NEW SIZES for Ruby!

Guess what? I have another pattern update to announce today…

I'm so happy to announce that our beloved Ruby PDF pattern is now available in an updated size range! Our BRAND NEW size range includes fourteen sizes (A-N) and is designed to fit chests 32-65 inches [81-165 cm] and hips 35-70 inches [89-178 cm]. I'm excited to have another of our classic pattern favorites join Cleo in this new range!

(and psst…read the whole post, there’s a discount at the end!)

As with Cleo, we've also updated the Ruby instructions to give them a fresh new look -- including adding metric numbers to our charts – and added layers to the pattern pieces so you can select just the size(s) you need when you print them. I also tweaked the fit a bit to add more room at the hips and adjusted the armholes to make the pattern even better!

Ruby is a great, basic beginner's dress or top for woven fabrics. It comes with two length options, dress or top.

Ruby features a contrast yoke and gathers for a comfortable fit without the need for bust darts, zippers, or closures. Armholes and neckline are bias-bound for an easy finish. Two lengths, dress (above the knee) and top (hip length) are included.

Since this pattern first launched in 2013, I’ve posted a number of tutorials for Ruby, including a video series showing how to line the yoke; you can find all of those resources on my Ruby page.


about our new size range

One of the things I’ve been working on for the past year is a new size range for my adult patterns. I wanted to do more than just add more sizes to our existing size range — as many of you know, we have been gradually adding more sizes since 2015 — but I was discovering some limitations to that approach, so I wanted to rework the chart completely. I also wanted to introduce size-neutral labels (“A” and “K” versus “xxs and xl”), eliminate the delineation between “straight sizes” and “plus sizes,” and make the chart more gender-neutral (“chest” versus “bust”).

Waist is not a significant measurement for Ruby as the waist is not fitted; it’s included here in the chart for reference:

The previous Ruby pattern included nine sizes (xxs-xl & plus sizes 1-3) and was designed for waist measurements 33-51" and hip measurements 35-53". The new version of the pattern is designed for chests 32-60 inches [64-152 cm] and hips 35-70 inches [89-178 cm].

You can find the new size and yardage charts for Ruby on the Ruby page on my website.


Let's take a look at a few versions of Ruby from our lovely testers and model…

Amy sewed this gorgeous Ruby out of a velvet lace for the yoke and a sparkly silver Manchester metallic from Robert Kaufman for the main part of the dress. It’s hard to capture the sparkle on camera; it’s a lovely glittery fabric in person. She created a shawl with another piece of the main fabric to dress up the look even more, and she made that amazing hand-beaded jeweled cuff as well.

Amy also lined the yoke to help reinforce the lace.

Sara created a fun top version of Ruby out of this fantastic mushroom print from Kokka:

Jenny has been creating the most stunning ice-dyed fabrics of late, so I was really excited when she used an ice-dyed pink fabric to create this fabulous Ruby dress:

She also made another ice-dyed Ruby dress; for this purple version she added the cap sleeve from Trillium before binding the armholes (such a fun and easy pattern mod)!

Special thanks to Amy (@modernpearlco) for being my Ruby model, and to Jenny (@johassler) and Sara (@sara.fornia) for providing photos for our Ruby re-launch!

You can find more versions of Ruby on Instagram using the #MBRruby and the #rubydressandtop tag.


what if I already purchased Ruby?

If you already purchased the Ruby PDF pattern from our shop in the past, you'll automatically get access to the new sizes. We've sent out an email with an updated link (check your spam folder if you don't see it in your inbox!), or by using the original download link that was sent to you at the time of purchase.

If you purchased the pattern from my shop and didn't receive an automatic update, please hit reply from your purchase email receipt and we'll get you set up with a new link.

This is a PDF-only update. We hope to put the new sizes into print soon!

If you purchased the print pattern from my shop and need the new sizes, please forward your email receipt to me (rae.made@gmail.com) and we'll send you a free PDF copy of the update. Please be patient as we don't know how many requests we will get!


The updated Ruby pattern is available in digital format in my shop now!

PS. If you've been waiting to try this pattern, you're in luck: from now until next Friday, July 29, use the coupon code RUBY20 at checkout to take 20% off the Ruby PDF pattern in my shop. Offer expires Friday, July 29, 2022 at 11:59 EDT.