The New EasyMake Pattern is Here – Meet ASTER


The latest addition to the EasyMake line is here — Let me tell you about it.

Aster is a grown-on sleeve dress with two bodice variations:

  • View A features a long dolman sleeve bodice
  • View B offers a closer-fitting cap sleeve bodice

 Design Features

  1. A neck-hugging built-up back neckline that flows into a surplice front.
  2. Box pleats at the front and knife pleats at the back that creates a draped fit that cinch into the waistline.
  3. A flared 3/8-circle skirt that hits just above the ankle (tea length) — a perfect middle ground between a slim A-line and a full circle skirt.
  4. A fitted waist and close-fitting wrist, adding shape and balance to the silhouette.

The one word that kept coming up before and during testing? Elegant.

 

Sizing & Fit

Aster is available in 9 sizes, drafted for:

  • Full bust: 32–48" (81–122 cm) drafted for a B-cup, but it works for up to a D-cup with little to no adjustment.
  • Waist: 26–42" (66–106.7 cm)

As with all SewExplicit patterns, Aster is drafted for a height of 5'5" to 5'8" (165–172 cm). Taller or shorter figures may need to make height adjustments to the bodice and skirt pattern pieces. Guidance on how to do so is included in the illustrated instruction booklet (with diagrams and not photographs).

 I should also mention that the front neckline is a somewhat deep Vee and you may want to wear a pin/brooch to hold it in place or wear a camisole underneath.

 

Recommended Fabric

  • Medium-weight knit fabrics (approx. 220–290 GSM)

  • Moderate stretch

  • Elastane/Lycra/Spandex content

  • Excellent stretch recovery and good drape

  • 30–40% crosswise stretch. This means: A 10 cm strip of fabric should stretch to 13–14 cm and return fully to 10 cm when released.

 Knit velvet is an excellent choice — it really brings out Aster’s elegance.

The stretch and weight of your fabric will impact the fit. With the same size, Heavier fabric will fit tighter, while lighter and slinkier fabric will fit more loosely.

Using heavier-weight knits or knits with less stretch may require sizing up.

Using lighter-weight, slinky knits or knits with more stretch may require sizing down or additional seam intake.

Check out This YouTube video on how to measure fabric stretch and recovery


Also check out this linked IG post on how I estimate fabric weight.

 

Skill Level

This is an EasyMake pattern, which means it is accessible to confident beginners. The only slightly tricky bit is attaching the neck stand — but the instructions for this step have been further refined thanks to my amiable  testers and I believe the directions are clear enough to get you a decent neck stand even if you have never sewn a similar collar type.


My Sewn Samples




 Teal Blue (View A): My first ever sample, sewn over a year ago in a 290 GSM knit with 40% crosswise stretch. Since then, I’ve refined the neckline for a better fit.

·        Animal Print (View A): Velvet-like knit with about 230 GSM, 30% crosswise stretch, and gorgeous drape. This one feels the most luxurious!

· Li Light Blue (View B): A slinky jersey about 210 GSM. 30% crosswise and 40% lengthwise stretch. In this version, I have stitched the pleats closed for a short distance of about 1" to give additional waist definition. It worked well in this lighter fabric, but was too snug in the heavier velvet. Also, the sleeves and skirt have not been hemmed in the attached pictures. Final pictures coming soon.

fu Fun fact: The cap-sleeved, closer fitting variation was added during testing and a couple of the testers were gracious to sew new samples even before I did on very short notice. The short sleeve version is not made by just cutting View A shorter on the arm but a separate closer-fitting bodice has been drafted. 

All samples were sewn in a Size 10, with the following height adjustments (because I am 157 cm / 5'2"):

  • Bodice shortened by ¾" (2 cm)
  • Skirt shortened by 3" (7.5 cm)
  • Long sleeve shortened by 1.5" (4 cm)


 Pattern Hack Ideas

Although Aster is drafted for knits, I’m working on a post on making it summer-friendly using wovens — one with a zipper, one without.
The idea: use a skirt size with enough waist ease and then adjust the bodice to match at the waistline. Stay tuned!


 Testers’ Makes

A huge thank you to the testers who helped refine Aster. Some shortened the skirt or sleeves to match their preferences, and all brought their own flair to the pattern. Here are some of the testers and their rendition of the Aster dress sewing pattern.

JELINA




FLORENA




JESSICA



HANNAH


MELANIE



MICHELLE















MARIAH



MARTINA




KIM


🛒 Grab Your Copy

 The Aster Pattern is available now as a printable PDF in A4/Letter, A0, and Projector formats—with illustrated instructions included.
 Click here to get the pattern and start stitching!

 





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