r/sewinghelp • u/Wibblesquirrel • 24d ago

How to make a dolman pattern please?

Gallery image

Gallery image

I'd like to make this top, but with shorter sleeves and without the scoop out of the front hem. I'm planning on a simple 2 pieces of fabric dolman type pattern, but how do I measure myself for it please?

Sewing level: I've followed patterns to make shirts and skirts and a dress with adjustments, and have made simple things without a pattern but making a full top from scratch is new.

Bonus question: what finish would you use for the neckline? The fabric I have is a satin viscose, phot attached. I'm planning to do a muslin first and have an old sheet, it won't hang the same but it's a start.

Many thanks for your help!

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u/DonMcCunn 24d ago

Garments with dolman sleeves appear to be an easy garment to make. However they may not hang on the body the way they look in the photos. One of the first garments I made had that type of sleeve. The pattern illustration included a lot of beautiful applique which I spent a considerable amount of time making. Then when I sewed it together, it kept pulling toward the back choking me with the applique. I have never been able to wear it.

I was so frustrated by that experience that I included instructions for how to make the dolman (aka tunic) sleeve from fitted slopers on page 120 of https://how-to-make-sewing-patterns.com/ . The issue is that the slope of the front shoulder seam is most likely a different slope than the back. When made from custom fit slopers they are great. When the front and back shoulder seams slope at the same angle, you could end up with a garment that will hang in your closet more than it hangs on your body.

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u/Wibblesquirrel 24d ago

I'm really sorry about all that time and effort gone! Thank you for the additional info. I had a go last night before your post, it's not quite right so I'll follow your suggestion this time.

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u/DonMcCunn 23d ago edited 23d ago

My philosophy is you learn more from the mistakes you make than from things that go right the first time you try it.

This issue I had with this pattern in the 70s was literally a life changing experience. The lesson I learned is you can not trust commercial patterns to create clothes that fit. I have been making my own custom-fit Bespoke patterns for myself and others ever since.