The Miss Ruby Tuesday dress is a fantastically versatile knit ladies dress pattern. This post will feature some of the basics we need to go to get started on your Miss Ruby Tuesday (MRT)

The MRT dress pattern covers sizes 2xs – 6xl (77cm/30” to 137cm/54” bust). If you’re outside of those size ranges, never fear, there will be a blog post coming up shortly to help you grade up or down the sizes!

The MRT pattern has some very useful tips for sewing with knit fabrics, and has ver clear diagrams for adding and removing length to all options. And speaking of options, oh my, there are options! There are six different necklines, and each front pattern piece can be match with any back bodice piece! You can choose from vee, scoop and boat neck and switch them up as much as you like.

There are also sleeve options to choose from! There is sleeveless, cap, short, elbow, three quarter, and long sleeve options.

MRT standard pattern options

As if that hat wasn’t enough options, you also get to choose between a half circle skirt or peplum, and a gathered skirt or peplum!

And then there is the add on packs. Oh, the add on packs are wonderful too. They turn the MRT into the only knit dress pattern you’ll ever need. I’ll let the pictures do the talking here.

MRT bodice add on pack options

 

MRT skirt add on pack options

 

Ok, so once you’ve chosen the style you want to make, it’s time to choose fabrics! Hooray! Our sponsor for this sewalong is Lush Fabrics Australia

Lush have a fantastic range of knits suitable for the MRT. The MRT calls for fabric with 75% stretch, which is nearly everything at the lush store, with the exception of the French terry. It does advise that if your fabric has 100% stretch, to go down one size.

Below are some suggested fabrics, from Lush owner, Tracey Faulkner.

This Sassy in Navy is a double brushed polyester. It is smooth and soft and lovely to wear. It has 100% stretch and is also available in red.

Hope in Navy is another double brushed polyester. All the DBP’s on the Lush website have 100% stretch

This Elegance, a Liverpool with about 95% stretch.

And lastly we have Enchanted, an absolutely gorgeous Rayon Spandex with about 85% stretch. I have ordered this one to use for our sewalong!

 

Right, so options and fabrics chosen, it’s time to get printing and taping! I have used the A0 version for mine, so I don’t have too much I can say about the a4 version, other than print at 100% or actual size, and only print the pages you need. There is a handy print guide on page eleven to help you out.

Australin Sewing Advice and inspiration will shortly be publishing an in-depth tutorial for the dress construction! It will be by resident MRT goddess and guest blogger, Christina Matthewson. Christina has made over forty MRT’s, so we’re all in good hands.

Until then,

– Beth W