Wonderful news today – I’m thrilled to let you know that the Rowan Bodysuit and Tee sewing pattern is now available in extended sizes in our 0-20 and Curve 14-30 ranges! This pattern is such a wardrobe basic, the perfect accompaniment to a statement skirt or pair of bottoms, and wonderful for layering under dresses or overalls. I went absolutely nuts when creating the views for this patterns (i love options!). It comes with 6 views, tee and bodysuit options, 3 sleeve lengths and 3 neckline finishes.
I’m going to go through the differences between the Curve pattern and the standard pattern as well as detailing each of the variations, and telling you a little bit about them and how you can use them. We’ve made a few changes to how this pattern is formatted to make it easier for you to take advantage of the modular elements, so I’ll detail those as well!
What has changed?
The pattern pieces have been re-graded to include additional sizes – Rowan originally included 5 sizes, and now includes 11!
We also decided to take this opportunity to update the seam allowance to 1/4″ (6mm). This pattern had previously included 5/8″ (1.5cm) seam allowances, but we have received a lot of feedback over the years that 1/4″ (6mm) seams are easier to deal with for knits, so we have been moving all our knit patterns over to that seam allowance as they are reprinted.
The original vision behind this pattern was for it to be modular, easy for you to hack and change things up and put your own creativity into. With that in mind, we decided to reformat the pattern pieces to make them easier to alter, mix, and match and also to take up less paper as you print them out.
To achieve that we split the pattern pieces at the waistline into bodice and bottom pattern pieces. This means that when deciding which view to make you will need to choose your respective bodice or bottom pieces and tape them together or trace them into one larger piece. If you need to lengthen or shorten the pattern it’s also easier to do it now, as you can either spread or overlap the bodice and bottom pieces at the waistline.
Both 0-20 and Curve 14-30 also now include size layering so that you can choose to print all sizes or just the size you will be cutting out.
How to Merge Pattern Pieces
We’ve created a little diagram to show how easy it is to merge your pattern pieces when choosing your views. This also means that if you decide to create your own hack, like say a gathered dress, you can easily take only the bodice pattern pieces and add a skirt to them.
Whats the difference between 0-20 and Curve 14-30?
As with all of our patterns, Rowan pattern is drafted for a B cup whereas the Rowan Curve is based off our Curve block which is drafted for a D cup.
The Curve pattern is drafted with the same style and design details but with a curvey figure in mind. Key differences for Curve pattern beyond cup size include a higher waistline, more ease in the bicep and bodice, and a longer crotch.
If you find yourself in the crossover of the two ranges in sizes 14-20 we recommend that you choose your pattern based on your cup size and personal ease preferences.
Both patterns come with the same awesome variations and all our tutorials and add on ideas can be applied to either!
If you do find yourself in the crossover 14-20 sizes and I struggling to choose between the two patterns, I thought it might help to provide a bit of visual comparison between them! Personally, I am a visual person, and sometimes seeing something really helps understand it. In this diagram, I am comparing a size 18 from our 0-20 range shown in blue, to the size 18 in the Curve range as shown in pink. I have only shown the short sleeve as there is minimal difference in the long sleeve.
As you can see there is more bodice ease in the Curve pattern, as well as a higher waistline and more bicep room.
If you have found this diagram useful please let me know and we can include similar comparisons in our future pattern releases!
View A Crew Neck Tee with Short Sleeves & View D Crew Neck Bodysuit with Short Sleeves
This view is your classic close fit tee and is the kind of wardrobe staple that just goes with everything in your wardrobe.
If like me you are a chronic shirt tucker and like a smooth waist and knowing your top is going to stay in place, then I would recommend you choose the bodysuit view D. If you’re wanting to wear your tee out, then the View A tee is probably your best bet.
View B V Neck Tee with 3/4 Sleeves & View E V Neck Bodysuit with 3/4 Sleeves
If you prefer tops that aren’t close to your neck, or want a bit more visual interest and a new technique to learn -then the V neck views might be for you!
The V neck is a lovely depth that is flattering but not too low. We have some great tutorials to help you get the neatest finish ever, and this view can also be easily hacked to a scoop neck if you prefer.
As with all the views, you can make the V neck in a tee (B) or a bodysuit (E).
View C Turtleneck with Long Sleeves & View F Turtleneck Bodysuit with long Sleeves
I know I shouldn’t play favorites, but the turtleneck bodysuit is my personal favourite! This was the original view of the pattern in its earliest stages, and still the one I wear the most. This turtleneck is a short modern turtleneck, but can be easily lengthened if you prefer a longer turtleneck that you can fold over or that goes further up your neck.
As with all views you can sew this in a tee (C) or a bodysuit (F). I find the turtleneck bodysuit to be so warm in winter – gotta cover that lower back!
All the Tutorials!
We’ve created so many tutorials to help you sew this pattern over the years and will be adding some great new hacks this month as we celebrate the release of this pattern.
- Inspiration and ideas for sewing your Rowan
- Rowan Pattern tester Roundup
- Rowan Curve Pattern tester Roundup
- Rowan Curve Maker Roundup
- How to stabilise fabric with tissue paper
- How to lengthen or shorten the pattern
- How to sew a V-neck on knit fabric
- How to insert a neck back with a regular sewing machine
- How to sew a snap crotch bodysuit
- Pattern Hack: How to Add Ruffle Shoulders
- Pattern Hack: Rowan maxi dress variation
- Pattern Hack: Scoop neckline variation
- Pattern Hack: Bodycon Dress
- Pattern Hack: 3 Ways to Sew Ringer Tee
- Pattern Hack: Tiered Gathered Dress
I am honestly just so thrilled to be sharing Rowan in ALL the sizes! I love this pattern so much and it makes me so happy that more people can access it now!
If you have any questions at all please let me know in the comments below or send us an email at hello@megannielsen.com
We’d love to see what you’re creating from the Rowan bodysuit and tee pattern or the Rowan Curve bodysuit and tee pattern! Don’t forget to tag your creations #MNRowan and @megannielsenpatterns to share what you’ve been working on, and check out what everyone else is up to!
