Mainstream Patterns Usable For Lolita

	A	B	C	D	E	F
1	An asterisk (*) in front of the pattern number notates a pattern that I have not personally used.
2	Pattern Number	Pictures	My Description	Comments from Other Users	Examples	Difficulty Rating (out of 5 stars)
3	Simplicity 2176		This was the first pattern I picked up to use for lolita, and it’s definitely become one of my favorites. This is great for a beginner princess seamed jsk, it requires little to no alteration besides attaching gathered skirt instead of the pattern’s provided skirt and you can easily omit the center back pattern pieces to insert a shirring panel if you so wish. I also made my very first piece of non-lolita wearable clothing with this pattern and five years later still wear it! The nice thing with this pattern is that it’s very easy to add lace around the edges or throw on ruffles or add waist ties without having to change the structure of the dress at all.			*
4	New Look 6048		A pattern I originally picked up for a cosplay has become a staple for lolita for me as well. It’s very similar to Simplicity 2176 in design, just with a sweetheart neckline. It’s kind of the next step up from that pattern and is as versatile as it is, too!			*
5	Simplicity 3673		Having only used this pattern once, I can’t give a ton of advice on it. I found it relatively easy to work with, but wasn’t fond of the slight bagginess in the chest area, though I’m sure you can change the gathering to a dart if you so choose. It’s cute for a classic style but does need to have some fullness added to the skirt.			**
6	* Simplicity 1196		This one makes for a good basic bodice and the skirt seems to have enough fullness, though it does it need to be longer. You could alter the sleeve pattern or attach your own, or leave it sleeveless as a jsk. The double darts on the front are a more unique feature that I imagine could be use to create lacing up the sides using ribbon loops of lace, similar to Haenuli's Antique Angel
7	* Simplicity 1061		The B version of this pattern is a good pattern for a square neckline. You could use the A version as well, however, I would make the straps much skinnier. This is one that you’ll need to chop at the waistline, as well. It also comes with a bolero/jacket pattern that could be made lolita with the addition of ruffles, lace, etc. The lapels on the B version jacket could be rounded to look more lolita.
8	* Lisette 1419		This one has potential to be used for lolita, but I think you would need to remove the keyhole and add a fuller skirt. The peter pan collar is very cute and I imagine this would be nice left sleeveless to wear with thin cardigans during the summer, or to make into an OP. The cropped jacket seems to be loliable as well, but I’m not sure about the baggier fit and the lapels.
9	Simplicity 1537		This has definitely become one of my favorite patterns for a princess seam bodice. This pattern comes in extended plus sizes and I found the neckline to be fairly easy to modify. The best thing about this pattern is that it can be made for cup sizes B-DD without having bagginess in the waist, which is a godsend for busty girls. It’s also relatively true to size, which is rare for me to find in commercial patterns. All you have to do is cut it at the waist and attach a proper skirt.			**
10	* Simplicity 1606		From the same “Amazing Fit” line of patterns as 1537, this one also includes variations for cup sizes. The B version is similar to 1537 but with a higher neckline, which is good for adding collars to and making into an OP. It also comes with a sweetheart neckline version with the option of halter straps or a sheer overlay that would be very cute. This one does not have as low a waistline as 1537, but it still might need shortened a little bit, and of course it needs a fuller skirt.	From an anonymous poster: "I have Simplicity 1606 and it's probably my most used pattern. 10/10 highly recommend. I use both the sweetheart neckline and high neckline.”
11	* Cynthia Rowley 1873		This pattern makes for a good darted bodice and comes with a high neckline or a scoopneck. The skirt is possibly full enough but needs lengthened.	From an anonymous poster: "I also have the Cynthia Rowley 1873 and I only recommend if you really really really like darts. At least for the cap sleeve view.”
12	* Simplicity 1914		This is another Amazing Fit pattern going from cup sizes B to DD. It has a somewhat unusual neckline but a waistline that points in the front similar to several popular brand dresses. I imagine the neckline with the sleeves altered to have a puff at the bottom could make a very pretty medieval - esque classic dress. Like others, this one needs a fuller skirt.
13	* Simplicity 2174		Once again, an Amazing Fit pattern that goes up to a D cup. A princess seamed bodice perfect for jsks and ops, the B or C necklines are better for lolita but I don’t think the A neckline is really useable.
14	* McCall's 6999		The A view of this pattern is a good base for a simple long sleeved, peter pan collar blouse. The rest of this pattern does not seem that usable to me. Maybe the bow from the B view could be used as a waist bow, and i imagine you could use the C view as a guideline for an underskirt, though the skirt itself (not the ruffles) might need to be fuller.
15	* Vogue 8766		This appears to be a good pattern overall, any of the views can be used so long as a proper skirt is attached and more appropriate sleeves added. A or C could be used to make a bustier style dress like Chess Chocolate while B is good for a princess seam bodice and D, E and F are good for a bodice using darts.
16	* New Look 6457		To me this seems like a versatile pattern for princess seamed bodices, with view A and E being very usable, and B and D having potential for other projects as well. The skirt would need fullness added	From Facebook user Lizzie: "usable, but not great. I read Lladybird's review of it which made me aware of the drafting problems with the pattern itself, which really helped me to put something together that worked! (http://lladybird.com/2011/03/28/new-look-patterns-are-wtf/)		***
17	* McCall's 6741		With some fullness added to the skirt as well as some length possibly, this could work really well as a base for a Mary Magdalene style a-line dress. The A view is a good jsk, while you can add different sleeves to the B view for an OP. The C and D views seem like they could be usable as well if you know how to add a bib or peter pan collar and some sleeves.
18	* Kwik Sew 3783
19	* New Look 6910
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