Busty Pattern Review + New Busty Wrap Dress Patterns! | Designer Stitch Jenny & Pippa

When I was creating the Sew Busty Pinterest boards, one suggested pin kept coming up as I pinned Designer Stitch’s boob-friendly designs:

It was the Designer Stitch Jenny Wrap Dress, and it was one of only a handful of patterns by Designer Stitch that didn’t include cup options. But I HAD TO HAVE IT!!!

Designer Stitch’s Ann Grose being a dear friend, I sent her a quick PM, not having looked at the pattern too closely: “Hey Ann, how hard would a full bust adjustment be on the Jenny dress?”

She explained that Jenny was one of her early patterns, before she started offering cup options, that an FBA wouldn’t be too hard, and that she “just needs to do it!”

Well, I had meant me doing an FBA, but if y’all know me at all, you know I’m a lazy sewist … so I was more than happy to let Ann do the work for me! 😂 So off she went to draft garment cup options B-E, and I was more than happy to help in the testing phase!

At the same time, Ann got a bunch of requests (from me and from members of the Sew Busty facebook community) to add cup options to her popular woven wrap dress, the Pippa.

I’m really excited to announce that both the Jenny and the Pippa now have cup options B-E! All of Designer Stitch’s patterns cover waists 23.5-47.5”.

The best part? Designer Stitch patterns are on sale for 50% off with code SALE50 through July 9!

I’ve only made the Jenny so far, so I’m going to give you a little review. Then, we’ll circle back to see both the Jenny and the Pippa on other busty bodies.

The Jenny Dress: A Review

The Jenny is a semi-fitted sheath silhouette with grown-on cap sleeves. The pattern includes two options: A classic option with no bells and whistles, or an option with a wrap front. We’ve already established that I was obsessed with the wrap front, so that’s obviously the route I went.

Having made a bunch of Designer Stitch patterns lately (what can I say, I LOVE that DD cup size option!), I knew that a 3DD graded out to a 4 at the waist by reducing the waist darts. Then, I graded back into a 2 for my bitty booty. I did what I like to call a muslin-ish, where I cut it out and baste it together to see if it’s reasonable. No zipper. No hem. Call it a lazy gal’s toile!

The muslin-ish fit seemed good. The darts were in the right place and it felt like a good size.

Once I made it up in this amazing cotton poplin I had from Mood Fabrics, it was a bit tight about the tummy and hips. I blame it menstruation, which had so rudely reared its ugly head – bloat and all – between when I did my basted up muslin and when I sewed up the real thing. So I moved the seam 1/4″ out on each side, giving me an extra inch of room. The fit was super comfy after that!

I was amazed that, despite me being only 5′ tall, this dress hit right at my knee without length adjustments. That said, all my shortness is really in my legs, and maybe my calfs specifically?

Now, I LOVE this cotton poplin, but if I made this dress again, I’d probably make it in something less subject to wrinkling and bunching. While we were out getting photos (and tea! Always tea!), I was fighting the wrinkles that were appearing from walking around. That’s the downside of cotton, my friend.

Anyway, I freaking LOVE this dress and I adore the cup options that Ann so graciously added!

The Jenny and Pippa on Busty Bodies

Jenny dress

Now, I want to show you the Jenny and Pippa on some various boobalicious bodies:

Sew Busty Community member Kelly is wearing a Jenny in a size 8DD bust, 11 waist and 7 hip. While I use the dart to add room at the waist, Kelly uses a straight grading technique, using the size 11 dart.

Brenda is wearing a 2C bust, graded to a 4 through the waist and hip. She has also lengthened the bodice, done a small sway back adjustment, and lengthened the skirt.

Marieke looks amazing in this brightly-colored frock, doesn’t she?!

And here’s Barbara wearing her gorgeous version of the Jenny!

Pippa dress

Here’s Synthia rocking an animal print top version of the Pippa!

And Marieke with a gorgeous dress-length version.

^Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.