I refashioned a long scarf coat into this dolman top. The pattern is one I drafted myself using software: Garment Designer. The material was so fragile I had to stabilise every stitch. I dont think the garment will survive much wear because it catches easily, that said, I love the fabric’s Oasis pattern and colour.
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Beautiful top! Nice work on self-drafting the pattern 
It looks lovely on you, it’s a great colour 
@Diane How do you find the Garment Designer software? Is it useful for both knit and woven fabrics?
Garment Designer is brilliant but I believe you need a little bit of knowledge of drafting to get the full use out of it. That said; my limited knowledge of drafting only comes from having adjusted commercial patterns with Full Bust Adjustment, Round Back Adjustments, etc.
I’ve used this software for about three years and love it. It certainly has its quirks but there is a very detailed manual that comes with the software, regular Webinars, and there’s a User’s Group for AUD$40 per year for 12 monthly meet-ups.
When the software loads up, it has a set of standard sizes within the software, and that is a good place to start. It gives you a block without ease based on the measurements chosen, and an overlaid “master” with ease to get you started.
I think the cost of the software is very reasonable when compared to other drafting software. I use mine on an Apple Mac, and there is a version for Windows too.
I hope you give it a try. (I’d enjoy knowing if you decide to give it a go.)
PS: It creates knitting patterns too.
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I’d not heard of it before, but it looks really interesting, I’m so glad you mentioned it in your post!
I do tons of digital alterations using Affinity so I’m very comfortable with that aspect, in fact I seem to spend more time altering and making new versions pretty much every time I sew lately. I’ve been looking into pattern drafting quite a bit and although Garment Designer isn’t cheap, it’s certainly not as costly as a lot of programs out there.
Does the software allow you to build in things like the bust and back adjustments, or do you still alter those separately afterwards?
Hi JanP, The software (Garment Designer is USA based) supplies side bust darts that lines up perfectly with your personal bust location, and then you can resize the dart to the size you need. (I need a very large dart.) The software adjusts the armsye and sleeve automatically to accommodate the resizing of the dart within the software. The software also gives you the ability to change the angle of the dart. I love the French Dart style. The software also has a princess seam utility, both from the shoulder and the armsye, but it’s a bit of a fiddle.
I have a rounded back, and a forward leaning neck. I’ve managed to accommodate the two adjustments within the software by tweaking a “master” block till I got it right. I now have “master” patterns for knit and woven fabric; they fit me perfectly. It all takes time but it’s worth it in the end.
Another wonderful thing about the software is it automatically builds the sleeve. It also has a facility for facings, and extensions.
I haven’t managed to work out how to add plackets, and yokes. I’ll probably do it separately to the software.
Attending the Webinars, and joining the Users’ Group has been fun for me because I love learning and discovering what I call “a soccer goal”. LOL!
Hope my information helps.
Best wishes from Diane, Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia
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That’s super helpful, thanks so much for your detailed reply 
I’m definitely going to look into it more, it sounds like it could be a really good addition to my sewing/fitting workflow and I love learning new software.
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Gorgeous design and I love your print placement too 
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