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This month’s featured pattern, Brom, is inspired by the timeless charm of classic shirt dresses updated with a modern twist. We focused on sculptural sleeves, elegant tailoring, and a flattering A-line silhouette that can take you from workdays to weekend gatherings. The pleated sleeves and princess seams bring both drama and structure, creating a versatile dress that feels polished yet approachable, perfect for sewists looking to elevate their handmade wardrobe.
The Brom Dress is a refined take on the classic shirt dress, designed with tailored details and a striking sleeve silhouette. Fitted through the bodice with bust and waist darts, Brom flows into a paneled A-line skirt that falls just below the knee. A stand collar and button-front placket add timeless structure, while the sleeves bring unexpected drama—featuring an inverted box pleat at the cap and a deep knife pleat at the hem, secured by buttons for sculptural volume. Polished yet distinctive, Brom is the perfect piece for days when you want your handmade wardrobe to feel truly elevated.
Ilisa is wearing a Brom dress sewn in a Swiss dot in a size 2. We added 1 3/4" to the bodice length, 1/2" to the sleeve length, and 2" to the hip. Her measurements are bust: 34" (86.4 cm), waist: 25 1/2" (64.8 cm), hip 39" (99 cm), and she is 5'9" (175.3 cm) tall.
Iman is wearing the Brom dress in a size 16 from our 12-30 size range. We reduced the waist and hip 1", and added 5/8" to the sleeve length. Her measurements are bust: 44" (111.8 cm), waist: 36" (91.4 cm), hip 47" (119.4 cm), and she is 5'9" (176.5 cm) tall.
Fabric and Fit
Stable medium weight woven fabrics work beautifully for Brom, giving structure to the bodice, sleeves and A-line skirt. Ideal fabrics include linen, linen blends, sateen, chambray, shirting, quilting cotton, rayon crepe, brocade, taffeta, and satin. When choosing fabric, look for a medium weight that holds pleats at the sleeve without being too stiff, while still allowing some fluidity for comfort and movement.
Lightweight fabrics can soften the pleats but may require careful interfacing at the collar and button placket to maintain shape. Fabrics with subtle texture, like Swiss dot or linen blends, add visual interest to the panels, while smooth weaves like sateen or taffeta give a sleek, polished finish.
Fitting tips:
- Understanding ease will help you pick the right size or sizes. This tutorial will teach you all about design and wearing ease.
- If you want to blend between sizes, use this video tutorial.
- To adjust the shoulder slope, follow this tutorial.
- If you need to adjust the armhole depth, use this tutorial.
- Here are tutorials for small bust adjustments and full bust adjustments.
- Follow this tutorial to lengthen and shorten a sewing pattern.
