Learn how to create your own Vampire’s Wife inspired Cate dress with this step-by-step pattern cutting tutorial. Perfect for dressmakers who love vintage silhouettes, puff sleeves, and timeless design.
 
This detailed, clear, step by step video tutorial, originally filmed for Patreon, breaks down the pattern cutting process into 3 parts covering all the steps needed to pattern cut your very own iconic Vampires Wife Cate dress including bodice, sleeves and design details PLUS 1 bonus tutorial, which guides you through some of the specialist sewing techniques you will need to sew your Cate dress.
 
You don’t need  bespoke blocks to begin. A simple pencil skirt pattern, darted bodice and basic sleeve is enough to follow along, making this tutorial approachable and achievable for intermediate pattern cutters.
 
By the end, you’ll have your own reusable bespoke dress pattern that you can return to again and again — adapting it for different fabrics, variations & seasons.
 
No Bespoke Blocks? No Problem!
 
You do not need a bespoke pattern block to follow this tutorial.
If you already have a skirt, bodice and sleeve block — wonderful.
 
But if you don’t, you can simply use:
✔ A basic pencil skirt pattern
✔ A basic darted bodice pattern
✔ A basic sleeve pattern
 
The method I teach works with simple starting shapes, making pattern cutting accessible even if you’ve little experience of drafting a pattern before.
This tutorial is about understanding shape — not complicated drafting systems.
 
What You'll Learn ~
How to work from a simple skirt, bodice and sleeve base/block or pattern
Transforming a bodice and skirt base into a Princess line dress
Step-by-step pattern adjustments on Front & Back bodices to create the signature Vamps Wife Silhouette
Moving darts simply
Creating fullness in sleeves
Calculating and adding ruffles
Understanding ease and flare
Adjusting length and silhouette
Understanding fit AND proportion and how to make them work for you.
 
Who is this perfect for ~ 
 Intermediate pattern cutters
Anyone wanting better fit without complex drafting
Slow fashion makers building a handmade wardrobe
Lovers of the Vampires Wife ICONIC dress!
 
You only need:
✔ Paper
✔ A ruler
✔ Your measurements
✔ A simple skirt, darted bodice & sleeve pattern (or block if you have one)
No specialist tools required!
 
Outcome ~
✔ A reusable pattern
✔ Skills forever
✔ Better fitting clothes
✔ Your own personalised beautiful Vampires Wife style Cate dress
✔ Confidence in pattern drafting
✔ A versatile wardrobe foundation piece
 
What You Receive
4 Step-by-step downloadable video tutorials
Clear instructions from an educator and pattern cutter with over 30 years combined experience.
Learn at your own pace