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This pattern is copyrighted 2021 to Rebecca Page by rebecca-page.com.
Please feel free to make garments from this pattern to sell. If you do, we would love you to include a credit to rebecca-page.com as the pattern designer, but it is up to you.
The finished product may only be sold by crafters. It may not be mass produced. You can only sell the finished product; you cannot sell the pattern or these instructions.
Best of luck and happy sewing!
9
Phoebe Party Dress Bust Adjustment
Member Rating
Difficulty Level
Advanced Beginner
Intermediate
Equipment Needed
Description
In this free Phoebe Party Dress Small and Full Bust Adjustment (SBA or FBA) Tutorial you will get:
- A full tutorial with step-by-step instructions for fun, easy sewing.
- Full-size, instant-download tutorial that you can print at home and get started straight away!
- Beginner friendly instructions you’ll love to use (which are also great for sewing with your kids!)
- This free tutorial will guide you through a full bust and a small bust adjustment for the Phoebe Party Dress.
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- +Preparation
- Underbust (shown in YELLOW)
- Full Bust – This is taken from under arms and across the top of your bust (shown in BLUE)
- A cup = 1 inch bigger at full bust than top bust
- B cup = 2 inches bigger at full bust than top bust
- C cup = 3 inches bigger at full bust than top bust
- D cup = 4 inches bigger at full bust than top bust
- E cup = 5 inches bigger at full bust than top bust
- And so on…
- Your Rebecca Page pattern
- Scissors
- Clear ruler
- Pattern paper for tracing off your original Rebecca Page pattern, as we are going to split and spread the pattern. I recommend something slightly thicker than tissue paper, as this will tear too easily.
- Pen or pencil
- Sticky tape
Project OverviewDifficulty Level = Advanced Beginner / Intermediate
Our ladies’ patterns are designed for a sewing C cup bust (B cup in most ready to wear bras), with a 3 inch difference between the full bust and underbust. If you don’t fall into this size you may need to adjust your pattern pieces, to get the best fit at the bust, armholes and across the back.
The Phoebe Party Dress has a princess line from the shoulder to bust, straight through the bust point and finishing at the underbust. The waistband is fitted to the bust pieces. You can add (Full Bust Adjustment) or remove (Small Bust Adjustment) volume, to adjust for your own personal fit requirements. As there are two different bodice options, they will need slightly different adjustments in order to achieve the intended fit. You will need to select your bodice option before continuing with the adjustments needed.
Need help? Have a question? Connect with us.
Our Facebook group is a great place to get help, share your tips and creations! We are a friendly bunch, and we love to help and see what you have made.
Please read the full instructions before getting started.
Wash, dry, and press your fabric before starting your project. A bit of prep now prevents shrinking and means your garment will stay the same size you made it.
Never leave a child or baby unattended or allow to sleep in a garment made from one of our patterns with ties, snaps, buttons, or anything they could remove, choke on, or get caught on. Always use caution if you are unsure. We love our patterns, but we love your bundles of joy more!
SizingSize Range
Womens XXS-5XL
Size Chart
To get the best fit from your pattern you should go by your underbust measurement.
In order to determine the cup volume that is best for you, you’ll need to take 2 measurements when deciding which size is best for you:
Here’s a guide to bust cup sizes:
Materials and ToolsYou will need:
- + Instructions
1 . Trace Pattern1.0
PLUNGE NECKLINE OPTION: You will need the Center Bust & Side Bust pattern pieces.
MODESTY PANEL OPTION: You will need the Modesty Panel Center Bust, Modesty Panel Side Bust, Center and Side Panels.
This step is the same for either bodice option.
1.1Trace your pattern pieces, adding all markings.
Hold the Center Bust and Side Bust pattern pieces against yourself to find your bust point. Mark the bust point on both pattern pieces.
2 . Full Bust Adjustment (FBA)2.0If you need a small bust adjustment skip to step 7. Follow steps 2 to 6 for an FBA.
Steps 2.1 to 2.2 are the same for either bodice option. You will also need to follow step 2.3 for the modesty panel option.
2.1Place the two bust pattern pieces together, matching the bust points and keeping a 90-degree angle to the grainline.
Draw a vertical line (1) through the bust points on both pieces.
2.2Starting 1 inch away from the curved edge of your Side Bust piece, draw a vertical line (2) from the underbust up to the bust point.
Find the halfway point on the armscye and draw a line (3) down to the horizontal line drawn in step 1.2.
Skip to step 3 for the plunge neckline option or follow below for the modesty panel option.
2.3Take the Modesty Center Panel and cut it in half.
Draw a line halfway down on one of the cut pieces.
3 . Side Bust3.0This step is the same for either bodice option. Follow this step for an FBA on the side bust.
3.1Starting at the underbust, cut along the line (2) up to the bust point line (1).
Then cut along the line (3) up to the mid armscye leaving a small hinge at the armscye.
From the armscye cut along the line (1) towards the bust point, leaving a small hinge.
Draw a horizontal line (4) from the bust curve to line 2. This can be made at any point. Cut along this line.
3.2Slip a piece of paper underneath your pattern piece.
Move your pattern piece apart, by the measurement you need to increase by, pivoting at the hinge points.
NOTE – We suggest increasing by a maximum of 2 ½ inches at this point as extra volume can be created in the center bust piece.
Cut the last line (4) you made in step 2.2. Cut all the way along the drawn line. Move this piece down so it’s parallel to your other pattern piece.Tape all pieces down to secure.
Redraw the bust curve and underbust. Cut this piece out.
3.3You will need to close up the dart created at the armscye.
Draw a line from the top of the dart at the armscye down towards the horizontal line drawn in step x, and across to the bust point curve.
Cut along this line.
3.4Slip another piece of paper underneath your pattern piece.
Move the pattern piece at the armscye to close up the dart. Secure with tape and blend the armscye seam where the adjustment has been made. You will notice the bust seam has now opened up slightly – blend this seam line smoothing out the lines.
Cut this piece out. This will be your new Side Bust pattern piece.
PLUNGE NECKLINE OPTION: Follow step 4.
MODESTY PANEL OPTION: Follow steps 5 to 6
4 . Plunge Neckline Option: Center Bust4.0If you are sewing the Modesty Panel bodice option skip to step 5. Follow this step for an FBA on the center bust.
4.1This pattern piece has a slight curve at the underbust seam. This will help keep the bodice closer to your body in between the bust. You do not want to add into this seam at this point.
Draw a horizontal line ½ inch either side of the line draw in step 2.1.
4.2Starting at the side bust (bust point), cut along each line towards the center front, leaving small hinges.
4.3Slip a piece of paper underneath your pattern piece.
Place your adjusted Side Bust piece next to your Center Bust piece. Move your pattern piece apart, by the same increment added into the Side Bust (at points A to D), pivoting at the hinge points.
Tape the center bust piece down to secure.
Cut this piece out. This will be your new Center Bust pattern piece.
Your FBA is complete! With all new bust pattern pieces now adjusted, create a muslin or toile to check the fit. Check that the princess seam runs through your bust point and that the center front seam holds your bust. Pin and mark on your muslin any extra personal fitting that is required.
If you have gaping at the center front seam, follow steps 4.4 to 4.7.
4.4Wearing your muslin pinch the center front seam where it gapes. Pin where you feel the most excess sits. Transfer this to your Center Bust pattern piece.
Measure from the shoulder down to the point. Measure from the underbust up to the point. Mark these points onto the pattern piece at the center front seam (opposite to the bust point).
Find the center of this measurement and draw a horizontal line across the pattern piece.
4.5Starting at the horizontal line at the bust point curve, draw a line to meet the mark from the shoulder. Draw another line to meet the mark from the underbust. This will now be a dart shape.
4.6Cut along this dart, leaving a small hinge at the bust seam.
4.7Slip a piece of paper underneath your pattern piece.
Close up the dart and blend the seams where an adjustment has been made.
Cut out your new Center Bust pattern piece.
5 . Modesty Panel Option: Center Bust5.0If you are sewing the Plunge Neckline bodice option skip this step. Follow this step for an FBA on the modesty panel center bust.
5.1Take the Center Bust pattern piece and cut along the line created in step 2.1.
5.2Slip a piece of paper underneath your pattern piece.
Place your adjusted Side Bust piece next to your Center Bust piece. Move your pattern piece apart, by the same increment added into the Side Bust (at points A to D).
5.3Tape the center bust piece down to secure. Blend the lines.
Cut this piece out.
5.4Measure halfway at the armscye and draw a horizontal line (5) across the Center Bust piece.
Draw a vertical line (6) from this point to the underbust.
5.5Starting at the underbust cut straight up the vertical line (6) up to the horizontal line (5).
Cut along the horizontal line (5) to the sides, leaving a small hinge either side.
Cut along the horizontal line (1) to the sides, leaving a small hinge either side.
5.6Slip a piece of paper underneath your pattern piece.
Move the pattern piece by your required adjustment. Blending the edges where the adjustments have been made.
Cut this piece out.
NOTE – We recommend adjusting by a maximum of 1 1 ½ inches. If you need to add more into the bust, you can add an extra 1 inch into the modesty center panel. Follow step 6 to adjust this piece.
6 . Modesty Panels6.0If you are sewing the Plunge Neckline bodice option skip this step. Follow this step for an FBA on the modesty panels.
6.1Cut along the line drawn in step 2.3.
Slip a piece of paper underneath your pattern piece.
Drop the piece down by the same increments as E to F on the Center Bust pattern piece.
Secure with tape and cut out.
NOTE – The top edge will now need to be cut on the fold.
Your FBA is complete! With all new bust pattern pieces now adjusted, create a muslin or toile to check the fit. Check that the princess seam runs through your bust point and that the center front seam holds your bust. Pin and mark on your muslin any extra personal fitting that is required.
7 . Small Bust Adjustment (SBA)7.0If you need a full bust adjustment, follow steps 2 to 7.
PLUNGE NECKLINE OPTION: For a small bust adjustment you will only need to adjust the volume of the cups. You will need the Center Bust & Side Bust pattern pieces.
MODESTY PANEL OPTION: The Center and Side Modesty Panels won’t need to be adjusted. You will only need to adjust the Modesty Panel Center Bust and Modesty Panel Side Bust pieces.
7.1Follow steps 1 to 2.2.
Starting at the underbust, cut along the line (2) up to the bust point line (1).
Then cut along the line (3) up to the mid armscye leaving a small hinge at the armscye.
From the armscye cut along the line (1) towards the bust point, leaving a small hinge.
7.2Slip a piece of paper underneath your pattern piece.
Overlap the parallel cut lines by the amount needed from your personal measurement. Cut through the horizontal line underbust.
7.3Move the small piece up so sits in line with the underbust seam.
Make a note of the measurement between A and B.
Secure it with tape and cut out.
7.4Take the Center Bust pattern piece and cut through the vertical line from step 2.1.
Slip a piece of paper underneath your pattern piece.
Overlap the bottom piece to the same increment as the distance between A and B from step 7.3.
Secure with tape and cut out.
Your SBA is complete! Use these new bodice pattern pieces to make a muslin (a test garment out of inexpensive fabric) to check the fit.
- + Finishing Notes and Congratulations
Finishing Notes and Congratulations
Congratulations, your Phoebe Dress Bust Adjustment is complete. Enjoy!
We would love to hear how you got on and see photos of your finished project!
Join us at our Facebook Group or on Instagram so we can see it! #rpphoebepartydressadjustment
Thank you for using a Rebecca Page pattern.
© Copyright 2021
All Rights Reserved
Sales + Licencing InformationProject OverviewDifficulty Level = Advanced Beginner / Intermediate
Our ladies’ patterns are designed for a sewing C cup bust (B cup in most ready to wear bras), with a 3 inch difference between the full bust and underbust. If you don’t fall into this size you may need to adjust your pattern pieces, to get the best fit at the bust, armholes and across the back.
The Phoebe Party Dress has a princess line from the shoulder to bust, straight through the bust point and finishing at the underbust. The waistband is fitted to the bust pieces. You can add (Full Bust Adjustment) or remove (Small Bust Adjustment) volume, to adjust for your own personal fit requirements. As there are two different bodice options, they will need slightly different adjustments in order to achieve the intended fit. You will need to select your bodice option before continuing with the adjustments needed.
SizingSize Range
Womens XXS-5XL
Size Chart
To get the best fit from your pattern you should go by your underbust measurement.
In order to determine the cup volume that is best for you, you’ll need to take 2 measurements when deciding which size is best for you:
- Underbust (shown in YELLOW)
- Full Bust – This is taken from under arms and across the top of your bust (shown in BLUE)
Here’s a guide to bust cup sizes:
- A cup = 1 inch bigger at full bust than top bust
- B cup = 2 inches bigger at full bust than top bust
- C cup = 3 inches bigger at full bust than top bust
- D cup = 4 inches bigger at full bust than top bust
- E cup = 5 inches bigger at full bust than top bust
- And so on…
Materials and ToolsYou will need:
- Your Rebecca Page pattern
- Scissors
- Clear ruler
- Pattern paper for tracing off your original Rebecca Page pattern, as we are going to split and spread the pattern. I recommend something slightly thicker than tissue paper, as this will tear too easily.
- Pen or pencil
- Sticky tape