Today I’m so excited to launch the Uniform Tunic in size 32! Typically we have a launch sale when releasing a new pattern or size range, but this release corresponds with our Spring Forward sale so it’s even better than usual! From now until Sunday March 17th you can save 25% on all Grainline patterns in our shop. No code needed, discount will be applied at checkout But now, back to the Uniform!
The pattern was designed as a choose your own adventure sewing pattern. While we have provided four options for you, the possibilities are endless as all of the design features mix and match! This makes it easy to sew a version of the pattern that works for you. Choose between your favorite neckline, skirt, sleeve, and pocket option.
We suggest using light to medium weight woven fabrics such as cotton, linen, voile, and chambray; but, we also love how it looks when made up drapier fabrics like tencel or silk noil.
I've provided four example options of how you might mix and match the design features of this pattern to get you started.
Option 1 is a sleeveless and features the rounded neckline, inseam pockets, and straight skirt.
Option 2 features the v-neckline, bracelet sleeves, drop waist seam, and lapped skirt.
Here we're showing Option 3. This option features a round neckline, long-sleeves, inseam pockets, and the lapped skirt.
This is Option 4 on the pattern envelope: a sleeveless v-neck version with a straight skirt.
The Uniform is currently available in sizes 14-32 in PDF Digital format, and will be available in print with our next print run. If you previously purchased the Uniform 14-30 digitally, the pattern has been updated in your account, simply login and re-download your patterns & instructions.
Make sure to use the hashtags #UniformTunic and #GrainlineStudio so we can see your versions! Let us know below what you think of the pattern and the options of the pattern you’re planning to make.
The days are getting longer which means it's time for our yearly sitewide Spring Forward Sale! Each Spring we run this sale to thank you for subscribing to our newsletter and welcoming us into your inbox. This is a perfect time to stock up on patterns for your spring and summer sewing!
Here's the Scoop:
Join me in my first ever Make Nine challenge as I plan out my sewing projects for the year. I’ve raided my stash to pair patterns with fabric and I’m ready to get sewing and revamp my handmade wardrobe! Watch for some sewing inspiration and don’t forget to comment with your Make Nine list or your plans for upcoming projects!
I've rounded them all up today for inspiration as I work on the next Alder pattern variation. I'll have that for you in a few weeks, but in the meantime I hope these get you ready for some spring sewing! The Alder is still 20% off till Sunday night so now's a great time to grab your own copy!
Stand Collar Tutorial (left): You can simply leave the collar off to create a more casual stand collar. This variation requires no pattern alterations, simply don’t cut the upper & under collar pattern pieces and sew the collarstands together along the upper edge without the collar pieces sandwiched between.
V-Neck Tutorial (right): This is a great option if, like me, you’re not into having fabric around your neck. It’s also a bit more casual than a full stand collar and really gives the dress a different look. It's also very easy to execute and you'll feel like a drafting wizard!
A lot of you have been asking if there's a way to add the Archer sleeves onto the Alder and the short answer is yes but not right out of the package. The reasoning behind this is that sleeved and sleeveless garments are drafted differently, not to mention the fact that not all sleeves fit all armholes. With this in mind, I've created tutorials on two ways to make your Archer sleeves work with the Alder.
The first method (right) is much easier and involves blending the upper bodice of the Archer with the Alder. This is a great option if you don't want to fiddle around with armscye adjustments.
If you're looking to really dig in there with your pattern the second tutorial (left) shows you what adjustments you'll need to make the Archer sleeve fit into the Alder armhole. Its definitely more involved, will require some fitting on your part, and I would absolutely recommend making a muslin. But is is doable? Absolutely!
The Alder also makes a great shirt. Since the Alder was drafted to be sleeveless, the only thing you need to do is pick your length, shorten the pattern and sew. We’ve got tutorials on both views A & B on the blog – it’s a great way to add versatility to an already loved pattern! View the View A tutorial here and the View B tutorial here.
One of our most fun Alder tutorials walks you through the process of turning the View B dress bodice into a cute cropped, tie front blouse! It's got great potential on its own or as a layering piece and it's perfect for the warmer weather rapidly approaching!
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I'm so excited to let you all know that as of today the Alder Shirtdress is available in our 14 – 32 D-cup size range! To celebrate this launch we're offering 20% off the Alder from now until Sunday, February 18th at 11:59 CST. No code needed, discount will be automatically applied at checkout.
Now about the Alder! Alder is a loosely fitted, sleeveless shirtdress with two style options. View A falls into an A-Line below the bust and features a curved hem, bust darts, and two breast pockets. View B features the same bodice as View A but with a gathered skirt at the sides and back of the dress.
Grabbing the Alder Patterns
At the moment both size ranges of Alder are only available in PDF format. We've sent the pattern to our printer and expect to have the paper pattern in stock in both size ranges this spring.
If you previously purchased the Alder PDF from us with the intention of grading the pattern up and would like the new size range, please email us at orders@grainlinestudio.com and we will add it to your account. If you purchased a PDF from another online retailer, please email us and include a copy of your receipt.
If you previously purchased a copy of the Alder paper pattern we are unfortunately unable to provide you with a new paper pattern; you can email us for a copy of the PDF pattern at orders@grainlinestudio.com. Again, if you purchased from another retailer, please include a copy of your receipt. Without a receipt we are unfortunately unable to accommodate requests.
We've also updated the 0 – 18 size range to include layered PDFs! If you previously purchased the Alder and would like the new files, just login to your account and redownload your purchase along with the updated instructions. After hearing your feedback we have split the center fronts into separate left and right pieces instead of having you trim the right fronts. Other than that no changes have been made.
Make sure to use the hashtags #aldershirtdress and #grainlinestudio so we can see your versions, or peruse them to get ideas from the thousands of beautiful Alders gracing those feeds!
]]>With the re-release of the Tamarack to include sizes 14-30 I filmed a set of video lessons that guide you through every step of sewing up the Tamarack in real time. Watch the entire thing or just the parts you need help with, either way you're sure to pick up some hot tips! See the Tamarack Video Sew-Along here.
2015 was long enough ago that when we released the original Tamarack sew-along it was photo based. If you're someone who doesn't want to wait for an entire video to play, needs a quick refresher on a step, or just works better off photos, this sew-along is a great resource! See the Tamarack Photo Sew-Along here.
The Tamarack requires many tools & supplies that aren't standard for garment sewing, since you're also quilting, so having a full supply list to look at can be a real help. I've laid out each item you'll need along with links so there's no guessing required! See the Tamarack Supplies List here.
For the Tamarack you're going to need more than just one main fashion fabric. Since you're making essentially a wearable quilt, you're going to need quilting style fabrics, including batting. I've laid out all the fabrics you'll need to make your own Tamarack, as well as explained batting & bias binding in this post. See the fabric suggestions here.
It was pretty difficult to find nice pre-quilted fabric when the Tamarack was originally released but that's changed a lot in the last 8 years and beautiful pre-quilted fabrics can be found relatively easily. Since with pre-quilted fabric you won't need 3 types of fabrics (shell, lining & batting) I put together this little tutorial on yardage. You can see the yardage requirements here.
Somehow I didn't see this one coming when we released the Tamarack but you all are so creative I can't figure out how I didn't realize that creating a quilt top and using it to make a Tamarack was a genius idea! We put together a giant list of popular quilting patterns we've seen used over the last few years in case you want to make your own pieced Tamarack. You can see our list of quilt patterns here.
In addition to choosing fabrics for your jacket, you'll also need to decide how to quilt it. Do you want to keep it simple with horizontal or vertical lines? Diagonal crosshatch? Or something more involved! We gathered some quilting inspiration for you and made a downloadable template so you can sketch out your own quilting designs before you get started on your jacket. You can get inspired here!
Once you've decided on your quilting pattern you'll need to figure out how you plan on quilting it. If you've never quilted before we lay out all the terms, tools, techniques & tips you'll need to get it done. You can read the post here.
So when the Tamarack originally came out lots of people made sure to tell me how ugly it was and that nobody fashionable would ever want to wear a quilted jacket. Well 8 year later I think we all know how that went. Many people also asked how to create the Tamarack without quilting it and for them, I created this little tutorial which you can read here.
I hope you found it helpful to have all this info in one place. Next week I'll be back with a Tamarack Vest tutorial so get ready! That's been one of our most requested tutorials for a bit now and I'm so excited to publish it. Stay tuned for that and if you have any questions about these or other Tamarack things let me know in the comments below!
]]>Today I’m excited to launch the Tamarack Jacket and the Tamarack Collar, Hood & Patch Pocket Add-On in Size 32! We originally released the Tamarack way back in 2015 and I’m so happy that it’s resonated with so many people over the years. To celebrate this added size we’re offering 20% all Tamarack patterns until the end of the month! No code is required, simply add the pattern to your cart and the discount will be applied at checkout. Discount ends January 31st at 11:59 PM CST.
At Grainline we understand that bodies come in all shapes and sizes, and it's important to us that our patterns reflect that diversity. By adding size 32, we are continuing to take steps towards offering a more inclusive range of sizes for our customers. We are still in the process of updating all of our patterns into the new size range and will be rolling more out this year in sizes 14 – 32 which we’re very excited about!
The updated Tamarack & Add-On are currently available as PDF downloads on our website. If you have already purchased the pattern or add-on, you can simply log in to your account and download the updated version. If you haven't purchased the pattern yet, now is the perfect time to do so!
In addition, we are excited to announce that the size 32 option will also be available in print with our next run of Tamarack Jacket tissues. This means that you will soon be able to purchase a physical copy of the pattern in the expanded size range. The Hood, Collar & Patch Pocket Add-On will remain PDF only.
Make sure to use the hashtags #TamarackJacket and #GrainlineStudio if you make your own so we can see your versions, or peruse them to get ideas from the thousands of beautiful Tamaracks gracing those feeds!
]]>I've never participated in the Make Nine challenge before, but after seeing so many of you tag us in your Instagram posts I'm feeling inspired! The last few years have been less than stellar for me creatively but I'm finally getting it back and am excited to do more sewing both for work and for myself. I'm also excited to use up some of my fabric stash I accumulated when I was buying fabric but not sewing. So with that in mind, here are my 2024 Make Nine plans!
1. Grainline Myra Dress I have a flower print rayon from Blackbird Fabrics that I'd been saving for...years...and finally cut this past fall. Then I got sick and it never got sewn up. This is going to be my first project because to me, having something cut out, but not sewn, weighs on my soul in a very gross way.
2. Grainline Cortland Trench About 200 years ago I purchased some Rag & Bone water resistant cotton twill to make a trench coat. Since then we've released the Cortland Trench and the time is now to make this coat a reality before the fabric spontaneously combusts from frustration in my sewing closet.
3. Grainline Austin Dress This one will be made from a cotton/linen blend I also purchased many years ago to make a gathered skirt dress. As with the Cortland, we now have the Austin pattern so it must become that. The fabric has been pre-washed and pressed in my closet since June 2023 so lets get this dress made already!!
4. Paper Theory Olya Shirt I've had this pattern for a while now and have a few fabrics that would work well for it. Just need to do a lil muslin and then go to town. I love sewing shirts and I'm excited to finally try out this community fav!
5. Grainline Corin Top Really want to make a dress length version of View B for easy wearing at the cottage this upcoming summer. I love a lightweight dress I can throw on over a bathing suit up there and I really think this is gonna be a good one. Once again have multiple fabrics for the cause so I'll just need to decide.
6. Chalk & Notch Isle Jeans Let's not talk about my denim stash – it will be used here. The last few years of wide leg, elastic waist pants have not been my fav as a square bodied person. I feel like a walking rectangle, I don't have a waist to hold the elastic in one specific spot, and I don't love it. With that in mind I'm psyched to try out the flare version of the Isle jeans!
7. Paper Theory Block Tee I've been wanting to make this one for a while. It just looks fun to sew and again, have a bunch of fabric that would look great. Looks easy to wear as well which is a huge selling point for me.
8. Grainline Augusta Top I can't believe I haven't made this version yet because I had it in mind while designing the pattern, but I really want a white, drapey, rayon version. Have the fabric, never had the time I guess?
9. Papercut Pinnacle Top The summer before the pandemic I made this top and for some unknown reason, I didn't serge any of the seam allowances. Loved the top, absolutely didn't love my construction, and the thing has now fallen apart. Would love to recreate this top for summer and I'm obviously making the deep V version because as my friends know, I do love a good deep V neck!
So that's what I've got planned! Are you participating in Make Nine this year? If so, what are your plans? If not, what are your plans? Fill me in!
]]>Happy 2024! We're all rested up from our end of the year break and are diving head first into the new year with a call for pattern testers!
We're looking for people to sew upcoming Grainline Studio patterns and provide feedback on the fit, style, and instructions. We welcome individuals of all sizes and skill levels to apply to join our testing team, you absolutely do not need to be a pro to provide valuable feedback!
If you’re interested in becoming a Grainline Studio pattern tester, simply sign up via our Google Form linked here and below, and if selected for a project we’ll send you an email. Unfortunately we'll only be able to notify you when chosen for a project but we've got a year's worth of testing ahead of us so there's plenty of room. We're so excited to work with you!
It's the time of year that many of you have been waiting for, our yearly Give Thanks Sale! We have a lot to be thankful for around Grainline HQ, especially over the past years, but most of all we're thankful for you! We love interacting with each and every one of you who've sewn a pattern, commented on a post, emailed us, etc. This year we're putting on our biggest sale ever:
The fine print: Sale excludes wholesale orders and gift cards. No code needed, discount is automatically applied at checkout. Discount cannot be applied retroactively to orders. Sale runs from Thursday Nov 16th at 12 AM CST to Monday Nov 27th at 11:59 PM CST.
]]>The weather is cooling down which can only mean one thing....it's time to sew coats! Here at Grainline we absolutely love designing, creating, sewing, and wearing coats. They're a great project to really sink your teeth into, and are excellent skill builders as well. Plus we really love cozy season. There's also the fact that you get to proudly display your hard work daily with a coat since they're able to be worn day after day without odd looks from your friends and co-workers 😜
With that in mind we're sharing three of our favorite fall coat patterns! All three are available in sizes 0-18 and 14-32 as well as in both PDF or Print format.
What is there to say about the Tamarack that hasn't already been said? This is one of our all time most popular patterns and allows you to get as creative as you'd like. If you haven't tried it, now's a perfect time to see why it's such a beloved pattern in the sewing community! We also have a hood & collar add-on to be used with the original pattern as well as a free design sheet download which you can use to plan your jacket's quilting before you get started.
The Thayer Jacket is one of my personal favorites, I love how practical and useful this workwear inspired coat is. The topstitching emphasizes the lines of the jacket in a beautiful way, but can easily be done in the same color as your coat if you're worried about your topstitching skills. Either way this is an easy to grab jacket that will keep you warm for seasons to come!
For those of you in slightly milder climates the Cortland Trench is a must-sew! It can be made up in a wide variety of fabric, from a beautiful heavy linen, sturdy cotton twill, drapey rayon blends, and more. I've personally got one on my cutting table in a waterproof cotton twill that I'm really excited about!
]]>Our fall bag sale is blowing away like leaves in the wind! 🍁 Snag your must-have patterns, kits, and notions before end ends tonight!
We're offering 20% off all of our bags from now until Tuesday, October 10th at 11:59 CDT. No code is required, simply add the pattern to your cart and the discount will be applied at checkout.
]]>Our Fall Bag Sale is here, so make the most of it! Get your projects in order by exploring our incredible range of beautifully designed bag patterns & kits. The Stowe, Town, or Field Bag fit the bill perfectly, and with our fabric & notions kits it's never been easier to get into bag making.
We're offering 20% off all of our bags from now until Tuesday, October 10th at 11:59 CDT. No code is required, simply add the pattern to your cart and the discount will be applied at checkout.
]]>If you've put your buttonholes in the wrong side of your button band (like me), needed to reposition them on your garment, or your machine just went off the rails and bailed halfway through making a buttonhole, this video is for you! This is the super easy way that I remove buttonholes without frustration, random seam ripping, or torn fabric threads. Plus you can also make a video of the top thread of your buttonhole being removed in very satisfying fashion!
If you have any questions let me know in the comments below or over on our YouTube channel!
]]>Pattern testing with our community is one of our favorite parts of the pattern development process. We have so much fun and their helpful feedback helps us ensure our patterns are easy to follow, fit well, and are fun to make and wear. We love to see the pattern come to life in the hands of our skilled testers!
]]>Say hello to our newest release, the Myra Top & Dress! I’m so excited to release this pattern, it’s not only a versatile garment, it’s an excellent skill builder as well. To celebrate the launch, we’re offering 20% off the Myra Top & Dress from now until Sunday September 17th at 11:59 CDT. No code is required, simply add the pattern to your cart and the discount will be applied at checkout.
Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let's talk about Mrya! When designing this pattern we wanted to create a simple, yet interesting, slip-dress inspired garment. Because we love interesting details and style lines, rather than a simple front and back, we created beautiful angled seam detailing that wraps around the bodice. Both size ranges of the Myra feature bust darts that echo the line of the angled seam and give you an easy starting point for adjustments.
The front and back necklines of the Myra Top & Dress are both square which gives the garment an updated and modern look without it being too trendy. This neckline is beautiful on its own, but also pairs well with cardigans, blazers, and overshirts. Delicate spaghetti straps sit gracefully in the dip of your shoulders and the length is easily adjustable for your specific body.
We’ve included three lengths in this pattern. View A hits at high hip and pairs well with high waisted jeans, pants, and skirts. View B hits just above the knee and looks great with flowy and slightly more structured fabrics alike. Both Views A and B feature a turned-and-stitched hem. View C is the longest of the three hitting at mid-calf. This version features a slightly deeper hem with a split at the side to aid in walking. I love this version paired with clogs and a cardigan.
The Myra is available as a PDF in our shop in both of our size ranges, 0-18 B-Cup and 14-32 D-Cup. If you need assistance with deciding which size range is right for you, take a peek at our new and improved sizing page. And as always, we’re happy to answer any questions you might have over email.
There is so much more to say about this cute, fun little pattern, but we’ll save that for future posts. Stay tuned for inspiration, fabric ideas, construction tutorials, and pattern alterations and variations! In the meantime our Myra hashtags are #GrainlineMyra and #GrainlineStudio. Hope you all enjoy this pattern as much as I have been!
]]>This is the final lesson in the Austin Sew-Along series, and in it we're marking, measuring & inserting our buttonholes. After that we'll mark our buttonhole placement and attach the buttons both at the sides and the center front neckline. All that's left to do from there is to wear and enjoy your new dress!
During this series we'll cover all aspects involved in creating your own Austin Dress. From fabric selection, help fitting and pattern adjustments, to sewing through the pattern step-by-step, we're covering everything!
If you have any questions let us know in the comments below or over on our YouTube channel!
]]>Today's lesson is all about hemming! We'll start by hemming View A, then graduate to View B. Next we'll topstitch around the outer edge of the sides and armholes. After this all we have left is the buttons & buttonholes!
During this series we'll cover all aspects involved in creating your own Austin Dress. From fabric selection, help fitting and pattern adjustments, to sewing through the pattern step-by-step, we're covering everything!
If you have any questions let us know in the comments below or over on our YouTube channel!
]]>In this lesson we'll be finishing the armholes and creating the button bands. We've got a great trick that allows the binding to flow seamlessly into the button bands, without added bulk, so you won't want to miss this video!
During this series we'll cover all aspects involved in creating your own Austin Dress. From fabric selection, help fitting and pattern adjustments, to sewing through the pattern step-by-step, we're covering everything!
If you have any questions let us know in the comments below or over on our YouTube channel!
]]>We are excited to announce that we have made a significant update to our popular size 14–30 Farrow Dress. We have listened to your feedback and are thrilled to introduce a new size option: size 32! This means that the Farrow is now available in an even wider range of sizes, ensuring that more people can enjoy creating and wearing this stylish and versatile dress.
To celebrate the added size, and as a part of our summer throwback series, we're offering 20% all Farrow patterns until Sunday, July 30th at 11:59 PM CDT. No code is required at checkout, simply add the pattern to your cart and the discount will be applied!
At Grainline we understand that bodies come in all shapes and sizes, and it's important to us that our patterns reflect that diversity. By adding size 32, we are continuing to take steps towards offering a more inclusive range of sizes for our customers. We are still in the process of updating all of our patterns into the new size range and will be rolling more out this fall in sizes 14 – 32 which we’re very excited about!
The updated Farrow is currently available as a PDF download on our website. If you have already purchased the pattern, you can simply log in to your account and download the updated version. If you haven't purchased the pattern yet, now is the perfect time to do so!
In addition, we are excited to announce that the size 32 option will also be available in print with our next run of tissues. This means that you will soon be able to purchase a physical copy of the pattern in the expanded size range.
The Farrow is a versatile and timeless design that can be customized to suit your personal style. Whether you prefer a casual everyday look or a dressier option for special occasions, the Farrow has got you covered.
With its flattering A-line silhouette, comfortable fit, and stylish details, it’s a wardrobe staple that you'll reach for again and again. Plus, with the extended size range, you can now create a dress that fits you perfectly and makes you feel confident and beautiful.
One of the best things about the Farrow is its versatility. You can experiment with different fabrics, colors, and prints to create a dress that truly reflects your personal style. Whether you prefer bold and vibrant prints, classic and understated solids, or combining the two via colorblocking, this pattern allows you to unleash your creativity and make a dress that is uniquely yours.
So what are you waiting for? Head over to our website and check out the updated Farrow Dress. Whether you're a seasoned sewist or just starting out, this pattern is a must-have in your collection. Happy sewing!
]]>Today is another View B lesson – we're assembling and attaching the View B Skirt. We've got hot tips for gathering with ease and pressing those gathers. If you're making View A you can skip this video.
During this series we'll cover all aspects involved in creating your own Austin Dress. From fabric selection, help fitting and pattern adjustments, to sewing through the pattern step-by-step, we're covering everything!
If you have any questions let us know in the comments below or over on our YouTube channel!
]]>In this lesson we're assembling and attaching the View B pockets. This may seem straightforward, and it mostly is, but we've got a trick up our sleeves...using a jig with a press cloth to get super sharp and even pocket edges!
During this series we'll cover all aspects involved in creating your own Austin Dress. From fabric selection, help fitting and pattern adjustments, to sewing through the pattern step-by-step, we're covering everything!
If you have any questions let us know in the comments below or over on our YouTube channel!
]]>In this lesson we're assembling the View A Skirt, adding our edgestitching and topstitching, then attaching it to the bodice. If you're making View B you can skip this lesson.
During this series we'll cover all aspects involved in creating your own Austin Dress. From fabric selection, help fitting and pattern adjustments, to sewing through the pattern step-by-step, we're covering everything!
If you have any questions let us know in the comments below or over on our YouTube channel!
]]>In this lesson we're applying the neckline binding, inserting the elastic cord button loop, and adding our top and edgestitching to the bodice.
During this series we'll cover all aspects involved in creating your own Austin Dress. From fabric selection, help fitting and pattern adjustments, to sewing through the pattern step-by-step, we're covering everything!
If you have any questions let us know in the comments below or over on our YouTube channel!
]]>Today we get to start sewing! Watch as we sew the center front and back seams, create our darts, then sew up the shoulder seams.
During this series we'll cover all aspects involved in creating your own Austin Dress. From fabric selection, help fitting and pattern adjustments, to sewing through the pattern step-by-step, we're covering everything!
If you have any questions let us know in the comments below or over on our YouTube channel!
]]>This 4th lesson is all about interfacing. Learn how we choose interfacing, best practices for cutting, and how to apply it. This is the last step before we start sewing!
During this series we'll cover all aspects involved in creating your own Austin Dress. From fabric selection, help fitting and pattern adjustments, to sewing through the pattern step-by-step, we're covering everything!
If you have any questions let us know in the comments below or over on our YouTube channel!
]]>It's time for Day 3 of the Austin Sew-Along! In today's lesson we're cutting our fabric! Watch as we discuss layout, best practices, and more.
During this series we'll cover all aspects involved in creating your own Austin Dress. From fabric selection, help fitting and pattern adjustments, to sewing through the pattern step-by-step, we're covering everything!
If you have any questions let us know in the comments below or over on our YouTube channel!
]]>Our next Austin lesson is now live on YouTube and we're covering everything you need to know about choosing a size and making basic pattern adjustments. In this lesson we cover accurately taking measurements, blending between sizes, lengthening, shortening, and full & small bust adjustments.
During this series we'll cover all aspects involved in creating your own Austin Dress. From fabric selection, help fitting and pattern adjustments, to sewing through the pattern step-by-step, we're covering everything!
If you have any questions let us know in the comments below or over on our YouTube channel!
]]>The first episode of the Austin Dress Sew-Along is now live on YouTube!
During this series we'll cover all aspects involved in creating your own Austin Dress. From fabric selection, help fitting and pattern adjustments, to sewing through the pattern step-by-step, we're covering everything!
In this first video in the series we're discussing everything you need to create your own Austin Dress. Give it a watch and let me know if you have any questions in the comments below or over on YouTube. I'm so excited to sew this one along with you!
]]>With that in mind today’s post is all about the fabrics we used to create our sample Austin Dresses. My hope is that by walking you through the fiber contents, weights, and drapes we chose it will help you make a more informed and confident decision when choosing a fabric for your own Austin Dress!
For Priya's View A Austin Dress we used a deadstock Japanese plain woven tencel from The Fabric Store NZ. This is a lightweight fabric at only 2oz, so we were really excited to see how it would drape with the A-line skirt. As you can see it creates a very soft skirt that floats around the body.
Dani’s View A Austin was made up in this 6.48 oz 100% linen twill from Fancy Tiger Crafts. Although it’s noticeably heavier than Priya’s version, it still has great drape due to the weave of the fabric. We love using a fabric with a beautiful drape for View A to keep the skirt from standing away from the body.
We used Robert Kaufman’s Essex Linen purchased from Hawthorne Supply Co. for Priya’s View B Austin. This 55% linen / 45% cotton fabric is 6.2oz but due to the plain weave it has less drape than the linen twill. It holds the gathers of View B really nicely and we love how it’s more durable, everyday dress in this fabric.
Finally Dani’s View B Austin Dress was made in this Mind the Maker Viscose Twill that we grabbed from Stonemountain & Daughter Fabrics. At 5oz it’s in the middle weight wise of all of our sample fabrics, but it has so much drape due to it being viscose, twill, and the weight. Whereas the Essex made more of a day-to-day dress, fabric like this really elevates the Austin into something more.
Hopefully this information is helpful in choosing the perfect fabric for your own Austin. If you have any questions let us know in the comments below!
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