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Rosemary is a pull-over woven dress that pairs a clean, sleeveless bodice with a softly gathered skirt for an effortless silhouette that feels both timeless and relaxed. With its simple lines and thoughtful details, it's an easy piece to dress up or down throughout the seasons.
The high round neckline and sleeveless bodice create a clean, elegant frame, while bust darts provide gentle shaping through the bodice. A delicate keyhole closure at the center back adds a refined finishing touch, and the neckline and armholes are finished with single-fold bias binding for a lightweight, polished finish.
The gathered skirt is shaped by paneled construction, with two-tiered side panels that add beautiful movement and visual interest. An optional waist tie lets you wear Rosemary with more definition or embrace its relaxed silhouette, while a classic double-fold hem provides a clean finish.
This bonus variation offers a fresh interpretation of Rosemary's timeless silhouette. A partial button placket replaces the simple neckline with a tailored detail that adds just the right amount of structure while making the dress even easier to slip on and off.
Because the front placket provides the necessary opening, the center back keyhole is omitted for a clean, streamlined finish. All of the original design elements remain the same, including the sleeveless bodice, paneled gathered skirt, optional waist tie, and graceful movement that defines the design.
Whether sewn in crisp linen, classic shirting, or a cheerful print, this variation offers a polished alternative that feels equally at home dressed up or styled casually.
Shannon is wearing the Rosemary dress in a size 6. We shortened the bodice length by 1/2" and shortened the skirt length by 1 1/2". Her measurements are bust: 36" (91.4 cm), waist: 29" (73.7 cm), hip: 36" (91.4 cm), and she is 5'4" (162.6 cm) tall.
Crosby is wearing the Rosemary dress in a size 20. We made a broad shoulder adjustment, reduced the armhole depth, and added 1" to the overall skirt length. Her measurements are bust: 48 1/2" (123.2 cm), waist: 38 1/2" (97.8 cm), hip: 49" (124.5 cm), and she is 5'10" (177.8 cm) tall.
Fabric and Fit
Fabric Recommendations
Rosemary is designed for light to medium weight woven fabrics that enhance the dress's soft gathers and graceful movement. Linen and chambray create an easy, everyday feel with a touch of structure, while batiste and lawn offer a light, airy finish that's perfect for warmer weather.
For added texture and visual interest, try clip dot, seersucker, or double gauze. Quilting cottons and shirting fabrics create a crisp, classic version of Rosemary, while rayon challis, rayon crepe, cupro, silk, and Tencel lend the skirt beautiful drape and fluid movement.
Because Rosemary's silhouette is both simple and thoughtfully detailed, your fabric choice can completely transform its personality—from relaxed and casual to soft and elegant.
Fitting Tips
Rosemary has a relaxed fit through the bodice and skirt, making it an approachable style to fit. Check out these tutorials on fit adjustments that can help you customize your Rosemary dress.
- Understanding ease will help you pick the right size or sizes. This tutorial will teach you all about design and wearing ease.
- Follow this tutorial to lengthen and shorten a sewing pattern.
- If you need to adjust the armhole depth, use this tutorial.
- If you want to blend between sizes, use this video tutorial.
- To adjust the shoulder slope, follow this tutorial.
- Here are tutorials for wide or narrow shoulder adjustments.
- Here are tutorials for small bust adjustments and full bust adjustments.
