Turn heads in your handmade dress! Etta sewing pattern by Tilly and the Buttons

Etta Dress

Name: Etta Dress
Brand: Tilly and the Buttons
SKU: 1016D
Price: 13.5 GBP
Availability: InStock

PDF Sewing Pattern

£13.50

Tax included.

Pattern Format

PDF Sewing Pattern

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DRESS TO IMPRESS

Create an elegant handmade dress with the Etta dress sewing pattern. With its carefully shaped bodice, choice of necklines and beautifully tailored details, Etta is a versatile dress that works just as well for special occasions as it does for a polished workwear wardrobe.

Bust, waist and shoulder darts shape the dress for a defined silhouette, while the invisible centre-back zip creates a neat finish. Choose lined cap sleeves or darted three-quarter-length sleeves, then select a high back or a V-back neckline. Optional details, including a collar and faux pocket flaps, let you personalise your dress to suit your style.

Wear Etta with heels and statement accessories for a special occasion, or pair it with smart flats for a sophisticated everyday look. Add your favourite fabric to create a dress that feels uniquely yours.

PATTERN FEATURES:

Shaped bodice with bust, waist and shoulder darts
Invisible centre-back zip fastening
Choice of lined cap sleeves or darted three-quarter-length sleeves
Choice of high back or V-back neckline
Optional collar
Optional faux pocket flaps
Kick pleat for ease of movement

The Etta dress is a PDF pattern only. This pattern is not available as a printed pattern.

ONLINE WORKSHOP - Want some extra help sewing Etta? Sign up to our online video workshop - Sew Your Own Knockout Dress - and Tilly will take you through inserting an invisible zip, shaping with darts, setting in sleeves and more!

SKILL LEVEL - Confident beginners

SIZE RANGE - UK 6-20 (US 2-16 / EUR 34-48)

MODEL SIZE - Vissolela wears size 6-7 (UK 16-18)

SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

Size range: UK 6-20 / US 2-16 / EUR 34-48 / AUS 6-20

SIZE	BUST	WAIST	HIP
1 UK 6 / US 2 / EUR 34 / AUS 6	76cm (30in)	61cm (24in)	84cm (33in)
2 UK 8 / US 4 / EUR 36 / AUS 8	81cm (32in)	66cm (26in)	89cm (35in)
3 UK 10 / US 6 / EUR 38 / AUS 10	86.5cm (34in)	71cm (28in)	94cm (37in)
4 UK 12 / US 8 / EUR 40 / AUS 12	91.5cm (36in)	76cm (30in)	99cm (39in)
5 UK 14 / US 10 / EUR 42 / AUS 14	96.5cm (38in)	81cm (32in)	104cm (41in)
6 UK 16 / US 12 / EUR 44 / AUS 16	101.5cm (40in)	86.5cm (34in)	109cm (43in)
7 UK 18 / US 14 / EUR 46 / AUS 18	106.5cm (42in)	91.5cm (36in)	114cm (45in)
8 UK 20 / US 16 / EUR 48 / AUS 20	112cm (44in)	96.5cm (38in)	119.5cm (47in)

Check the sewing pattern size range before buying.

Supplies

Fabric (see below)
Matching thread
0.6m (¾yd) interfacing
56cm (22in) invisible zip
Hook and eye
For the cap-sleeve version: 1.2m (1⅜yd) of 10–13mm (⅜–½in) single-fold bias binding
Optional: 2 x 1–2cm (½–¾in) buttons for faux pockets
Sewing machine and basic tools, including invisible zip foot

Fabric Suggestions

Medium-weight, non-drapey fabrics, preferably with stretch for comfort. Try stretch woven cotton, sateen, triple crêpe, crêpe-back satin, ponte di roma or jacquard knits. The cap-sleeve version would also work nicely in brocade.

Fabric Requirements

150cm (60in) wide

Cap-sleeve version: 2m (2¼yd)
Three-quarter-sleeve version: 2.3m (2⅝yd)

115cm (45in) wide

Cap-sleeve version:

Sizes 1–4: 2.3m (2⅝yd)
Sizes 5–8: 3.1m (3⅜yd)

Three-quarter-sleeve version:

Sizes 1–4: 2.8m (3¼yd)
Sizes 5–8: 3.4m (3¾yd)

Use 0.5m (⅝yd) less fabric for collarless versions.

PDF Pattern Only

You will receive an email immediately after purchase with a link to download your files. Need help getting started? Learn how to use digital sewing patterns. This digital version includes:

Single-layer PDF files – All sizes are included on one sheet (sizes cannot be hidden).
Not suitable for projector sewing – This pattern does not include projector files. See our projector-friendly patterns.
Multiple print options – Print at home on A4 or US Letter paper (using a laptop or desktop computer), or use the A0 copyshop files for professional printing.
Correct scaling – You’ll need Adobe Reader (free to download) to print at the correct scale.

GET INSPIRED #SewingEtta

Nice Sillhouette

Over all, I am very happy with the dress and made two. The instructions are very clear and for as long as I have been sewing, I have not come across clearer instructions for making kick pleat vents look this good.
I did have to do things that weren't listed in the instructions to get a better fit and functionality (adding extra zippers, adding pockets, understitching). I found that the one part which I did not alter was not to my liking: the hip contour. The sides stick out and look a little cartoonish on me although I followed the guide for finding the correct size. It looks this way both on the dress that I did make according to the regular instructions and on the variant where I made pockets.

Hi Rosalyn, thanks so much for your lovely review! It’s so great to hear you enjoyed sewing with our instructions and have already made two Ettas, yay!

We all have unique bodies, and sometimes it does take a bit more fitting to get the best result for your shape than what’s suggested within the pattern instructions. We do have an extensive fitting blog on our website to support you with the Etta pattern, and the instructions also mention understitching where required. The design isn’t intended to include pockets in order to keep the sleek fit, but of course you’re welcome to hack it and add them if that’s something you prefer. ☺️ You might also be interested in our Bodice Fitting online workshop if you’d like extra support with fitting techniques and pattern adjustments. Happy sewing! Virginija x

Great pattern and workshop

This was my very first dress I made. I purchased Tilly's workshop (knockout dress) which included this pattern. She showed how to fit the dress and I learnt so much from the course.

New Favorite

This retro style can be dressed up or down depending on fabric choice which makes it very versatile! The instructions are straightforward and simple to follow. This was my first experience with a kick pleat, and the instructions guided me through the process with ease. I will be making many more of these in the future!

Wow Lisa, your Etta dress is gorgeous. Thank you for sharing. Team Buttons x

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