This document provides instructions for drafting a basic bodice pattern with front and back pieces. The back bodice pattern is drafted as a rectangle using half the bust circumference and back length measurements. Side seams and armholes are marked. A back dart is drafted between two points measuring 9.5cm and 15cm. The front bodice pattern is also drafted as a rectangle using half the bust circumference and front waist length. Front neckline, side seams, armholes and a 6cm deep front dart are marked. The patterns are then cut out, leaving a 3cm margin at the top shoulder. The shoulder dart is closed by folding the flap towards the armhole and redrawing the shoulder line

1. DRAFT A BASIC BODICE
PATTERN

2. BACK BODICE PATTERN:
Draw a rectangle using the following
measurements. Be sure to leave at least a 3 cm
margin around the rectangle. Point 1 to 2 = ¼
bust circumference - 1 cm + 0.5 cm (for
ease). Points 1 to 3 = back length. Now close
off the rectangle making sure it is perfectly
squared (each corner should be a 90º angle).

3. 2.From Points 3 to 5 and 4 to 6 mark the side length measurement. Connect
points 5 and 6 with a straight line.
3.From Points 1 to 8 and 5 to 7 mark half the back width. Connect points 8 and
7with a straight line.
4.From Point 1 to 9 mark down about 1.5 to 2 cms. From Point 1 to 10 mark one-
tenth the waist measurement. Connect point 9 to 10 with a slight curve. This is the
neckhole for the bodice.
From Point 8 down to 11 mark 4.5cm. Draw a straight line from point 10 to 11
overshooting 11 by 0.5 cm. That slight overshoot will be Point 12.
Mark up 3 cms from Point 7 to 13. Now connect Points 6, 13 and 12 with a curve.
This is the armhole for your bodice.
5.From Point 3 to 14 mark 9,5 cms.
6.From Point 14 to 15 mark a perpendicular line 15 cms long. Mark 1.5 cms to
either side of point 14 and connect both these points to point 15 with straight
lines. This will be the back dart.
From Point 3 to 16 mark ¼ of the waist measurement - 1cm + 3cm - 0.5.
Connect Points 6 to 16 with a straight line.

4. FRONT BODICE PATTERN
Draw a rectangle using the following measurements: Point 1 to 2 = ¼ bust measurement + 1cm + 0.5
cm (for ease). Point 1 to 3 = front waist length. Now close off the rectangle making sure it is perfectly
squared (each corner should be a 90º angle). Note: this rectangle is NOT the same size as the one for
the back pattern. It is probably a bit longer and wider.
From Point 3 to 5 and 4 to 6 mark the side length. Connect points 5 and 6 with a straight line.
From Point 2 to 8 and 6 to 7 mark in 5 cms. Connect point 7 to 8 with a straight line.
From Point 7 to 9 mark up 6 cms.
From Point 1 to 10 apply one-tenth the waist measurement + 1 cm. From Point 1 to 11 apply one-tenth
tenth the waist measurement. Connect points 10 to 11 with a curve. This is the front neckhole.
From Point 2 to 12 move down 9 cms. Connect point 11 to 12 with a straight line.
From Point 5 to 13 mark ½ the bust separation.
From Point 11 to 14 mark down 5 cms. Then from Point 14 move down another 6 cms and mark
that Point 15. Connect both points 14 and 15 to point 13 using straight lines. (This is the front dart, 6
cms deep.)
From Point 3 to 16 mark in to the same measurement as 5 to 13. Draw a vertical line Point 16 to 17. This

5. Connect Points 12, 9 and 6 witha curve. This is the armhole.
Cut out the pattern EXCEPT leave the 3 cm margin at the top shoulder. Close the shoulder dart, folding the
flap in the back towards the armhole. Tape it shut then redraw the shoulder line. Cut straight across the new
shoulder line. (Explained in Lesson 2).