Introducing the Collins Top and Dress

The Collins is a quick and satisfying sew with options galore! Sew it up as a top, short dress, or tea length dress. The pattern comes with two cup size options as well as low or high (bra friendly) back options.

It's designed for knit fabrics and has an integrated shelf bra. The dress is form fitting without being too tight and features a slight A-line hem. This is the type of pattern you’ll want to sew again and again!

This is the type of pattern you’ll want to sew again and again! In this blog post we share everything you need to know about the Collins including the sizing notes, finished garment measurements, fabric suggestions and more.

Fit Notes

The Collins is designed to be form fitting but not too tight. The dress views have a slight A-line silhouette.

The long dress is meant to hit mid-low calf.
The short dress is designed to hit about 4” above your knee
The top view is designed to hit around your belt line.
This pattern was drafted using sample measurements for a for a height of 5’6”[168cm].

*We recommend choosing a size based on your full chest measurement.

Size Chart:

Finished Garment Measurements:

Finished Garment Measurements are the dimensions of the garment after it is sewn. The provided lengths are measured from back shoulder point to hem.

Yardage Requirments

You may need to purchase extra yardage if your fabric has a heavy nap, is directional, striped, or has an obvious repeat.

Long Dress View

Short Dress View

Top View

Recommended Fabric

The Collins is designed for knit fabrics. You will need a fabric with at least 25% crosswise stretch. It looks great in jerseys, rib knits, ponte knits, scuba, and more! If you are sewing the dress version, a fabric with a bit of body will hold the shape of the hem nicely.

Below are a few fabric examples that would work well for the Collins, so you can visualise it in different prints and styles of fabric.

1. Flower Child in Green Cotton Jersey by The Crafty Pie from Lucy Locket Fabrics

2. Cotton/Spandex Jersey, Irregular Check, Ivory/Sage from Stone Mountain and Daughter Fabrics

3. Cotton Jersey, Maria Olive Green from Sew Me Sunshine

4. Viscose Blend Ribbed Jersey, Yarn Dyed Stripe, from Sew Me Sunshine

5. Bamboo Knit Jersey from Blackbird Fabrics

6. EcoVero Viscose/Spandex Jersey, Blurred Shapes, Mocha from Stone Mountain and Daughter Fabrics

7. Lizzy - Printed Cotton Jersey from Hey Sew Sister

8. Cornflower Ripple Dot Viscose Jersey Fabric from Guthrie and Ghani

9. Sailor Knit Denim, Dark Blue, from Fabric Godmother

We hope you found those fabric suggestions helpful! Our lovely model samples are made from different fabrics and of course in different sizes, here are the details for each one: