When designing patterns I always try to make them versatile and easy to adapt, the Zoe dress & top is one of my favourite patterns to adapt. It’s a super simple straight-cut dress with high bust darts and a straight neckline. The pattern has also been updated to cover all 8 sizes.
A great way to adapt a pattern is to add ruffles – well at least I think they’re always a fun addition! So I decided to add big ruffley shoulders to this version of a Zoe Top, made from a soft polka dot linen.
It takes a little bit of pattern making, but no specific skills are needed just a ruler, pencil, and a measuring tape. All the steps are detailed below, but if you have any questions feel free to send me an email or DM on Instagram.
It can be easily adapted by placing ruffles at different angles, cutting the ruffle as a spiral so there are no gathers, or making the ruffle longer or shorter for a more or less ruffley look! You could also apply the style to the dress version of the pattern or lengthen the bottom ruffle for a gathered skirt look. The possibilities are pretty endless.
The below images are all a4 sized so you can easily print them out if you’d like to reference them. If you have enjoyed this how-to then please consider donating to my Ko-fi, or giving me a follow on Instagram.
Let me know what pattern you want to see re-sized next!