There are many dress patterns for women, what you should know is that none of these is ‘the best. There are dress patterns for women that work well in business situations, while others are better if you’re interested in creating clothes for parties or other special occasions.
That said, there are some dress patterns that will prove more versatile than others, and knowing the differences before beginning your search will help you narrow down which pattern types to choose from.
A-Line dresses are one of the most popular choices when it comes to dressing patterns for women. A-line dresses (also known as sheath/column) can be worn on their own or layered over pants during cooler weather months. This style tends to provide plenty of stretch across the chest and hips, making them great choices for curves; they also fit most body types. It’s important to remember that, due to their design, A-line dresses do not provide the greatest coverage across the bust and midsection. While they fit most body types well, women with longer torsos may find it difficult to find an A-line dress that doesn’t hit above or below their natural waist (the narrowest part of your torso).
Sheath dresses are another popular choice for women shopping for dress patterns for women. Sheath/column styles, like A-lines, tend to be more flattering on curves; they also offer plenty of stretch in the chest and hips. They are slightly more form-fitting than an A-Line but still really comfortable! The main difference between sheath/columns and A-lines is that sheath/column dresses tend to be longer, with many hitting at the knee or just below. They are also not as forgiving in terms of stretch, which can make them somewhat more challenging to work with for some women.
Wrap dresses are another great option when it comes to dressing patterns for women. Wrap dresses go by many names (the most common being surplice), but at their core, they are simply a V-shaped bodice pattern, fitted in the chest and waist, that wraps around your body and ties together in front (often at an altered waistline). This style tends to provide plenty of “stretch” across the chest while fitting smoothly over the hips; however, women with longer torsos may find it difficult to find a wrap dress that doesn’t hit above or below their natural waist. Another common issue is finding a properly fitting armhole in the sleeve, which lends itself well to women who sew because this allows for easy fixing by taking up the armholes!
Tunic dresses are another popular choice for dress patterns for women. Tunic styles are often long, loose-fitting garments that fall between mid-calf and knee-length; they are overflowing with ease of movement. Tunics tend to be very forgiving across the bust while still providing plenty of stretch across the hips (they can also “grow” with you making them great choices for women who have yet to reach their ideal weight).
