A Complete Guide on A-Line Dress Patterns: Sewing a Perfect Dress Has Never Been Easier!

Here, we cover everything about A-line dress patterns: where you can get it, or how you can draft one by yourself.
By
Jean Chaney
Jean Chaney
Research Writer
Jean is the brains behind her fashion label. She's a whiz with a needle and thread, and has been sewing since she was old enough to hold a pair of scissors. Jean has always read more
reviewed
Reviewed By
Isabel Misner
Isabel Misner
Expert Consultant
A professional seamstress. Isabel has her own video blog where she shares her experience about all the aspects of sewing – from choosing suitable materials to step-by-step read more
Last updated: August 26, 2023
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Dresses are one of the classiest clothing items you can wear to any event. They come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, including the A-line Trusted Source A-line (clothing) - Wikipedia An A-line skirt is a skirt that is fitted at the hips and gradually widens towards the hem, giving the impression of the shape of a capital letter A. The term is also used to describe dresses and coats with a similar shape. en.wikipedia.org dress pattern. The term “A-Line” was first introduced by Christian Dior Trusted Source A-Line Dress The term first entered the vocabulary of fashion via the couturier Christian Dior’s collection for Spring 1955, which he named the “A-Line.” In the 1950s, the international fashion press looked to Paris, and Dior in particular, to set the direction fashion would take each season. Dior obliged by organizing each new collection around a specific idea, and giving each a name that described or evoked that idea. fashion-history.lovetoknow.com for the Spring 1955 collection. Soon after, this particular dress shape became extremely popular all over the world!

This structured piece of garment has a triangular silhouette with a fitted top that widens out from the waistline. An A-line dress usually stands away from your body to form an A shape, hence the name. This type of design suits every body shape and you, too, can use the shape to design your own dresses.

This article will not only introduce all types of A-line dress patterns but also help you make your own patterns. Since this style has endless variations, you get to have numerous options for your dress to help make it more versatile.

A-Line Dress Patterns Available Online

There can be times when you really want to get an A-line dress for yourself, but either it’s too expensive or you don’t like the style. In such a case, you can always stitch your own A-line dress. This can be done using A-line dress patterns.

A-line dress patterns help guide you through this particular style of dress. You can easily use a pattern to cut out your fabric and stitch it together. And if you are new to stitching, then you can easily buy A-line dress patterns available online.

Where to Buy a Pattern

A Complete Guide on A-Line Dress Patterns: Sewing a Perfect Dress Has Never Been Easier!When it comes to A-line dress patterns, you can easily buy them online. Ready-made A-line dress patterns usually have standardized sizes and designs. You can find patterns for a range of sizes from extra small to extra large. You can even buy patterns that have unique designs.

Numerous websites and retailers offer A-line dress patterns you can buy. For example, this creative A-line dress pattern is available on amazon. You can browse such sites and get a pattern that best suits your stitching needs.

Usually, these patterns are accompanied by a step-by-step instruction booklet that helps you guide through the entire procedure. Some patterns also include a guide to help take accurate measurements, while some patterns come with checklists to make sure that you’re following all the steps accurately.

Here are some different patterns that you can find online:

  • Avid Seamstress: You can find numerous sewing patterns here, including that for A-line dresses. This particular pattern is ideal for those who are beginners when it comes to stitching. With the help of the pattern, you can create a dress that is flattering due to its fitted bodice and V-neckline. The pattern also gives you the option to help stitch some inner pockets for that extra storage space. You can buy the pattern in sizes that include UK 6 to UK 22.
  • A-line Dress e930: Sewing patterns like this are extremely simple to fit and easy to stitch. You can use this pattern on any type of fabric to get yourself an elegantly designed A-line dress. For a casual look, you can make a linen or cotton dress. For a formal dress, you can use silk or velvet and even get it embellished for that elegant look.

Free Patterns

If you’re not willing to spend money on buying an A-line dress pattern, then you can always look for free patterns. Websites such as Pinterest and Etsy offer free patterns. Using a printer, you can print out these patterns and use them to make your own A-line dress.

Here are some free patterns:

  • A-line dress with peter pan collar: This dress pattern is free, and you can use it to make a short dress. The pattern also comes with instructions to make a peter pan collar that goes with an A-line dress.
  • A-Line Dress: This free pattern is extremely simple and easy to follow. You can get it printed for your dress design.

How to Make Your Own A-Line Dress Pattern

If you don’t like any of the patterns available online, then you can always make your own A-line dress pattern. The following instructions include extremely easy and simple steps that can help you make some stylish patterns for your dress.

This method is made for beginners. So even if you’re not a stitching expert, you can easily make your own patterns. Not only this, but since most online patterns have standard sizes and designs, you can go as creative as possible while making your own A-line dress pattern.

Let’s get started!

What You Will Need

A Complete Guide on A-Line Dress Patterns: Sewing a Perfect Dress Has Never Been Easier!The first thing you need to do is to collect all the items needed to make an A-line pattern. When it comes to making your own A-line dress patterns, you need to keep the following things at hand:

  • Printer and computer: You can print out A-line dress patterns online using a printer and a computer.
  • Measuring tape: Using a measuring tape, you will be able to take different measurements for the A-line dress and translate those measurements to help make a perfect sized A-line dress.
  • Cutting mat: While cutting the pattern, place it on a cutting mat to make sure that the surface of your working table does not get damaged.
  • Pencil: You will require a pencil to draw fine lines for the A-line dress pattern. You can even use colored pencils to help with different kinds of lines that can be easily identifiable while cutting.
  • Wrapping paper: This will be used as the reference point for the design as well as the measurements.
  • Fabric: This goes without saying, but you will need to get some fabric for your A-line dress. The choice of the fabric material depends on your needs. You can use anything from linen to cotton, and so on.
  • Pins: When it comes to stitching, pins are extremely versatile. You can use these to hold different materials in place or even use them throughout the process of making an A-line dress pattern.
  • Sewing scissors: Sewing scissors will be used to help cut out the pattern that you draw. For accurate and precise cutting, make sure that your scissors are sharp.
  • Iron: You will need an iron to help flatten the fabric before you trace out the pattern on it. Iron can be used to flatten any wrinkles or creases.

Measurements You Need to Take

A Complete Guide on A-Line Dress Patterns: Sewing a Perfect Dress Has Never Been Easier!Before you start working on the pattern, you need to take proper measurements to help ensure that the A-line fits your waist well. With proper measurements, you’ll get a well-structured dress complimenting your body shape. Here are the areas that you need to measure for an A-line dress with proper instructions to measure them:

  • Waist: While measuring, start with the waist as it is extremely easy to measure. The waist area can be easily identified on the body as it lies between the ribcage and the hips. To measure the waist, wrap the measuring tape around your waist while making sure that the tape is not twisted. Make sure that your body is relaxed during the measurements as it helps with accurate measurement. Once the measurement has been done, note it down in your notebook.
  • Bust: Measuring your bust can be complicated but you need to get it right as an ill-fit dress may not look flattering. To measure your bust, wrap your measuring tape around the thickest part of your bust and note down the measurement.
  • Bodice length: Also known as the armscye depth, the bodice length can be pretty challenging to measure. Before you start to worry, we have a number of ways that we can use to measure the length of the bodice. The easiest way to measure is by using the body ratio. Find out the length of your armpit to your waist. This length would be equivalent to your bodice length. If you find that hard, then you can measure the distance between the nape of your neck till the back of your armholes and then note down the measurement.
  • Nape to waist: While this measurement is pretty straightforward, it can be difficult to measure at times. What you can do is to take a string and place it on the nape of your neck and bring it all the way down till your waist. Then mark the string and use a measuring tape to note down the length. Another easy way is to take the measurement from the back of your body. If you are unable to do this on your own, you can ask a friend to help you out to measure the vertical distance between your nape and waist.
  • Neck circumference: To get the measurements for your neckline, loosely wrap the measuring tape around the end of your neck and note down the measurement. This one is fairly simple and easy.
  • Shoulder to shoulder: To get this measurement more accurately, you would first need to identify the tips of your shoulder. They are usually located at the highest point of your shoulder bone. Once you have recognized the tips, place your measuring tape at one end and take it all the way to the other. Measure the distance between these two tips and note it down.
  • Back width: Measure the distance between two armholes to get the width of your back.
  • Length: Most important measurement would be the length of your dress. You can make the length of your dress from mini to long length. It depends on the style that you require.

The handy video below shows how to take measurements for a dress before you start drawing a pattern.

Once you have noted down these important measurements, you can begin working on your pattern by following the instructions mentioned below.

Instructions

Step 1

A Complete Guide on A-Line Dress Patterns: Sewing a Perfect Dress Has Never Been Easier!To make your own A-line dress pattern, take two pieces of fabric. The choice of the fabric is up to you. Make sure that the fabric length is equal to your desired dress length. You can opt for a mini dress, midi dress, or long dress, depending upon your preference.

After getting the fabric, fold one piece of the fabric into a vertical half. Then, using sewing chalk, start marking your fabric. We recommend using this sewing chalk. While marking your fabric, you can hold it in place using sewing pins. Sewing pins make sure that the fabric stays in its place firmly so the correct measurements can be marked on your pattern.

Step 2

A Complete Guide on A-Line Dress Patterns: Sewing a Perfect Dress Has Never Been Easier!For the back piece of the dress, mark the neckline and the armhole sizes according to your measurements. For the length of your shoulder, use half of your tip to tip shoulder length. Then, you start making a diagonal line from the end of your armhole till you reach your desired length. You can opt for a high A-lined dress or subtly A-lined. You can achieve this by lowering or increasing the angle between your line and the armhole. For more accuracy, you can always use specific sewing tools specially made to help cut dress patterns.

Step 3

A Complete Guide on A-Line Dress Patterns: Sewing a Perfect Dress Has Never Been Easier!Following the same measurements as the back piece, work on the front piece of your dress using the other fabric piece. If you want to opt for sleeves, you can cut a sewing pattern accordingly.

While marking your fabric, you can always smooth it out using iron for sewing. This helps you to remove creases, so the markings are visible.

Step 4

Before cutting out the pattern, you can work on the design of your fabric. Here, most people end up doing embroidery on their A-line dress to give it a unique and stylish look. You can add floral patterns or any other creative idea to your dress.

Step 5

A Complete Guide on A-Line Dress Patterns: Sewing a Perfect Dress Has Never Been Easier!To make the neckline, use a paper-thin interfacing fabric. Fold the fabric by the center and using the circumference of your neck, mark the neckline. Leave a gap of ¼ inches along the curve and then cut along it. Once you have gotten a ring shape, clip the fabric to this shape and stitch it together. Don’t worry if it’s messy as it will be going inside the dress.

Step 6

A Complete Guide on A-Line Dress Patterns: Sewing a Perfect Dress Has Never Been Easier!Align all the fabric pieces together and stitch them together to get an A-line dress.

The handy guide below shows how to draft an A-line dress for an adult.

And from the video below, you’ll learn how to make an A-line dress pattern for a girl ages 5 to 6.

Digital Method for Making a Pattern

In this era of technology, knowing how to make a pattern digitally is an important skill to have. Making a digital A-line dress pattern can be less time-consuming as it helps get accurate measurements and even helps you replicate the design multiple times.

To make a digital pattern, you can use software designed for this particular purpose. One popular software is Adobe Illustrator. It’s simple and easy to use. You can even load measurement skills on this software to help you plot the pattern for your A-line dress.

Once you start drawing the lines on Adobe Illustrator, you’ll get accurate measurements. Using online tools such as a curved ruler, you can work on the neckline and the armholes. You can be as creative as you want. Once you are satisfied with your design, you can simply print out your pattern and use it to cut your fabric and stitch it together into an A-line dress.A Complete Guide on A-Line Dress Patterns: Sewing a Perfect Dress Has Never Been Easier!

Final Thoughts

For many years, A-line dress has been super popular. From wearing it casually to wearing it at formal events, an A-line dress never goes out of style. And what better way to wear this dress than to have it designed by yourself. Using an A-line dress pattern, you can make your own A-line dresses in any way you want.

You can buy patterns online or even print them out to use for stitching. If you’re thinking about customizing your own A-line dress pattern, then you can always go back to the instructions mentioned above and make your own. You can always get creative with the pattern but do make sure that you make proper measurements. Have fun stitching!

References

1.
A-line (clothing) - Wikipedia
An A-line skirt is a skirt that is fitted at the hips and gradually widens towards the hem, giving the impression of the shape of a capital letter A. The term is also used to describe dresses and coats with a similar shape.
2.
A-Line Dress
The term first entered the vocabulary of fashion via the couturier Christian Dior’s collection for Spring 1955, which he named the “A-Line." In the 1950s, the international fashion press looked to Paris, and Dior in particular, to set the direction fashion would take each season. Dior obliged by organizing each new collection around a specific idea, and giving each a name that described or evoked that idea.
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