The Grainline Blog

Alder Shirtdress band collar pieces pinned and stitched, showing graded seam allowances and trimmed corners before turning

Alder Sew Along: Attaching the Collar

Jen Beeman

Today we'll be assembling and attaching the collar. This post is extremely photo heavy, about 32 photos, so if you're here for the sew along, click below. If not browse...

Alder Sew Along: Attaching the Collar

Jen Beeman

Today we'll be assembling and attaching the collar. This post is extremely photo heavy, about 32 photos, so if you're here for the sew along, click below. If not browse...

Alder Shirtdress in dark denim showing a faux flat-felled side seam, front dart, and patch pocket

Alder Sew Along: Side Seams and Skirts

Jen Beeman

Today we're going to be sewing together the side seams & skirts of both View A & View B. We'll start with view A because that's the easier one. Begin...

Alder Sew Along: Side Seams and Skirts

Jen Beeman

Today we're going to be sewing together the side seams & skirts of both View A & View B. We'll start with view A because that's the easier one. Begin...

Alder Shirtdress denim yoke pieces pinned and partially sewn using the burrito method of yoke attachment

Alder Sew Along: Yoke Method 2

Jen Beeman

This second method of attaching a yoke is also known as the burrito method because everything gets rolled up inside the yokes like a burrito. To start, sew the outer...

Alder Sew Along: Yoke Method 2

Jen Beeman

This second method of attaching a yoke is also known as the burrito method because everything gets rolled up inside the yokes like a burrito. To start, sew the outer...

Alder Shirtdress light-wash denim back yoke seam with a single row of topstitching, laid flat on an ironing board

Alder Sew Along: Yoke Method 1

Jen Beeman

This is the first method you can use to attach your yoke, and the method described in your pattern instructions. To start, select one yoke piece to be the outer...

Alder Sew Along: Yoke Method 1

Jen Beeman

This is the first method you can use to attach your yoke, and the method described in your pattern instructions. To start, select one yoke piece to be the outer...

Alder Shirtdress light-wash denim patch pocket with pointed bottom and topstitched header, showing raw edges before attachment

Alder Sew Along: Darts and Pockets

Jen Beeman

The darts and the pockets on the Alder go hand in hand, since the pocket is placed directly on top of the dart, so today we'll be covering both. Starting...

Alder Sew Along: Darts and Pockets

Jen Beeman

The darts and the pockets on the Alder go hand in hand, since the pocket is placed directly on top of the dart, so today we'll be covering both. Starting...

Alder Shirtdress light-wash denim button band shown from both right and wrong sides, with folded and topstitched edge finish

Alder Sew Along: Assembling Your Button Bands

Jen Beeman

We'll start with the left front button band. Begin by placing your fusible 1" from the edge (between the two fold notches) on the wrong side of the fabric. Fuse...

Alder Sew Along: Assembling Your Button Bands

Jen Beeman

We'll start with the left front button band. Begin by placing your fusible 1" from the edge (between the two fold notches) on the wrong side of the fabric. Fuse...

Alder Shirtdress pattern booklet open to cutting layouts and instructions, with teal highlights and silver dressmaking scissors

Alder Sew Along: Cutting Your Alder

Jen Beeman

Today we're going to be cutting our fabric. I know this post is a little late in the day but there was a bit of a laptop charger malfunction that...

Alder Sew Along: Cutting Your Alder

Jen Beeman

Today we're going to be cutting our fabric. I know this post is a little late in the day but there was a bit of a laptop charger malfunction that...

Two-step diagram showing how to lengthen and shorten Alder Shirtdress pattern pieces along marked lines

Alder Sew Along: Specific Fit Adjustments

Jen Beeman

Today I have a few specific fit adjustments for you, lengthening and shortening the pattern, moving darts, and a full bust adjustment. For all of these images you can click...

Alder Sew Along: Specific Fit Adjustments

Jen Beeman

Today I have a few specific fit adjustments for you, lengthening and shortening the pattern, moving darts, and a full bust adjustment. For all of these images you can click...

Vintage dress form with numbered dashed lines indicating bust, waist, and hip measurement points for Thayer Jacket sizing

Alder Sew Along: Selecting Your Size

Jen Beeman

Today we're going to talk about selecting your size. The first thing you're going to want to do is get some measurements. The three measurements needed to select your size...

Alder Sew Along: Selecting Your Size

Jen Beeman

Today we're going to talk about selecting your size. The first thing you're going to want to do is get some measurements. The three measurements needed to select your size...

Flat lay of Alder Shirtdress sew-along tools: tartan pressing ham, scissors, tailor's chalk, buttonhole chisel, and pins

Alder Sew Along: Fabric & Supplies

Jen Beeman

I want to talk a little bit about the tools and supplies you'll need to complete your Alder. I get a lot of questions about what kind of _fill in...

Alder Sew Along: Fabric & Supplies

Jen Beeman

I want to talk a little bit about the tools and supplies you'll need to complete your Alder. I get a lot of questions about what kind of _fill in...

Two hands holding fabric swatches side by side, comparing interfaced and non-interfaced lightweight silk for sewing

Selecting Interfacing

Jen Beeman

I’ve gotten a few questions about how to select interfacing for the upcoming Alder Sew-Along so I wanted to take a minute and direct you to two older posts I’ve...

Selecting Interfacing

Jen Beeman

I’ve gotten a few questions about how to select interfacing for the upcoming Alder Sew-Along so I wanted to take a minute and direct you to two older posts I’ve...

Woman wearing a sleeveless Alder Shirtdress in cream silk twill with purple geometric print, with collar and chest pocket

Alder Sewalong: Schedule & Badge

Jen Beeman

Well! As of Tuesday night I'm still operating out of boxes and am still coughing like crazy so I'm going to have to start the official sew along on Monday....

Alder Sewalong: Schedule & Badge

Jen Beeman

Well! As of Tuesday night I'm still operating out of boxes and am still coughing like crazy so I'm going to have to start the official sew along on Monday....

Alder Shirtdress pattern Views A and B: long-sleeved and sleeveless versions shown as line drawings with fabric swatches

Alder Sew Along Announcement & Fabric Ideas

Jen Beeman

Are you guys ready for the Alder Shirtdress Sew Along? Well get ready because it'll be starting up next week! We'll be starting on Wednesday and I have plenty of...

Alder Sew Along Announcement & Fabric Ideas

Jen Beeman

Are you guys ready for the Alder Shirtdress Sew Along? Well get ready because it'll be starting up next week! We'll be starting on Wednesday and I have plenty of...