Day: 7 December 2017

children's clothing, kids clothing, sewing, tween

Hey June Woodstock tee

I’m a bit of a sucker for a novelty fabric, especially when it’s on sale.  I like the idea of fabrics and clothes being fun!  So when this fluoro stretch lace was on the $2 table at Darn Cheap Fabrics I picked up a couple of metres.  I bought a couple of metres of the yellow/green colourway as well, but that it still in stash.  The pink however has been transformed into tees – one for Stella and one for Clare!

Hey June Patterns Woodstock tee in fluoro stretch lace from Darn Cheap Fabrics

So, this is Stella’s tee. It is lace, so it does need something underneath it. Stella has chosen to wear a bright orange and pink crop top under her tee – the colours go exceptionally well! The pattern is the Hey June Patterns Woodstock Swing tee, which is a free pattern I have blogged about before. Once again this is size 12.

Hey June Patterns Woodstock tee in fluoro stretch lace from Darn Cheap Fabrics

Because I was dealing with lace I needed to think carefully about the finishes I would use and how I would construct the tee. I was able to buy matching fluoro thread from Rathdowne Fabrics, and ended up constructing the tee on the overlocker. I used the overlocker to do a rolled hem on the bottom of the tee, and I added strips of the fancy shaped lace edging onto the sleeve edges to act as a hem. I used matching elastic to bind the neckline, in the same way you would use fold over elastic. It wasn’t actually fold over elastic, but was wide enough to achieve a similar result with a bit of persuasion. It would have looked better if I’d pulled it a little tighter during application – but I didn’t, and re-doing it wasn’t really an option.

Hey June Patterns Woodstock tee in fluoro stretch lace from Darn Cheap Fabrics

Garments like this are fun to make. It’s far from perfect, but Stella has worn this one a few times already, so it’s clearly a welcomed addition to her wardrobe. Nothing like a bit of colour!

Hey June Patterns Woodstock tee in fluoro stretch lace from Darn Cheap Fabrics

adult's clothing, sewing

Style Arc Autumn dress

The second that Style Arc released the Autumn dress pattern earlier in the year I popped it into my shopping cart.  There were so many things about it that I loved!  As it turns out I didn’t get it sewn until a couple of weeks ago – but luckily, it was worth the wait.

Style Arc Autumn Dress in double gauze from Clear It

This is the perfect trans-seasonal dress for me. It’s loose, it has shoulder coverage, and such delightful details. That collar! The front V neckline with deep pleat! The amazing back cross-over pleat! A yoke! Curved hemlines! All the fun things.

Style Arc Autumn Dress in double gauze from Clear It

So, what does Style Arc say about this pattern? From the website: You will love this versatile dress that can be worn on any occasion. The knife pleat down the front and the crossed over knife pleat falling from the back yoke makes this dress a flattering alternative to add to your wardrobe. The extended shoulder line along with the stitched front detail, shirt tail hem line and inseam pockets really sets this great dress apart from the rest. FABRIC SUGGESTION Crepe, Silk, Linen, Tencel or any woven dress fabric.

autumn-dress

I chose to sew size 12, and to shorten the dress a bit at those handy lengthen/shorten here lines.  I’d already seen finished versions on a couple of people that had made me pause to considered what might be the best finished length on my 158cm tall frame.  I’m happy with my decision to shorten.

Style Arc Autumn Dress in double gauze from Clear It

This was not a super fast garment to sew. To sew the collar takes a little time, as does setting in the side seam pockets and getting the hemline curves neat and even. But what took me the longest was getting the back pleat right. It’s a very deep pleat – I found it most helpful to look at the markings on the pattern piece and photos/illustrations of the back of the finished dress in order to get it right. Both Mie and Meg have sewn this dress and provide illustrations and explanations of the back pleat if you need some assistance. Like most things, take your time, have a fortifying beverage (I was at Sewjourn when I made this) and just do it!

Style Arc Autumn Dress in double gauze from Clear It

So, on to the fabric. This is cotton double gauze (hence the wrinkles) from Clear It. I bought it a year or so ago – it’s such a wonderful colour! And it’s delightful to wear. It’s probably a little more structured than this dress is designed for, but it still works okay.

Style Arc Autumn Dress in double gauze from Clear It

Looking at these photos I wonder whether this pattern may have benefitted from a forward/rounded shoulder alteration – it looks as though it is slipping back a little on my shoulders. However it didn’t feel like that was an issue when I was wearing it.

Style Arc Autumn Dress in double gauze from Clear It

Mum has put in an order for this dress for summer! I have seen it around the blogs a bit – there are also lovely versions by Katherine and Paola.

Style Arc Autumn Dress in double gauze from Clear It