CEFR Level B2-C1
This is not a sponsored post.
I’ve followed Her Packing List for years. Or at least, I read the website for years. If you subscribe to The Variety Page Circular, then you know my feelings about social media. At any rate, I think Brooke Schoenman offers a wonderful service that truly helps people. I think her mission offers so much value that I even worked for her as a freelancer for a bit. Before that, I took the class that is now called Baggage Freedom Express. It was absolutely worth the expense and time commitment. After the class, I joined the HPL Mighty Networks group and haven’t left since. One of the fun things we do to practice packing lightly is an annual rewear challenge. If you’re a member of the group, you get photo templates and support and the fun of doing a challenge in community. (I used a different template here so that I’m not giving away members-only content.) The smart thing to do when starting a rewear challenge is to pick a versatile item like a t-shirt. I was not smart. I gave in to I-Just-Made-This Syndrome and chose a heavy denim duster-dress. If you don’t know, September in the mid-Atlantic area is hot like summer. Most days this month were between 80-90℉.
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CEFR Level C1-C2 All photos are vendor product photos, unless otherwise stated. This is not a sponsored post. The Base Outfit   Over 40 and finally in a life situation to dress to reflect my self-perception A quick browse through fashion content gives this message: Wear what you want. Fashion influencers for women over 40 seem to especially declare this, except for when they’re explaining how to dress to meet conventional expectations.
I agree with the “wear what you want” message. I do, however, think there’s a missing perspective. Or at least, a perspective that I haven’t discovered yet or that gets overshadowed.  There's no such thing |
 Navy long-sleeve tee | Blue and white plaid vest | Dark wash straight leg fitted jeans | Lem's Chukka Grip shoes | Purple quick-dry button-up shirt | Black stretch twill jacket |  Navy long-sleeve tee | Blue and white plaid vest | Dark wash straight leg fitted jeans | Lem's Chukka Grip shoes |
 Navy long-sleeve tee | Dark wash straight leg fitted jeans | Lem's Chukka Grip shoes | Purple quick-dry button-up shirt |  Navy long-sleeve tee | Dark wash straight leg fitted jeans | Lem's Chukka Grip shoes | Black stretch twill jacket |
 Navy long-sleeve tee | Dark wash straight leg fitted jeans | Lem's Chukka Grip shoes |  Blue and white plaid vest | Dark wash straight leg fitted jeans | Lem's Chukka Grip shoes |
 Black long-sleeve tee | Blue and white plaid vest | Dark wash straight leg fitted jeans | Lem's Chukka Grip shoes |  Black long-sleeve tee | Dark wash straight leg fitted jeans | Lem's Chukka Grip shoes |
 Black short-sleeve tee | Blue and white plaid vest | Dark wash straight leg fitted jeans | Lem's Chukka Grip shoes |  Purple quick-dry button-up shirt | Dark wash straight leg fitted jeans | Lem's Chukka Grip shoes |
 Black short-sleeve tee | Dark wash straight leg fitted jeans | Lem's Chukka Grip shoes |
With Worn Medium-Wash Bootcut Jeans
 Black short-sleeve tee | Purple quick-dry button-up shirt | Medium wash bootcut loose jeans | Lem's Chukka Grip shoes |  Purple quick-dry button-up shirt | Blue and white plaid vest | Medium wash bootcut loose jeans | Lem's Chukka Grip shoes |
 Blue and white plaid vest | Black stretch twill jacket | Medium wash bootleg loose jeans | Lem's Chukka Grip shoes |  Navy long-sleeve tee | Black short-sleeve tee | Medium wash bootcut loose jeans | Lem's Chukka Grip shoes |
This is not a paid review. Sinclair Patterns doesn't know I'm writing this post. They might find it after it’s published, but they don’t know I’m writing it.
I am 4 feet, 11 inches tall, but of average-plus width, so I’m always looking for petite sewing patterns or ready-to-wear clothing companies that come in petite plus sizes - bonus points if they’re drafted for a “pear” shape.
Somewhere online, Sinclair Patterns came up as offering a petite pattern range. The Yasmin dress was exactly what I wanted, so I bought the PDF pattern.
I am 4 feet, 11 inches tall, but of average-plus width, so I’m always looking for petite sewing patterns or ready-to-wear clothing companies that come in petite plus sizes - bonus points if they’re drafted for a “pear” shape.
Somewhere online, Sinclair Patterns came up as offering a petite pattern range. The Yasmin dress was exactly what I wanted, so I bought the PDF pattern.
My Thoughts on the Yasmin Pattern
1. Save your sanity and increase the seam allowance.
¼ -inch of knit fabric isn’t enough for the pressure foot to grab consistently when sewing with a normal sewing machine. I can’t comment on how it works with a serger. My fabrics had enough horizontal and vertical stretch that I sewed at ⅜-inch seam allowance without adding to the pattern and nothing was too tight.
2. The bodice may be more petite than a drafting for an average-height torso, but it was still too long for me.
For the green paisley dress, I shortened the bodice by one inch. That puts the waistband under my bustline, as is shown in the pattern photos. It also moves the V up to a place that is comfortable for me.
For the tie-dye and turquoise lace dresses, I did not shorten the bodice. They fit well enough to wear, but I like the look better with the waistband a bit higher.
3. Beginner sewists may struggle.
The instructions come with plenty of photos, but the technical process of putting pleats into knit fabric, especially with a tiny seam allowance, is challenging. Honestly, on the back, I simplified things by using either one large pleat or gathering.
4. Pick your fabrics thoughtfully.
Even as an experienced sewist of knit fabrics, the double-brushed poly was the easiest to work with. I wouldn't recommend a rayon jersey or anything with more than the recommended vertical stretch for your first try.
¼ -inch of knit fabric isn’t enough for the pressure foot to grab consistently when sewing with a normal sewing machine. I can’t comment on how it works with a serger. My fabrics had enough horizontal and vertical stretch that I sewed at ⅜-inch seam allowance without adding to the pattern and nothing was too tight.
2. The bodice may be more petite than a drafting for an average-height torso, but it was still too long for me.
For the green paisley dress, I shortened the bodice by one inch. That puts the waistband under my bustline, as is shown in the pattern photos. It also moves the V up to a place that is comfortable for me.
For the tie-dye and turquoise lace dresses, I did not shorten the bodice. They fit well enough to wear, but I like the look better with the waistband a bit higher.
3. Beginner sewists may struggle.
The instructions come with plenty of photos, but the technical process of putting pleats into knit fabric, especially with a tiny seam allowance, is challenging. Honestly, on the back, I simplified things by using either one large pleat or gathering.
4. Pick your fabrics thoughtfully.
Even as an experienced sewist of knit fabrics, the double-brushed poly was the easiest to work with. I wouldn't recommend a rayon jersey or anything with more than the recommended vertical stretch for your first try.
Is the Yasmin Pattern Good for Petite Plus Sizes?
That depends on your particular version of petite plus. As I said, at under five feet tall, I still had to shorten the bodice.
I can’t comment on how it fits around the waist as drafted. I read the finished garment measurements and graded out two sizes at the waist because I didn’t want negative ease around my stomach. All three knits I used were stretchy enough that this wasn’t strictly needed, but it makes me feel better.
I did find the sleeve pattern to have negative ease in the biceps, no matter what fabric I used. That's not a pro or con since each project and each person's preference is different.
The skirt is a circle skirt, or close to it, so there is plenty of hip room. I have a difference of over 10 inches between my waist and my hips/thighs and had no problems with the fit of the skirt.
I can’t comment on how it fits around the waist as drafted. I read the finished garment measurements and graded out two sizes at the waist because I didn’t want negative ease around my stomach. All three knits I used were stretchy enough that this wasn’t strictly needed, but it makes me feel better.
I did find the sleeve pattern to have negative ease in the biceps, no matter what fabric I used. That's not a pro or con since each project and each person's preference is different.
The skirt is a circle skirt, or close to it, so there is plenty of hip room. I have a difference of over 10 inches between my waist and my hips/thighs and had no problems with the fit of the skirt.
Would I Recommend the Sinclair Yasmin Dress Pattern?
Yes. Caveats are explained above. Otherwise, I love how versatile this dress is and how easy the parts are to customize when you have some sewing and drafting knowledge.
You can see the variety I made and how adding piping or contrasting details changes the look. For the green paisley double-brushed poly dress, I altered the sleeve pattern to be a short semi-flutter sleeve. The blue lace dress is ¾-length sleeves, and the rayon jersey tie-dye dress is elbow-length sleeves.
One of the best parts is that since this pattern is drafted for knit fabric, you can have machine-washable, comfortable fancy dresses, like the blue and white one. The white lining is a cotton blend jersey that is so soft and drapey! Easy peasy, no fuss elegance and no ironing!
You can see the variety I made and how adding piping or contrasting details changes the look. For the green paisley double-brushed poly dress, I altered the sleeve pattern to be a short semi-flutter sleeve. The blue lace dress is ¾-length sleeves, and the rayon jersey tie-dye dress is elbow-length sleeves.
One of the best parts is that since this pattern is drafted for knit fabric, you can have machine-washable, comfortable fancy dresses, like the blue and white one. The white lining is a cotton blend jersey that is so soft and drapey! Easy peasy, no fuss elegance and no ironing!
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Jill Hames is a writer, musician, biblical studies teacher, and ESL tutor who finds life too interesting to pick a niche. She has a B.A. in Music and Spanish, a Masters in Library and Information Science, is TEFL.org 168-hour certified to teach English as a second language, and is working towards a Master of Divinity. Jill is a member of Delta Omicron and the International Women's Writing Guild.
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Copyright 2025