Pattern Reviews
Papercut Aalto Dress
24—November 2023
Read our review of the recently released Aalto Dress by Papercut Patterns!
We hope you enjoyed our interview with Papercut Patterns founder Katie here on the blog last week! To celebrate the new Slow Down collection, we've sewn up and tested the new Aalto Dress pattern. This versatile pattern can be made as a top or dress, with loads of variations, making it a must-try for summer! Read on for project details and photos, kindly modelled by Amy from our online team.
Papercut Patterns — Aalto Dress/Top in sizes NZ 6-20 and in sizes NZ 16-34
This intermediate level pattern from Papercut offers makers several simple variations, including a top or maxi dress with a square or twist neckline. We chose to try a full maxi with a square neckline and back ties, perfect for the beach, picnic or summer soirees. Our size 3 (NZ 10) dress, modelled by Amy, used 3m of this Stripe Cotton Canvas, plus a little interfacing and extra Soft Lightweight Cotton Shirting for pocketing and lining. This pattern was a very simple sew with the square neckline, and although Papercut have rated it Intermediate, we'd definitely recommend it for a confident beginner! As with all Papercut patterns, the instructions and diagrams were easy to follow and we made no alterations
You can purchase the Aalto Dress from Papercut's 'Slow Down' collection in stores and online here!
Love the full look? We made a matching Elbe Textiles Serpentine Hat with the same fabric (Woven Stripe Cotton Twill – Wedgewood) as the inner lining.
Papercut recommend mid-weight woven fabric for the Aalto pattern, think cotton, rayon, linen and blends. This flexible striped cotton canvas fabric we used for our dress gave the silhouette a crisp structure and was super easy to sew. We'd love to try this pattern out in a soft linen or silk - check out a few summery options online below.
From top to bottom is Pineapple Embroidered Stripe Chambray - Blue, Tiny Diamond Print Stripe Chambray - Blue, Banana Flower Cotton Twill - Marmalade Mix, Chambray Twill Linen - Limoncello and Midweight Stripe Linen - Candy Cane