SBCC Pisco Dress Tester Version

Hi, friends! I’m here today to share my tester version of the new Pisco Dress (and tank) from SBCC patterns. After struggling with fit for many years, testing the Harvey Shirt a couple of months ago was a major breakthrough for me: I learned that I am, in fact, petite from the bust to the shoulder even though I am 5’7″ tall. I guess I had always suspected it, but it never occurred to me to sew a petite pattern since I am technically “tall”. I love my Harvey Shirt and the newly released Pisco Dress is another huge winner for me, and even better, it come in both petite and “average” sizing! A first for SBCC and a real bonus for me… read on, because the sizing customization options with this pattern are nearly too good to be true.

Firstly, Betsy has cleverly constructed this pattern so that both the bodice and the skirt have a petite and an average draft, meaning that you can join them at the waist and use the petite bodice with the average skirt like I did, or vice versa! In fact, if you read between the lines, you can use both the average lengths and suddenly the SBCC patterns can easily be used by someone who is not petite! If you have been avoiding SBCC patterns because you aren’t petite (and I get it, who wants to add another pattern adjustment?), I dare you to give this one a try. I want everyone to experience the amazing fit of this pattern!

In addition to the height options, this pattern comes in cup sizes B, C, and D. I sewed the C cup in a 1X bust, 2X waist, and 3X hips. I did make a few alterations to the fit of this tester version, but it sounds like all the fit issues I had were addressed in the final pattern, so I won’t confuse you with the details.

The last bit of exciting fit news is that a size 4X was added with the release of this pattern, so it goes up to a 60.5″ bust and a 61.5″ hips. HOORAY! That is one of the best size ranges in the indie pattern market, for sure. Just as a note, the measurements on the pattern listing page are the finished measurements, but the size chart is included in the actual pattern itself. Its nice to have both data points, but that was always something that confused me until I actually sewed an SBCC pattern. I promise its clear in the instructions.

Listen, I know I’m gushing and quite frankly its embarrassing. But if you read back through my blog (and instagram), you will see the saga of me trying to fit a knit tank dress and then finally giving up and just hacking a swing dress from the Concord Tee because thats all I could get to fit my bust to waist to hip measurements. But I have always, always wanted a knit pattern like this that fell straight from the hips in an unfussy way that would be easy to pair with leggings and long cardigans. I even have it in my sketchbook as #outfit goals!

Well, it turns out all that was required to handle these curves was five shaped seams (insert laughing/crying emoji here). Princess seams in the front and the back PLUS a shaped center back seam is the real ticket here, people. No side seams required (and I’m not really curvy in the side to side direction anyways, more the front and back directions, which I think has been my fit issue in the past). This is the real deal, pattern drafting magic. For me, this pattern is personal!

Now, when I first saw the line drawing, this style didn’t really speak to me. In fact, I couldn’t find anything in the stash that I thought would work (I was scared to use my precious pontes) and had to break my #fabricfast pledge and go to my local(ish) Joann’s and look for something. Good thing they have really stepped up their garment fabric options in the last few years and had this liverpool knit (ok, they call it stretch crepe) in a fun print, and of course on sale. I still wasn’t sold on the fact that I was going to like this pattern. Well, watch out stash pontes, I’m coming for you! I’m going to be wearing all the tank dresses with cardigans, leggings, and boots once fall finally rolls around in New Mexico.

I like that this style can also skew a bit sporty, I’m thinking I may make it in an athletic knit and it will be my dream hiking dress. It should be really easy to add some deep pockets that span between the princess seams to hold my phone, dog accessories, and all my snacks! The cute little “sleeves” should provide just enough shoulder and back coverage.

Construction wise, this goes together super easily if you are experience with knits. There’s not much I enjoy more than zipping a stable, beefy knit through the serger. Just keep in mind there is a LOT of topstitching (though you can’t really see it in my photos), so make sure that your fabric is amenable to that. I suppose that topstitching the vertical seams is optional, but it was totally necessary with this fabric since it barely held a press. I actually did all the topstitching using a straight stitch on my regular machine. Since it runs vertically, it shouldn’t be experiencing too much stress/stretch. Then I got a little carried away and topstitched the neckline and arm bands the same way. So far so good on that. I didn’t want to tempt fate, so I did bust out the wide, two-thread overstitch for the hem.

Anyways, I think I have gushed enough! I hope ya’ll will give this pattern a try, it is seriously so thoughtfully drafted and I can’t think of a pattern with more fit customization options. Thanks for asking me to test, Betsy. I can’t wait to see what’s next!

Just the Facts:

Pattern: Pisco Dress  from SBCC patterns

Current Measurements: Bust: 46″, Waist 42″, Hip 54″

Size:  1X C cup, 2X, 3X

Fabric/Notions: Floral Stretch Crepe knit from Joann Fabrics,  no notions required!

This pattern was provided to me in exchange for my pattern testing services, with no expectation of a blog post or review.