Dressmaker Pattern Compatibility & Exclusion Guide
Not every bodice accepts every collar or sleeve. In Dressmaker, garment construction follows strict architectural rules defined in the engine’s component definition hierarchy. Learn which pieces connect seamlessly and which are physically excluded.
The Four Garment Structural Slots
The foundational chassis. Dictates whether the garment allows sleeves, defines the waistline seam placement (Natural, Empire, Drop), and establishes the neckline geometry.
Attached at the armscye seam. Disabled when usesSleeves = false (e.g. strapless bustiers, plunge halters).
Framing detail at the neck. Requires compatible throat geometry. High-neck Victorian bodices reject flat Peter Pan or wide Sailor collars.
Anchored to the lower bodice hem. Requires matching waistline circumference. Circle skirts add fluid volume; pencil skirts demand stiff stability.
Engine-Enforced Component Exclusions
| Bodice Silhouette | Sleeve Status | Incompatible Collars | Structural Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strapless Sweetheart Bustier | Forbidden (No Sleeves) | Peter Pan, High Victorian Standing Collar | Lacks shoulder seam anchor point; boning ends at upper chest. |
| High-Neck Victorian Button Bodice | Permitted (All Sleeves) | Plunging Lapel, Deep V-Neck Notch | Front placket buttons close up to the chin; cannot accommodate deep neckline dips. |
| Asymmetric One-Shoulder Bodice | Single Sleeve Only | Symmetrical Sailor Collar, Double Ruffle | One shoulder is exposed; bilateral collars and symmetric sleeve pairs are physically impossible. |
| Empire Waist Folk Bodice | Permitted | Long Drop-Waist Peplums | Waist seam rests directly beneath the bust line (ribcage level), clipping long dropped torsos. |