Dila has some fun sewing techniques in store for you. There is the back slit with button closure, the bust gathers and of course the sleeve pleats which are a real eye-catcher. Sewing pleasure guaranteed with this pattern!

Dila can be made into a dress or a blouse. Here are some of her main features: 

• Choose between a long lantern sleeve with decorative pleats, a short sleeve with one pleat or a sleeveless version. 
• 3 different neckline options: round, square and v-neck. 
• Back slit with button closure. 
• 3 length options: a blouse, a short dress or a long dress. 
• Bust gathers with decorative trim. 

You can see all 27 variants in the 'variants' tab below.

Psst ... Did you know Dila has a little sister called Didi? Sew a kids version and an adult version an you can go twinning! 

Fabric choice

Choose light to medium-weight fabrics that can gather well. Thick fabrics are not suitable for this pattern. Easy to sew fabrics such as poplin cotton, linen or a thin woolen fabric are good choices, especially since they will hold the structure of the sleeve. Supple fabrics like viscose are also ideal for a more draped effect, especially for the short-sleeve and sleeveless versions. The long lantern sleeve will flow a little more with a supple fabric.

WE RECOMMEND WASHING YOUR FABRIC BEFORE CUTTING.

Think about the environment and choose deadstock fabrics if you can. That way you give these leftover fabrics from fashion brands a second life and they don’t end up in landfills. We source our quality deadstock designer fabrics at The Fabric Sales.

Variants

This pattern gives you the opportunity to make not 1, but several garments. Here is an overview of all the variants you can make with this set of pattern parts.

Long dress with long sleeves

Long dress with short sleeve

Long sleeveless dress 

Short dress with long sleeves

Short dress with short sleeves 

Short sleeveless dress

Long sleeve blouse

Short sleeve blouse

Sleeveless blouse

Level

This pattern is rated between 2 and 3 dots in terms of difficulty.

A 2 dot variant would be a good project for less experienced sewists, who enjoy learning and trying out different techniques. With this pattern you will learn how to make gathers, apply bias tape, make a back slit with button closure and set in a sleeve. 
If you already have a little more experience, then you will definitely enjoy stitching the pleats and shape of the lantern sleeve. 

Fit

Dila strategically alternates between roomy and accomodating. There is plenty of ease at the bust, waist and hips, while at the same time we ensured a sophisticated silhouette by leaving the shoulder points in the right place and using a lantern sleeve to bring the wide long sleeves down to an elegant wrist cuff. The long sleeves are meant to fall on the wrist. BE sure to measure the pattern if (like our model) you have long arms. 

The short sleeve has a wide sleeve hem with a decorative pleat. 
On the sleeveless version, the armhole is sufficiently roomy.

Notions

Fabric requirements 

The fabric requirements chart shows how much fabric you will need for all variants, calculated on a standard fabric width of 140 cm - 56".

Finished measurements

Dila has 12 cm (4 3/4") ease at the bust and 64 cm (25 1/4") at the hips compared to the size chart.

For the round and v-neckline the finished back length is taken from the back of the neckline to the hem. The square neckline is 2 cm lower at the back.

Why Our Products Stand Out

Our products are designed to combine ease of use with high quality. What truly sets us apart:

• Full-color pattern sheets: Each pattern sheet is clear and easy to read, with separate colors and line types for each size. This allows your customers to instantly identify the correct size, reducing mistakes and saving time.
• Richly illustrated instruction booklets: Our instruction booklets are full color and feature step-by-step guidance with colorful drawings. They are intuitive to follow, even for beginners.
• Professional and user-friendly: The visual design of our materials makes the learning process simpler, more efficient, and enjoyable, providing a positive experience for your customers.

In short, with our full-color pattern sheets and instruction booklets, you offer your customers a product that is both professional and practical – a true added value for any creative project.