The Origami Dress and Top
PDF sewing pattern
£14.00
(VAT is added to all EU orders)
SIZES: 8-18
SEWING ABILITY: MEDIUM
A deceptively simple style to make and exceptionally flattering to wear.
Designed to be made in stretch jersey fabrics. The asymmetric twist at the centre front, cleverly drapes and falls in soft folds, while the drop-shoulder creates a subtly elegant batwing effect.
Options are given for long or short sleeves or no sleeves for a capped sleeved effect
Here is my first version of the top from the Origami pattern. It is so easy to make and it hangs beautifully. It's a great pattern and I plan to make more tops and the dress version in different types of Jersey.
I am delighted with my long-sleeved Origami Top because I had never sewn with a stretch knit type fabric before. I found the design to be deceptively simple and fun to sew together, it only took me a couple of hours. I used a lovely springy and drapey viscose jersey from #Dragonfly Fabrics and an ordinary sewing machine. It was simple to sew and although an experienced dressmaker I am glad I followed the Hints and Tips advice of practicing with the off-cuts - this was essential, as was changing to a ball point needle which made all the difference. I used a narrow zig zag for the seams and a 3-step zig zag for the hems because these worked best when I tested a variety of stitches. I have since invested in a twin ball point needle to hem my future kit projects as I think it will work better, as on reflection, my hem stitching is a little dense and not as neat as I intended at the overlap points. I wanted to take time on getting the sizing right, I’m a 6 foot tall pear shape with long skinny arms and I normally buy a UK size 16 in a shop bought long sleeved top. However, after comparing my measurements with the chart I was between a 10 and 12 bust and a 14 hip so took the advice given and cut the pattern out using size 12 for the main but graduated the side seam from the bust to the size 14 at the hip. The sizing advice was spot-on for me and I will not need to make any further adjustments next time. I also added 3ins to the sleeve length in the designated area (and trued the sleeve lines as it was a big adjustment) and added 2 inches to the length, these are standard length adjustments for me and I was able to double check using the size chart on the pattern envelope. The hardest task for me for a first-time make with a stretch knit was figuring out where the straight grain is without an obvious selvage edge to tell - I nearly cut it out sideways by mistake! NB I discovered the grain line is the line the vertical ribs take, thank goodness for the internet! So take your time if it is your first go with knits, it is worth it, I’ve washed this top a lot and it hasn’t twisted. The other thing I learned was to draw round the pattern pieces rather than pinning and cutting with the pattern attached, it is easier to get a smooth cutting line and to avoid taking little nicks out of the seam allowance (important with only a 1cm seam allowance). I have already purchased some viscose wool jersey to make another top and have planned to make the dress version with some textured jersey. I can see me using this pattern a lot as it only took a couple of hours to sew – it would be even faster with an overlocker, I have one but was too wary to use it first go, but I will certainly use it next time and realise the benefit of the narrow seam allowance. I reckon now I’ve made my personal fit adjustments and know more about what I’m doing with knits, that the top or dress could be made from scratch in a morning – fabulous!
Jackie, UkLove the simplicity of this pattern. So quick and simple though it does not appear so to others! Here in a silk. The one area that I found needed some adjustment was the back neck which I had to enlarge for this fabric.
Here is my first version of the top from the Origami pattern. It is so easy to make and it hangs beautifully. It's a great pattern and I plan to make more tops and the dress version in different types of Jersey.
I am delighted with my long-sleeved Origami Top because I had never sewn with a stretch knit type fabric before. I found the design to be deceptively simple and fun to sew together, it only took me a couple of hours. I used a lovely springy and drapey viscose jersey from #Dragonfly Fabrics and an ordinary sewing machine. It was simple to sew and although an experienced dressmaker I am glad I followed the Hints and Tips advice of practicing with the off-cuts - this was essential, as was changing to a ball point needle which made all the difference. I used a narrow zig zag for the seams and a 3-step zig zag for the hems because these worked best when I tested a variety of stitches. I have since invested in a twin ball point needle to hem my future kit projects as I think it will work better, as on reflection, my hem stitching is a little dense and not as neat as I intended at the overlap points. I wanted to take time on getting the sizing right, I’m a 6 foot tall pear shape with long skinny arms and I normally buy a UK size 16 in a shop bought long sleeved top. However, after comparing my measurements with the chart I was between a 10 and 12 bust and a 14 hip so took the advice given and cut the pattern out using size 12 for the main but graduated the side seam from the bust to the size 14 at the hip. The sizing advice was spot-on for me and I will not need to make any further adjustments next time. I also added 3ins to the sleeve length in the designated area (and trued the sleeve lines as it was a big adjustment) and added 2 inches to the length, these are standard length adjustments for me and I was able to double check using the size chart on the pattern envelope. The hardest task for me for a first-time make with a stretch knit was figuring out where the straight grain is without an obvious selvage edge to tell - I nearly cut it out sideways by mistake! NB I discovered the grain line is the line the vertical ribs take, thank goodness for the internet! So take your time if it is your first go with knits, it is worth it, I’ve washed this top a lot and it hasn’t twisted. The other thing I learned was to draw round the pattern pieces rather than pinning and cutting with the pattern attached, it is easier to get a smooth cutting line and to avoid taking little nicks out of the seam allowance (important with only a 1cm seam allowance). I have already purchased some viscose wool jersey to make another top and have planned to make the dress version with some textured jersey. I can see me using this pattern a lot as it only took a couple of hours to sew – it would be even faster with an overlocker, I have one but was too wary to use it first go, but I will certainly use it next time and realise the benefit of the narrow seam allowance. I reckon now I’ve made my personal fit adjustments and know more about what I’m doing with knits, that the top or dress could be made from scratch in a morning – fabulous!
Jackie, UkLove the simplicity of this pattern. So quick and simple though it does not appear so to others! Here in a silk. The one area that I found needed some adjustment was the back neck which I had to enlarge for this fabric.
Here is my first version of the top from the Origami pattern. It is so easy to make and it hangs beautifully. It's a great pattern and I plan to make more tops and the dress version in different types of Jersey.
I am delighted with my long-sleeved Origami Top because I had never sewn with a stretch knit type fabric before. I found the design to be deceptively simple and fun to sew together, it only took me a couple of hours. I used a lovely springy and drapey viscose jersey from #Dragonfly Fabrics and an ordinary sewing machine. It was simple to sew and although an experienced dressmaker I am glad I followed the Hints and Tips advice of practicing with the off-cuts - this was essential, as was changing to a ball point needle which made all the difference. I used a narrow zig zag for the seams and a 3-step zig zag for the hems because these worked best when I tested a variety of stitches. I have since invested in a twin ball point needle to hem my future kit projects as I think it will work better, as on reflection, my hem stitching is a little dense and not as neat as I intended at the overlap points. I wanted to take time on getting the sizing right, I’m a 6 foot tall pear shape with long skinny arms and I normally buy a UK size 16 in a shop bought long sleeved top. However, after comparing my measurements with the chart I was between a 10 and 12 bust and a 14 hip so took the advice given and cut the pattern out using size 12 for the main but graduated the side seam from the bust to the size 14 at the hip. The sizing advice was spot-on for me and I will not need to make any further adjustments next time. I also added 3ins to the sleeve length in the designated area (and trued the sleeve lines as it was a big adjustment) and added 2 inches to the length, these are standard length adjustments for me and I was able to double check using the size chart on the pattern envelope. The hardest task for me for a first-time make with a stretch knit was figuring out where the straight grain is without an obvious selvage edge to tell - I nearly cut it out sideways by mistake! NB I discovered the grain line is the line the vertical ribs take, thank goodness for the internet! So take your time if it is your first go with knits, it is worth it, I’ve washed this top a lot and it hasn’t twisted. The other thing I learned was to draw round the pattern pieces rather than pinning and cutting with the pattern attached, it is easier to get a smooth cutting line and to avoid taking little nicks out of the seam allowance (important with only a 1cm seam allowance). I have already purchased some viscose wool jersey to make another top and have planned to make the dress version with some textured jersey. I can see me using this pattern a lot as it only took a couple of hours to sew – it would be even faster with an overlocker, I have one but was too wary to use it first go, but I will certainly use it next time and realise the benefit of the narrow seam allowance. I reckon now I’ve made my personal fit adjustments and know more about what I’m doing with knits, that the top or dress could be made from scratch in a morning – fabulous!
Jackie, UkLove the simplicity of this pattern. So quick and simple though it does not appear so to others! Here in a silk. The one area that I found needed some adjustment was the back neck which I had to enlarge for this fabric.
Fabric and Trim Suggestions
Light to medium weight jersey fabrics including cotton, viscose or silk with some Lycra or Elastane content.
The sleeveless version can also be made in some woven fabrics if they have stretch and fluidity including crinkle fabrics.
Digital pattern formats
Our digital patterns are immediately downloadable with PDF files for AT HOME printing on A4 or US paper sizes and COPY SHOP printing on A0 sheets. Read more in this Journal post.
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The PDF files should be opened using Adobe Acrobat Reader.
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The patterns are multi-sized and all sizes print on the At Home and Copy Shop versions.
Digital magazine formats
Our digital magazines with an accompanying pattern are immediately downloadable. The digital files are supplied in PDF format and the pattern is printable AT HOME on A4 or US paper sizes.