Do you follow Studio Faro? They’re a design and patternmaking studio and school, and over the years designer Anita McAdam has posted a number of pattern puzzless on the associated well-suited blog. These are illustrations of pattern shapes that come together to form a garment – and it’s often not obvious how they come together! It’s always fascinated me to see how two-dimensional shapes join together into three-dimensional garments. While there have always been instructions for drafting these pattern puzzles yourself, Anita has recently turned some of them into pdf sewing patterns that can be purchased. I have been eyeing off her drape back dress for years, so quickly bought the pdf pattern when it became available.

Unlike the tunic I shared in my last blog post, this was an incredibly fast garment to make! There is only one pattern piece, cut twice.  The line drawings are really useful in understanding how this pattern works.

From the pattern website: the Drape Back Tunic is the simplest of patterns with the most stylish outcome.  It’s a one-piece pattern with one size only and very clear markings to alter the generous fit of this tunic.  Cut in a jersey, I easily fit this little gem on my size 20 dummy in the workroom.  And at the same time I wear my own jersey tunics regularly with skinny jeans, leggings or a pencil skirt.  This PDF has one size only with a 1 Pair cut for the complete garment and some volume and length alteration instructions included in the pattern.  You’ll be able to moderate the amount of fullness in your garment according to your own taste.  You can checkout the Pattern Puzzle post about this design on the blog.

I sewed this in a fabulous printed knit that was in stash – if my memory serves me correctly it came from one of the little fabric shops in Sydney Road, Brunswick. Even after making this dress I have plenty left! It’s poly/spandex, veering toward a medium wieght rather than a light weight. Very easy to sew, as it wasn’t too slippery. Construction was entirely on the sewing machine. I actually sewed it together in breaks between Google Meet parent-teacher interviews for Clare!

Even the hems were sewn with a simple straight stitch on the sewing machine. I do have a few comments on the sizing. I’m somewhere around an Australian size 12 to 14, with relatively small hips, and I’m 158cm tall (5’2″). This is a one size pattern, and I didn’t make any alterations. There are lines very clearly marked on the pattern to show you how to alter the size to your preference. I think it’s actually just right for me as it is!  The website also notes the following: This drape back tunic is best cut in a light, drapey, one-way stretch knit fabric. The seam allowances are generous at 1.25cm (½”) so there is enough fabric to finish the neckline and armholes. The wider seam allowance will also be useful if you cut this tunic in woven fabrics (e.g. light weight cotton voile, light silks and some rayons). It’s home and industry ready with a flexible fit that makes it so easy to wear…..The first order of business is to select your fabric for this elegant tunic. I’d recommend soft drape knits for your first sample. That could be either one or two-way stretch knits although the elastane found in two-way stretch is not needed in this design. And I did have some success using a light cotton voile keeping in mind a petticoat would be needed. And I’m just dying to try it out in a silk crepe de chine!

This type of style is right up my alley. No waist definition, interesting drape, comfortable. When I posted it on Instagram a couple of people commented that the patternless, zero-waste Envelope Dress by Cris Wood was very similar. It looks to me to be very much the same type of garment, although the Envelope dress is designed for woven fabrics, and the armholes are constructed differently. The Studio Faro drape back dress design has been around for years, and I am pleased to see these less conventionally shaped styles reaching a wider audience.

Unsurprisingly, I will be sewing this pattern again (and again). I agree that choosing a fabric with drape is super important. If I sew it in a woven I will probably upsize it a little more. I think that it would make a perfect holiday wardrobe for a warm climate.  I look forward to experimenting with the pattern length and width as well.