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Customer Reviews
Made just the pleated skirt for a wedding. Tried the dress earlier, but it made me look dowdy. Made some changes to the skirt (didn't want a seam down the front middle, so cut one of the front panels in half, and stitched each half to the sides of the other front panel, making 2 front side panels and one front middle panel; made the waistband 3" wide (total of 7" with SA and fold over)). Like the fit and length (added 14" to the length of the tea skirt). From cotton poplin (something easy to wash and care for); could have been from something "fancier", like silk or taffeta.
I knew the moment I held up my first Upton gored maxi skirt - made from an old wool blanket - that this pattern would be a constant companion. I was brand new to sewing and had made exactly two other projects when I decided to make a wool blanket skirt to keep myself from freezing constantly in the winter. The instructions are so well done and thorough (though I laugh at myself now because not a single part of that skirt was pressed or understiched). I made two more. I got compliments on my "vintage" skirts. I made a dress version in bright plaid and got more compliments. I then made a gown for a wedding in wool gabardine and when I modeled it for my husband (wonky invisible zip and all) he said it was the most beautiful dress I owned, far outshining any ready-to-wear clothing in my closet. This pattern made me a better sewist, a more confident sewist and gave me peace in being able to dress my body as it is and not have to make 5-10 different adjustments for my belly and bust. And that was all before I even learned how to do sleeves.
I used to want to buy every single fit and flare dress pattern I saw, now, after a year of experimenting, I will instead admire the inspiring pattern, note the details, and then make a similar dress from the Upton pattern - and it will fit every time.
Fabulous dress! The Upton Dress pattern is a total game-changer and now firmly the core of my pattern lineup. I can’t wait to make more. I had some lovely fabric waiting for the right dress, and Upton more than rose to the occasion.
I took my time with this one: made a muslin, tweaked the fit (lengthened the bodice slightly), made up a wearable toile (without the waistband and that worked too!), and then dove into my final version—and wow, what a payoff. The result is a beautifully tailored, incredibly flattering dress that feels just as good as it looks.
Admittedly, I was a little skeptical of the higher waistline at first, but it completely won me over. It hits at exactly the right spot for a balanced, silhouette. The bodice skims just right, the skirt flows, and the whole thing comes together like a dream with pockets.
This is one of those rare patterns that makes you feel like an expert sewist and a style icon at the same time. Already dreaming of my next one (or three). Brave, Upton!
I have been hoarding a Beauty & the Beast themed cotton fabric for nearly a decade because I couldn't find a pattern to let the fabric shine. Finally, I landed on the Upton and knew it was my unicorn. I have a freakishly long side torso (12.5" but I'm only 5'5"), but adjusting this pattern was a breeze. The instructions were very clear and the dress constructed beautifully. I got dozens of compliments on it on my Disney World trip and I've already had three requests for custom dresses using the Upton for friends. One of the best experiences I've had using a pdf pattern, and I've been a pattern tester for several small indie brands over the years.
Enfin des patrons pour poitrine forte. Merci.
I made the dress with a square neckline and pleated skirt in silk taffeta. I interlined the bodice with silk organza, moved the zipper to the side seam, made a full lining, and modified the pockets to hang from the waist. I hung the lining by hand. The diagrams and instructions helped make all this straightforward. The dress is beautiful, although next time I might lengthen the the bodice a bit. I'm going to make a twin to this dress in linen. For linen I will line just the bodice and not interline, but the linen will have a side zipper (I don't know why more patterns don't have side zippers, since they look nicer and are easier to get in and out).
I really like that this pattern has many options. I will be using it quite a bit.
The only annoying thing about this pattern is the 1/2" seam allowance, and I deducted a star for that. With silk taffeta I used french seams (as I will for linen as well). 5/8 works far better for french seams and it's better marked on ALL THREE of my sewing machines, as .5 and 1.0 cm and 1/4" and 3/8". 5/8 is lets you switch to metric (where all the math is easier) more easily if that is your preference. I just don't understand why so many modern patterns are printed with a 1/2 inch seam allowance. I added 1/8 of an inch to all seam allowances and it was a total pest.
