Need to help to find or draft a dress pattern in this shape ( it's finally time to start working on dream dress pininterest board)
I’m trying to find or draft a pattern for a dress similar like in the photos. I really want to make a dress that has this fitted, snatched hourglass waist element with that amount of flare for the skirt.
I’ve been searching for a pattern, but I haven’t had any luck so far. The ones I found on Etsy that looked similar seemed to be AI-generated, and I honestly don’t trust them. I’ve also spent hours going through Simplicity, Burda, McCall’s, Butterick, New Look, and Vogue patterns, but I still haven’t found what I’m looking for.
I'm thinking of drafting it but I’m not sure, what is the best approach to get that kind of shaping.
Would it be better to use:
- two long darts running from underbust to hip (so the pattern will be constructed from 1 front piece and 2 back pieces), or
- princess seams (either from the neckline or the armhole)?
Would choosing long darts versus princess seams make a noticeable difference in achieving this silhouette or it does not matter ? Would the princess seams make the skirt more flared than the darts ?
Or could you please recommend a pattern like this if you know one ?
Posted Dec 6, 2025, 6:26 PM UTC