purchase pattern? I just ADORE this dress, it’s so cleverly designed and can easily be made for a younger or, ahem, not-so-young woman depending on fabrics chosen. What say you? 🙂
Hi Athena – yes, it’s good for all ages and looks really different depending on the fabrics you choose. So different, in fact, that you may not have recognised it in it’s original form as the Essential Denim Dress which is available as a paper pattern here: http://www.sewdifferent.co.uk/essential-denim-dress/
You would just have to add some length and join two of the front panels for the style of the Asymmetric Aline Dress
Thank you – it’s on my wish list! Beautiful design!
Love this!
I love this design! Please bring it back! I’ll donate coffee AND biscuits!
Hi Jen, this is just a slight adjustment of the Essential Denim Dress with can be found here:http://www.sewdifferent.co.uk/essential-denim-dress/
If you look at the front you will see that you need to cut out the 2 panels together rather than separately and, voila, the same dress!
Is this pattern for purchase? And if so, are there specifics of percentages to enlarge it? It really is adorable! Sure hope I can get hold of it!!
I know you have a pattern similar to this but I was wanting to purchase this pattern if that’s possible. I’ve just gotten back into sewing and I’m the type that needs a step by step guide of what I need to be doing!
I’m sorry Michelle. I don’t have that exact pattern – just the Essential Denim Dress which is easily adapted.