Fable Dress - Adult
Digital Pattern + Video Class

Fable Dress - Adult
Digital Pattern + Video Class

$16.00 USD
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An effortless, elegant style, the Fable Dress is equally at home pottering around the garden, or dressed up for an evening out.  The fit is relaxed, but not oversized, with a  princess seam bodice, gently-gathered skirt, and gloriously deep inseam pockets.  

The Fable features a functional button front, but can also slip over the head without fasteners.  With three sleeve lengths and options for both a faced or fully-lined bodice, the Fable adapts with the seasons for year-round wear. 

Optional waist ties or back bodice elastic add versatility for fluctuating weight, and provide plenty of choice for creating different looks.   

Skill level: Adventurous beginner - Intermediate

Fitting adjustment resources: Included

Skills you will learn:  Princess seams, set-in sleeves, gathering, in-seam pockets, (optional) bias binding  

Video for Adult Fable Dress by Twig + Tale GIF

Video Support: A full course of clear, concise videos accompany this pattern, alongside a comprehensive written and photographed instruction booklet.

Size Charts + Fabric requirements

Choose between two size ranges:
0-22   (A-L) 
Size 0 starts where the children's sizes finish
14-38 (H-T)

Twig + Tale Sewing Patterns Size Chart - Metric

Twig + Tale Sewing Patterns Size Chart - Imperial

Fabric Requirements + Finished Garment Measurement - Sizes 0-22 (A-L)


Fabric Requirements + Finished Garment Measurement - Sizes 14-38 (H-T)

Views
  • Princess seam bodice
  • Gently gathered, knee-length skirt 
  • Functional button front is perfect for nursing
  • Three sleeve lengths: short, 3/4, and long 

  • Deep inseam pockets
  • Faced or fully-lined bodice
  • Bound facings for a beautiful finish

  • Optional waist ties
  • Optional back bodice elastic for shaping
  • Optional patch pockets (blogpost)
  • Optional simple non-button front (blogpost)

 

Sizes 0-22 (A-L)

Fable Dress Sewing Pattern views by Twig + Tale

Sizes 14-38 (H-T)

Fable Dres Sewing Pattern Views sizes 14-38 by Twig + Tale

Adaptive

Included Adaptive Add-on: Post Mastectomy/Flat Front 
Pre-adjusted pattern pieces for post-mastectomy/flat-front.  Pattern pieces for a flat front closure on either one or both sides.  This includes a custom tutorial, and specific fitting resources.

These adaptive pattern pieces are available in Print-at-Home, A0 Copyshop and Projector format. 

If you purchased the Fable Dress pattern before these resources were added, simply re-download the pattern from your account to access them.

Bonus Resources 
Printing Info + FAQ

This is a print-at-home PDF pattern and includes three printing options:

    1. US Letter/A4 - tiled and designed to print on your home printer
    2. Copyshop - A0 wide-format file
    1. (33.1″ x 46.8″) 
    2. Projector - specially-formatted and optimized for home projector use. 
  1. Read more about using our projector files here 

All pattern printing formats include “layers”, allowing you to print only the size(s) you need, or all of the sizes. A comprehensive sewing instruction tutorial is supplied.

View pattern FAQ 

Customer Reviews

Based on 53 reviews
98%
(52)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
2%
(1)
0%
(0)
M
Marie Markey-bogue (Bideford, GB)
Perfect all year dress pattern

I love this pattern, I have made several for my daughter. I love that depending on the fabric you choose it’s perfect all year round.

J
Jackie Miller (Partridge, US)
Classic silhouette

I’m so pleased with how the dress turned out and plan to make many more! It took a long time because I haven’t sewn a woven dress for ages, but I know the next one will go faster now that I’m familiar with the process.

M
Margaret Wachtler (Dublin, IE)
Christmas dress

I haven't touched a sewing machine for more than 30 years. The new one was my birthday present and this garment was my first project. The world has changed. You should have seen me figuring out how to print and tape. But, the instructions, the tips and general guidance made this undertaking a real pleasure. I made a plaid(!) Christmas dress for my 18 month old granddaughter. And it was a success!

M
Manuela Clemens (Neustadt an der Weinstraße, DE)
Wonderful pattern

I was pushing sewing this dress away now for months, but my little girl wished for a Christmas dress. I created a half circle skirt to make sure it would really swirl and we are absolutely thrilled with the result! The instructions were super easy to understand and the fit is just great!

H
Helen Simpson (Royal Leamington Spa, GB)
Beautiful dress

I made this dress the other week, and it's such a great make. The instructions were clear and easy to follow and the pattern came together really easily..I ended up sizing done one size from the one which matches my measurements as I prefer a slightly less oversized bodice (though it's still loose fitting as it's designed to be). I'll definitely be making more of these.

C
Christin K (Tipton, US)
Lovely dress

I’m a confident beginner/intermediate sewist and I found this pattern very easy to follow. I added a ruffle to the bodice using the hack from the twig and tale blog. My daughter is very happy with her dress and I plan on making myself one this winter with the adult pattern.

B
Bron (Adelaide, AU)
Easy. Pretty.

Made a gingham dress for my daughter (a 12 year old) using the smallest of the adult sizes. She wore it to book week as Anne Of Green Gables. Fit really well, very cute. Instructions were easy to follow. Appreciated having instructions for both a faced and lined version. We made the lined version. She will continue to wear it without the rest of the costume.

H
Heather (Christchurch, NZ)
Couldn't get bodice to fit

The instructions for the Fable were excellent and easy to follow. Unfortunately, despite the pattern being described as a loose fit, I couldn't get the bodice to work for me and the arm holes were way too tight so I couldn't lift my arms. I do have rounded shoulders so the bodice didn't work despite trying 4 muslins with various adjustments. I must say though that the T+T team were extremely helpful suggesting adjustments to try and walking me through them step by step. I was really looking forward to making a Fable for myself so was disappointed to waste my money on a pattern that I probably won't be able to use.

Hello Heather - thank you for reaching out.

We certainly want to make sure that you are happy with your pattern purchase, and so I'm sorry to hear you haven't been able to make it work as of yet. I see where you and my counterpart were corresponding in the Facebook chat group about possible fitting adjustments, and that you have a few to consider. It sounds like she was able to get you a more personalized, illustrated series of adjustments via PM as well - were you able to implement those in the order she gave, but still unsuccessful in achieving a fit you are happy with?

The ease of the pattern is one that can be hard to describe for everyone making the pattern in a single statement, as we do in fact get people who provide feedback that the pattern is looser than they would prefer as-is! In general I would say yours even has a fairly relaxed fit, we just need to help you get the ease distributed where it needs to be for the sake of range of motion. Individual body shape and personal preferences as far as fit can make such a big difference in how one might expect something to fit based on a description. As much as we wish we could create something that would fit everyone perfectly straight 'out of the envelope', it really does come down to fitting it for your own body, which is why we work diligently to empower you to do so, by providing so many different 'tools' for doing so in the way of fitting tutorials. Every body is different and it can just be a part of the process - though I certainly understand it can feel frustrating when you are accustomed to sewing with knits that are a bit more forgiving.

We pride ourselves on personal customer service and so want to do everything we can to make sure you get a garment you love. Fitting woven garments for the first time can definitely be a bit of a change from knit garments, as the material doesn't have the same 'give' as knits, but one we do our best to make achievable. Once completed it really can be a great service to fitting future woven garments, as well. If you'd like I'm happy to provide you some additional assistance via email at support@twigandtale.com, or see if I can put you in touch with our patternmaker who may be able to take a look at your fitting needs from a different perspective and provide some additional assistance.

Do reach out if we can be of assistance - I'm sure we can help you make a Fable you will be happy with if you would still like to. ❤

K
Kirsty (London, GB)
Perfect piece

I wanted this pattern for so long and finally got it. I am so pleased with it, the fit is ideal. Not tight but not baggy and princess seams give a lovely shape. This will be a wardrobe staple for me.

A
Annie Palmer (Perth, AU)
Perfect pattern

I found the buying, downloading, printing and the instructions very good. I like that I could just print the size I needed. My only suggestion is that for small sizes you should recommend lining the top. I did facings and instantly regretted. Lining is much neater and saves binding the seam between bodice and skirt, especially when using a heavy fabric. Excuse the hairy model! The child I made this for always likes her sleeves rolled up so I added a lined cuff which looks sweet on a girl but a bit lost on bear.

Customer Reviews

Based on 53 reviews
98%
(52)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
2%
(1)
0%
(0)
M
Marie Markey-bogue (Bideford, GB)
Perfect all year dress pattern

I love this pattern, I have made several for my daughter. I love that depending on the fabric you choose it’s perfect all year round.

J
Jackie Miller (Partridge, US)
Classic silhouette

I’m so pleased with how the dress turned out and plan to make many more! It took a long time because I haven’t sewn a woven dress for ages, but I know the next one will go faster now that I’m familiar with the process.

M
Margaret Wachtler (Dublin, IE)
Christmas dress

I haven't touched a sewing machine for more than 30 years. The new one was my birthday present and this garment was my first project. The world has changed. You should have seen me figuring out how to print and tape. But, the instructions, the tips and general guidance made this undertaking a real pleasure. I made a plaid(!) Christmas dress for my 18 month old granddaughter. And it was a success!

M
Manuela Clemens (Neustadt an der Weinstraße, DE)
Wonderful pattern

I was pushing sewing this dress away now for months, but my little girl wished for a Christmas dress. I created a half circle skirt to make sure it would really swirl and we are absolutely thrilled with the result! The instructions were super easy to understand and the fit is just great!

H
Helen Simpson (Royal Leamington Spa, GB)
Beautiful dress

I made this dress the other week, and it's such a great make. The instructions were clear and easy to follow and the pattern came together really easily..I ended up sizing done one size from the one which matches my measurements as I prefer a slightly less oversized bodice (though it's still loose fitting as it's designed to be). I'll definitely be making more of these.

C
Christin K (Tipton, US)
Lovely dress

I’m a confident beginner/intermediate sewist and I found this pattern very easy to follow. I added a ruffle to the bodice using the hack from the twig and tale blog. My daughter is very happy with her dress and I plan on making myself one this winter with the adult pattern.

B
Bron (Adelaide, AU)
Easy. Pretty.

Made a gingham dress for my daughter (a 12 year old) using the smallest of the adult sizes. She wore it to book week as Anne Of Green Gables. Fit really well, very cute. Instructions were easy to follow. Appreciated having instructions for both a faced and lined version. We made the lined version. She will continue to wear it without the rest of the costume.

H
Heather (Christchurch, NZ)
Couldn't get bodice to fit

The instructions for the Fable were excellent and easy to follow. Unfortunately, despite the pattern being described as a loose fit, I couldn't get the bodice to work for me and the arm holes were way too tight so I couldn't lift my arms. I do have rounded shoulders so the bodice didn't work despite trying 4 muslins with various adjustments. I must say though that the T+T team were extremely helpful suggesting adjustments to try and walking me through them step by step. I was really looking forward to making a Fable for myself so was disappointed to waste my money on a pattern that I probably won't be able to use.

Hello Heather - thank you for reaching out.

We certainly want to make sure that you are happy with your pattern purchase, and so I'm sorry to hear you haven't been able to make it work as of yet. I see where you and my counterpart were corresponding in the Facebook chat group about possible fitting adjustments, and that you have a few to consider. It sounds like she was able to get you a more personalized, illustrated series of adjustments via PM as well - were you able to implement those in the order she gave, but still unsuccessful in achieving a fit you are happy with?

The ease of the pattern is one that can be hard to describe for everyone making the pattern in a single statement, as we do in fact get people who provide feedback that the pattern is looser than they would prefer as-is! In general I would say yours even has a fairly relaxed fit, we just need to help you get the ease distributed where it needs to be for the sake of range of motion. Individual body shape and personal preferences as far as fit can make such a big difference in how one might expect something to fit based on a description. As much as we wish we could create something that would fit everyone perfectly straight 'out of the envelope', it really does come down to fitting it for your own body, which is why we work diligently to empower you to do so, by providing so many different 'tools' for doing so in the way of fitting tutorials. Every body is different and it can just be a part of the process - though I certainly understand it can feel frustrating when you are accustomed to sewing with knits that are a bit more forgiving.

We pride ourselves on personal customer service and so want to do everything we can to make sure you get a garment you love. Fitting woven garments for the first time can definitely be a bit of a change from knit garments, as the material doesn't have the same 'give' as knits, but one we do our best to make achievable. Once completed it really can be a great service to fitting future woven garments, as well. If you'd like I'm happy to provide you some additional assistance via email at support@twigandtale.com, or see if I can put you in touch with our patternmaker who may be able to take a look at your fitting needs from a different perspective and provide some additional assistance.

Do reach out if we can be of assistance - I'm sure we can help you make a Fable you will be happy with if you would still like to. ❤

K
Kirsty (London, GB)
Perfect piece

I wanted this pattern for so long and finally got it. I am so pleased with it, the fit is ideal. Not tight but not baggy and princess seams give a lovely shape. This will be a wardrobe staple for me.

A
Annie Palmer (Perth, AU)
Perfect pattern

I found the buying, downloading, printing and the instructions very good. I like that I could just print the size I needed. My only suggestion is that for small sizes you should recommend lining the top. I did facings and instantly regretted. Lining is much neater and saves binding the seam between bodice and skirt, especially when using a heavy fabric. Excuse the hairy model! The child I made this for always likes her sleeves rolled up so I added a lined cuff which looks sweet on a girl but a bit lost on bear.