Style Arc Sewing Pattern - Montana Midi Dress (Sizes 04-16)

Great pattern, for a lovely comfortable dress. Pockets and liners bodice make this feel better to wear than other similar dresses. The instructions are fairly limited but there are some diagrams and the company do online videos available to help with the self lined bodice. Easy to get a very professional finish, I’ll be sewing a few of these.

I bought this pattern as I have admired ladies wearing this type of dress but couldn’t find any in the shops. I thought the price was comparable to other manufacturers. It was the first time I had used a pattern made from heavy paper instead of tissue. It means it didn’t tear like the tissue patterns. The pattern is very easy to use. A back and a front for the bodice and a gathered skirt. I have read that people have had trouble with the instructions and I agree that if you were lining the bodice the instructions are a bit weird. I didn’t line the bodice as I was using a 100% cotton fabric. Instead I bound the neck and shoulders with bias binding. Easy and worked very well. The dress itself is loose fitting so if you like fitted clothes may not be for you. It could be described as a Buffet Dress. A new word I learnt from Sewing Bee!

Had not used an arc pattern before and was shocked by price but bought it anyway. The instructions are written in a style I’m not familiar with, as they are French (translated to English). However, having taken the time to study them it was fine. I did also check a couple of bits online which helped. I also think the sizes are on the small size. Finally, I’m not a very experienced sewer, so did struggle with the pockets, but I think that was me not the pattern! They have some funky designs so will buy another pattern before long.

Liked the paper pattern. More durable than tissue paper. The pattern is for a double bodiced dress but the fabric amounts are for single bodice so beware. Needs more diagrams as the shoulder area is fidly. I am not inexperienced in dressmaking and it tested my patience. On the plus side it does include the paper parts to cut bindings for the neck and sleeves area if you decide to make a single bodice.

Great pattern company

Yeet the instructions you don't need them, once they are gone, this is easier than any of the big 4's patterns. Look at the seam allowances on the pattern. Anything on the sides is a 1cm seam allowance Neck and arms are 5mm seam allowance youtube 'burrito method' and use that for the bodice. you don't have to understitch the neck because of how small the seam allowance is, so if you don't know what that is you can skip this step, you can also skip pockets if you wish Youtube 'gathering' to make the skirt the same size as the bodice. Sew a line of stitches where you will be folding up for your hem, it will enable you to iron it perfectly and keep the line dead on.

Easy to use. Video if struggle with bodice. Love it. Much easier to use paper pattern

Haven’t used this type of pattern before. Not very helpful instructions, non standard seam allowance mentioned in small print. Really like the dress so will give it a go good job I have some experience or dress making.

This is a very pretty dress full comfort. I love that style, can be made short or long with a variety of fabrics. I like it.

Not the fastest pattern to make, but certainly beautiful and functional. I made a sample out of muslin first to work the kinks out, intending to make several more. On all models, I raised the neckline about 1/2 to 3/4 inch. Otherwise, the neckline would have gapped and shown more skin than I'd like. No. 1 was a size too big. For No. 2, I sized down to a 14 which fit better. But it looked a bit boxy. My next three versions, I nipped the bottom of the bodice about 1/2 to 3/4 inch on each side seam, and gathered the skirt accordingly. Gives it a little more of a waist. Granted it's still a voluminous dress. You can make gathering the skirt easier by marking the midpoints of the bodice and skirt. I had trouble figuring out how to compose the lined bodice; couldn't wrap my brain around it. The instructions are minimal, but if you follow them, it works. After sewing lining and bodice together, pull the shoulders through and pin or baste the shoulder seam. (For each side, you pull the back strap through the front, or vice versa.) Pull back out to make sure you got it right. (I had to deconstruct one bodice entirely after all seams clipped--don't make this mistake!) I don't have the skill to write up precise directions. Just believe, but verify. I'll try to upload some photos but the site isn't giving the option now. Each dress took me at least 10 hours (with lined bodice and finished seams). The sample took me about 16 hours. You could save a lot of time by not using the lining and (gasp) leaving off the pockets. IMO, these are the features that make the dress spectacular. I used printed cotton for three dresses and barry linen for another. The linen is exquisite but heavy, won't be something I can travel with. For future models, maybe I will use lightweight linen to line the bodice as it dries fast on sweaty days. The cut of the bodice seems like it will camouflage perspiration, esp if you wear a camisole. For a big dress, it's graceful and elegant and totally comfortable. Love.

So love this pattern company. Quality paper, multi-sized, easy to trace-off and great finished-measurement chart. Be aware that seam allowences are different from American patterns and directions are a bit sparse: Adequate, but not like the detailed US pattern instructions. I love the minimal styling and versatility of the designs. So grateful that Amazon is carrying this company!

I liked the pattern as soon as I saw it. It seems like a simple, but stylish pattern.

Great pattern multiple sizes with easy to follow instructions.