Bellbird Dress

A pull on dress, the Bellbird has featured deep gathered dolman sleeves.  Super smart or casual and very much a beginners sewing pattern.  With both V neck and round neck options this is a sister dress to the Bellbird top with a fuller bodice to allow for shaping of the hips, placement of the pockets and extended length (and 2 style options). The optional pockets work well in more structured fabrics (like linen and cotton) but are best left off for lighter and more delicate fabrics (like polyester crepes).

Beautifully cool in 100% cotton, linen or rayon/viscose, the dress is professionally finished with a simple neck facing.

STYLE OPTIONS:

• STYLE A (Beginner)
  
• STYLE B (Gathered high waist - Confident beginner)

Dress the Bellbird up or down choosing your shoes and accessories to set the mood.

PATTERN FEATURES:

• Deep gathered dolman sleeves
  
• Inseam side pockets
  
• Loose-fitting and designed to sit just above the knee
• Sizes NZ/AU 6-24 | US 2-20 (each size bundle has 4 sizes - please refer "Size & Fitting tab"
• Print only your size (layers option)

Share your makes on Instagram & Facebook tagging #TSRBellbirdDress and @thesewingrevival

FABRIC

Please refer to the FABRIC REQUIREMENT CHART as one of the last images on this product listing. You can magnify this image if viewing it on a mobile phone whilst in a fabric store.

WOVEN fabrics: Most light to mid-weight woven fabrics will suit this dress.
Linen, cotton and linen/cotton blends are highly recommended for this pattern.

Rayon, silk, silk & cotton blends, tencel and even jersey knits.

DIFFICULTY

Total beginner sewers can make this dress (we recommend leaving off the pockets if it is your very first dress) Rated a 2/5 for difficulty. No closures (zips or buttons). Skill learnt: Inserting elastic and neck facings.

 SIZE & FITTING

This is a loose-fitting garment. If you prefer it to be a little less "roomy" or you are "in-between" sizes then we suggest you err on the smaller size. 

Model wears size 10 (NZ/AU) and is 171 cm tall.

Each purchase comes with 4 sizes (please refer to the last image for size chart and international size comparisons):

Small - (NZ/AU/UK 6-8-10-12  | US 2-4-6-8)
Medium - (NZ/AU/UK 10-12-14-16  | US 6-8-10-12)
Large - (NZ/AU/UK 14-16-18-20  | US 10-12-14-16)
X-Large - (NZ/AU/UK 18-20-22-24  | US 14-16-18-20)

WHAT DO I GET WITH MY PURCHASE?

Please note you are purchasing a digital pattern that will be sent directly to your email inbox after payment. You can print this pattern at home on A4 or US letter-sized paper or take it to a print shop for large scale printing (AO size). *You will not receive a hard copy printed pattern.*

Instant download available immediately after checkout includes:

1. Instructions

2. PAH Pattern file (PAH=Print at home)
For printing in A4 or US Letter on a home printer. Printing at home is the most cost-effective, and sticking your pattern tiles together to make your full size pattern is easy. Further information for printing at home can be found in our Resources section here. 

3. AO Pattern file
AO is a large scale file designed to be printed at a Print Copy Shop. You cannot print this on your home printer as it is too big. If you choose to use this large file you will pay extra to have it printed but you do not have to stick anything together.

You can use the ADOBE LAYERS FEATURE to open the PAH pattern file and print only the size you need (and eliminate the "noise" of the unwanted sizes). You can also use the URL and bookmark links within the file to quickly access information and support. Download Adobe Reader for free (for Windows and Mac) here.

PATTERN UPDATES

March 2018 - pattern release

July 2024 - added Style B (high waist gather option). The latest file names will have "V2" included in the title.