The Faux Collar Top from Sewing Therapy

 

Missed you all, sewing friends! Family, fun and flus  do have a way of getting in the way of blogging but they didn't stop me from sewing! I have some interesting projects finished that I am excited to discuss with you. I have finished two Sewing Therapy "Faux Collar Oversize Button Down Shirts" and have overflowing opinion on them!  I hope you all have spent some lovely holidays with loved ones and are now back to filling the New Year with lots of intentional sewing plans. I can't wait to see what you make as I cruise the web. Let's get going on what I will shorten to the "Popcorn Shirt",  lots easier to write out and say! 

Pattern:

I have been entranced by all the designs by Sara of Sewing Therapy, although she seems to also have another company, Two O Nine,  which sells her designs so that got a bit confusing as I was searching out the pattern for this top. I originally found them on Youtube and they really seem destined for a petite and I like the Asian influence they seem to have. However, they did have their downside. 

I absolutely love my top. It's unique and the fabric is fabulous and is much more appreciated IRL.  I've recieved many compliments on it.  I've read reviews from others and they seem overwhelmingly in love with the pattern as well. Maybe it's a case of you don't know what you don't know but the actual pattern instructions leave a lot to be desired. 

I used US size 0, the smallest size,  which gave a finished bust of 45.3 in., waist and hips of 49.3 in. and a back length of 23.3 inches  for the tucked version. I was making the cropped version but highly recommend cutting the tucked version so you can adjust the length to your liking further on at the end.  As you can see this top is truly oversized so no fit issues unless you don't care for that sort of fit. It is to be expected to be very large so be prepared. You can see how it fit me, five feet tall and 33, 26 1/2, 36. (sigh........sinking and shrinking). 

I also took this opportunity to try out the grid method of  dealing with PDF patterns. It supposedly gives perfect accuracy, no taping and is quicker.  Not quite, but some good points, so here is a link to help with that: Using grid interfacing to trace PDFs It does involve tape, but I found in a good way. 

Before we go any further. the pattern instruction tells you that you can watch a "detailed step by step sewing tutorial" on Sewing Therapy's youtube channel. While it was there and I watched it several times I did fully expect the instructions that came with the PDF to detailed and step by step as well. Grant you, I could have sewn this shirt without any instructions but this was my first frustration. Next, there was no pattern layout, simply a bullet list of how many pieces to cut of each pattern piece headed by a bolded large "CUT THE PATTERN".  The instructions do, barely, show the layout for taping your printing option. It is so finely printed that it is barely visible. I've never seen anything this poor on any other indie. I have a 4 month old printer full of ink. I went online to look at the pdf there and it was similarly barely visible. You can't read anything on it and the lines are so thin and slight it is hard to tell which piece is what. 

Grainlines were 1 3/4 inches long and you get one per pattern piece. Remember, these are oversized pieces, just ridiculous. 

Worst of all, and feel free to correct me, I could not get this pattern to line up. Turns out once I tried Landscape, everything lined up. I did not find this instruction anywhere, AAackkkk.

The instructions tell you to carefully match the marked edges of the collar and sew together, turn right side out, etc. There are no marks anywhere on this collar. The shapes of the collar are just a bit off from assymetrical so to make a mistake in placement which I did, was easy.....rip rip.  The highly textured fabric surely added to the confusion, but beware. 

Instructions #4 say to align the collar with the right edge of the frt bodice while the video says to align 3/8th of an inch back. oy,,,,,

When it comes to the neckline the directions are simply "Bind the neckline with bias tape." They provide you with a pattern piece to cut the bias for the neckline. I found it far too wide. I did my own thing with the width. You will see how their width works out on iteration #2 of this top. 

The next issue I had with the pattern is the sequence. After the collar  and binding are on,  it  has you install the sleeves, connect the bodices, do sleeve and bottom hems and then attach the button band. I would skip all that and go directly to Attaching the Buttonhole Placket. You will be dealing with much less bulk and it will be a lot easier getting the button holes in without wrestling all that fabric. Crazy instructions! I tried both methods with my two blouses and found method #2 easier, faster and a cleaner finish. Once the buttons and plackets are done, then return to the previous instructions in their order. 

Whew, I'm exhausted. Let's talk the beautiful Fabric. 

Fabric:

The saga continues! I like nothing on our windows, choosing instead to watch the lake, the seasons, and the amazing wildlife we see in our small, country property. Visits from bald eagles, tons of songbirds, bears, otters, so many water birds are always happening and a joy to watch. Hubs believes windows are like people and need to be dressed. I finally succumbed, after great insistence and went shopping with no esxcitement. I ran into Home Goods which I knew would have nothing for a simple kitchen valance and looked at the shower curtains. There it was! A snow white Cynthia Rowley plain white shower curtain, beautiful fabric, lots of beautiful fabric. The valance would take 18 inches and the leftover, a 72x78 inch piece of 100% double gauze  with this incredible, crunchy looking popcorn texture an  was mine! Yahoo! The button bands, binding and hem facings would be 100% cotton organdy I purchased from my Amish friend in NY.  The double gauze was very compliant and the organdy, despite washing was a bit stiff but we managed. I loved the contrast. 

Construction:

Despite the quality of the instructions, this design was quite simple to construct. The collar was brilliant, being tucked into the shoulder seams and front neckline, no futzing at all.  I chose to do Hong Kong seam everywhere but the armscye which was stitched and serged. The hems were all faced with the organdy. 

The sleeves on this top are magnificent and what really sold me on the design. 

They are extremely dropped, wide and are then pulled up with a tab. If you follow Sara's instructions for stitching the tab  and buttonhole placement you will find that it sort of bends out the top of the tab. I didn't like that. On my second top I did my thing and serged the end of the tab and folded it under once and then moved the buttonhole up higher. My trusty Kenmore was able to handle any bulk beautifully. Your inside sleeve and hems will show with this top. 

Because the size is so large and just so near square I ended up placing the side seam on the fold and cut a seam on the center back, my fault totally. The piece being so large and personally being gifted with a long thin neck, I was comfortable putting a seam allowance up center back. I decided to add the pleat as designed but do it in the organdy. I stitched the edges of the the pleat on the inside of the garment to keep it laying nicely and it does. I love this. A pleat out of the popcorn gauze never would have worked. Here you can see me stretching out the side seams to get an idea of the beautiful back and size of this top. It closes and drapes down normally. 

I will add that if you try this pattern: Topstitch both sides of the button plackets. It will look more professional.  Instruction #26 say to press the band installation seam toward the bodice (?) and "understitch/topstitch." Whenever I have done a button band  it has enclosed seams that were pressed toward the band. The inside seam of the band was a bit wider and caught in the topstitching or understitching on top. I don't see how you can enclose the seam if the the seam allowance is pressed toward the bodice and why would you anyway? Is this a translation issue? I don't know but confusing to a beginner for sure.  Also, cut the longer shape and adjust the hem at the end to get the length you want . As far as the slits, they are very short, even on the longer version which is my second iteration. I don't think I will use them next time.

In Conclusion:

In the end, I absolutely love this blouse. I think it is gorgeous. I love the design and the fabric. It was a journey, but isn't it always? Now, my opinion is one formed from a lot of experience which means a lot of expectation. That also includes a lot of hope. I want other sewists to succeed, to find beautiful designs that will fit all sizes from  petite to  Rubinesque beauties. Sewing Theory designs do that. However, let's not give them a sub par product when it comes to instruction. I do think perhaps some of the issue, some, is one of translation. But Sewing Therapy would do well to have some serious editing done by a far more experienced sewist, one who knows what it is like to be a newer or returning stitcher and needs a clearer path to achieving great results with beautiful designs. There are no photos anywhere in the instructions. That would help a lot. This design and others are innovative and beautiful and feminine. Don't dare refer me to the video which I watched numerous times. I paid for the PDF and in doing so expected  clear and professional instruction upon recieving the PDF and its instructions.  If only the video instructions were "good" that should have been stated up front but they were not. 

My recommendation is to try this knowing what I have shown you here. I think you can end up with a beautiful, unique garment......................Happy Sewing

The Pogonip Pullover

I love my Pogonip Pullover by Friday Pattern Company. It is my second adventure using Friday Patterns and I find their quality is consistent and Great! I love this design and it's classic lines will have me making more. Choice of fabrics make it so versatile. It was a simple sew despite  a placket and welt pockets! Here is how it went: 

Fabric:

I went into Joanns several times and each time the beautiful  colors and abstract design of this flannel kept nagging me. What would I make with it? But it was Snuggle flannel. Now I've had inconsistent experiences with Snuggles but this was something new, a softer, definitely higher thread count Snuggle, something they called "Super Snuggle." The price was right at 4.99 so I said WTH and got a couple yards. It washed beautifully, NO shrinkage in this piece at all and the color maintained. I've sewn a lot of snuggle over the years. This is better. The thread count is definitely higher than the old snuggle and it sewed beautifully. Check out this photo. Look for the raw edges. 

After handling it a lot, this is while I was messing with the welt pockets. Throughout, there was next to only the slightest evidence of ravelling. The old snuggle was horrid for ravelling as it was so thin.  I highly recommend Super Snuggle. 

Pattern:

This pattern is the Pogonip Pullover from Friday Pattern Company. This is my second adventure with this company and I have to say they provide an excellent product. I previously made the Donny shirt which you can see  here. Their directions are very clear. I want to stress here that , probably like you, welt pockets are not my favorite sewing technique to play with. I've tried many methods over the years from many different patterns and experts and books. I've never quite found the magic formula. I am here to tell you, it is in this pattern. I am going to make hard copies of  just the welt instructions to keep at hand so I can make more with confidence and success. It was worth buying the pattern for the great lesson on this process. I have now had two successful garments made from Friday Patterns, both of which I hope to make again.  This pattern comes in paper or PDF and I used the PDF. 

You can wear the pullover pulled down over the hips, how you see it above from the back. You can also wear it with the elastic cut a bit shorter, more to fit the waist, my preferred style, and pulled up to the waistline. (That's my beautiful Japanese Maple enjoying its third Autumn in New England right now. )

The cut is full with lots of ease. I  did do a few minor alterations. I made the sleeves an inch and a half shorter than the pattern, my usual change. I also switched from a one inch elastic waistband to a 1 1/2 inch elastic waistband, therefore, I had to cut the fabric waist band wider. I like it that way and did so based on the suggestion of a couple of other makers of this top. That was it for alterations as there is plenty of ease. It is length issues that had my concern. I love how decideing where to unbutton  the placket can give you two very different looks. It also enables the making of this top with lighter fabrics like linens and cottons for warmer months. 

Above is pulled up around my waist. 

Construction:

I really think this can be made by a a beginner who has made a few things. The directions are that clear. There is a seam across the bodice front that makes it all so simple. The top part has the placket and the bottom has the pockets. You work them separately and then stitch that seam across and the front is complete. With no stand, the collar insertion is very simple as well. 

Here is a closeup of the placket. For buttons I chose 3 vintage metallic buttons, classic blazer types. They are all the same size but have slightly different faces. You would never know. Their finishes are exactly the same and I embrace their difference. Since the placket is not inserted, it is quite easy to construct. 

The welts truly do blend into the garment when you make them of the same fabric. I may consider using a contrast the next time I make a Pogonip. I've seen many of these colorblocked and it looks wonderful. No tricks here, just follow the great welt directions.  The only topstitching  I chose to do was on the welts and a bit on the placket. I used the "heinous stitch" on my machine, the one many call the "stretch stitch" that goes back and forth over itself a couple of times. It makes a beautiful topstitch, nice and thick. 

My side, sleeve and armscye seams were all French seams. The construction method used pretty much closes everything else. 

About the only thing I will warn you to be careful of with this design is the pocket installation. You can see here I used a lightweight fabric for my pocket and lining. I saw several makers wish they had put in thinner linings. What I will warn you about is how critical it is to clearly mark the pieces of pocket and pocket lining with side and piece as you see above. These two pieces, the pocket and pocket lining, are only the slightest bit different but different they are so it is really important to get this right. Make sure you mark your pieces the minute you cut them. Critical !!!

In Conclusion: 

This is a great design from a great and reliable pattern company. It is doable without frustration unless you don't mark those pocket pieces. It is versatile as you can make it in fleeces to linens and wear the design year round. Many wear it in linen as a summer top which I plan to do. It can be color blocked or patchworked which brings up all sorts of creative opportunities. Fit is minimal, mostly length issues in the sleeves. I like the wider waistband I made with the inch and a half wide elastic. Don't hesitate to get this pattern. I think you can make it, make it your own creatively and succeed with its construction.  

Happy Fall and Winter Sewing! I have much planned.......................Bunny

My "Donny Shirt"

 

This is my "Donny shirt" and I have a lot to say about it. There is a lot I like about it and some I don't. I am not on the total gung ho bandwagon that so many are but it has many great points. Bear with me as I give my honest opinion. Before I start, know that I will make it again, with a tweak or two. I'll follow the usual review protocol I use. 

Pattern:

This is the "Donny Shirt" from Friday Pattern Company. It was my first time using one of their products. My sister loved hers and encouraged me to get on the bandwagon. Hers is a lovely pastel linen and she wears it well. She agreed with my final assessment. 

This pattern is beautifully drafted. The collar and facing fell wonderfully in to place as did the sleeves. There was no crazy ease on the sleeves, just enough to give you a lovely rounded shape to move over your shoulders. The collar met each notch with just the slightest of ease, just enough to be perfect.  Can we give some lessons to the Big Boys on this, please? I highly commend Friday Pattern company on their pattern drafting and look forward to future projects from them. 

I did add one quarter inch to all seams. Sorry, I like my 5/8th inch seam allowances and consider them necessary for alteration, current and future. It is also something I am totally used to so it works for me. You do you. I like the fudge factor to be there when needed and it made my comfort level soar on an untried pattern. I have seam rulers, which I now use a lot and really like them. 

This is a boxy pattern. I believe the finished bust size for the smallest size, which is what I used, was 40 inches. This was more than enough room so no FBA attempted. I did cut back the shoulder seams a half inch. I also added 1 1/2 inches to the length, based on the suggestion of other reviewers and am glad I did. 

Fabric:

 This entire project was sort of unplanned. I have this habit of looking at my shelves of fabric and making mental note of possibilities while the yardage sits there. I have lots of Essex Linen from Kaufman. I love this fabric and have made many garments from it. I have a fair amount of other linens as well. One day my meandering mind noticed how well the black/ivory Essex looked near some beige linen with black print on it. I pulled them both and on to the cookie sheet they went. I knew they would become something. The cookie sheet, well, that's a whole "nuther' blogpost. While I have a fair amount of black/ivory yardage in this fabric, I pulled a skirt I made back in 2016 from my stash. You see, I can't give up great fabric. I made an almost circle skirt, with pleats, out of this black Essex and literally wore it to death to work, etc. I just got tired of it. There was nothing wrong with it. I was just tired. But was I going to give away all that fabric in this skirt? Heck, no! I washed and folded it and stashed it away with the rest of my linens for a future project. That turned out to be my first Donny Shirt.  ETA: You can see the original skirt Here.

Now if you look at the skirt, you will see that to lay out a pattern is a challenge. There is a lot of bias to deal with. I did manage however. I got the sleeves and fronts from the skirt fronts that originally met at CF with a button opening, as you see above. You can also see that the original skirt had Hong Kong seams. I still had some of that fabric left and would Hong Kong seam the Donny with the same fabric! 

The bodice back of the Donny would necessitate using the center back seam of the skirt, HK seams and all. At least the seams would all match. I moved the ease to the shoulder blade areas because the skirt had darts there and there was the slightest discrepancy in color where they were . The split up gathers hid that beautifully. 

Cons: Yes, the pattern had cons. There is tremendous wasted paper in the instructions. I mean, really? One page just to say. "Let's get sewing". Then there are 3 pages in very fine print to tell ( according to the instructions ) the more experienced sewist, quickly and with no illustrations  the same directions that they give the rest of the world. Why not just give the same directions to all? I'm one of the more experienced. I, others of the same background, have this uncanny ability to glance. We don't need all those extra pages of tiny text to give us directions, separate from other sewists. We can glance, if we choose and scoot thru the directions. Arhhhhhgh,,,,, so much for tree saving! There were other pages I thought unnecessary as well, but I will leave it at this. 

The directions that were not tiny text were very good and I commend them. They are all that is needed. I did appreciate the photos of the garments in two diferent fibers but that could have easily been left on the website. Buying the pattern requires a visit, anyway, to get the pattern. 

Consstruction:

Following the directions here can make anyone succeed. I think the only issue is paying attention to the dots where the collar meets the center front seam. I  thread marked that spot. Other than that it is pretty standard construction. 

The pattern has you press and turn under the edges of the neckline/collar facing. It will later be topstitched. I chose to bind mine with Hong Kong seams in the same fabric as the original skirt. What was funny, that I noticed after having HK'd the facing, is that my seam finish was much narrower than the original seam finish on the skirt. I guess with time and repitition comes improvement. I was always taught that the goal with HK seams was to get them as narrow as possible. I was close enough here. 

I've been doing a lot of French seams lately as well and really like the way they finish a sleeve. That is what you see here. 

Here you can see a little bit of everything. I understiched my neckline with a triple zigzag (thank you Nancy Zieman) and you can see how nicely the collar and facing seams landed right where they needed to be. Really well drafted! 

I chose to bind the hem as well. 

In Conclusion:

Do I like my Donny Shirt? Do I like the pattern? 

I think the pattern is great, other than the waste of paper and ink. To save, keep the instructions on your device or  read thru carefully and only print the pages needed. It's a great pattern, beautifully drafted.

The shirt, I find is just not me, something about the plain-ness of it all. I like the neckline. The black you see above in the neckline is my sports bra, so it is cut low for someone petite. I will adjust that next time I make it. Also, and my sis agreed. there just seems to be something missing from the sleeves. Perhaps too plain for such a lovely collar and pocket? We both decided next time we make it we will add a turn up or cuff of some sort. It just needs more interest to satisfy me but that is me but actually I think it is a matter of balance.  I also think my fabric choice could be a little more colorful but that is me not the pattern. 

All in all, I think the Donny is worth your investment, definitely. Make it your own, jazz up the sleeves. Make the length and cleavage work for you and you have a real winner. And save those trees!.............Happy Sewing, Bunny

A Vintage Blouse, plus more!

 

This blouse, which I love, is made with a vintage pattern! I wore it most of the day today and it just felt so comfortable and I loved the way it fit. Let me tell you all about it.

Like many of you, I watch a lot of youtube videos, sewing, fashion, and other of my interests like cooking and gardening and painting. Lately I've enjoyed watching a vlog titled "Cornwall Pocket Farm". While it covers many aspects of living a simpler life, the effort is performed by a very elegant woman of a certain age. She has the wisdom to make her vlogs strictly stick to topic. Therefore, if you watch her sewing videos, that's all you will get and they are worth watching. She has an elegant demeanor, lovely style and appreciates vintage clothing. Nothing about her is "kitchy" or cartoonish. Her fabrics, colors and jewelry are all very contemporary, at least in my opinion. She sews beautifully and her fit is lovely. She is also a great presenter and you will enjoy watching her. Obviously, I was taken by one blouse she wore and was to the point that I searched it out on ETSY and made my own version. I did View A, top left.  Notice the size is Size Ten. It is a basic bodice, no darts and a small shawl collar. The sleeves are a more traditional width which I changed. The cuffs are buttoned and a very different shape than I've run into before. I did alter for fit and will get into that shortly. To see the blouse she made, click the link above and go to 22:25 where she models an entire vintage ensemble while dancing!

 Fabric:

Our Joanns, one of the super ones, now has a long aisle that is just what they call "premium cottons". This is a cotton lawn from that aisle. I have to say it is so soft and lovely to wear, yet lots of thread to the inch. I fell in love with the print months ago and kept going back to it. I finally caved when I saw the Pocket Farm sewist and bought it for that pattern. It washed beautifully and isn't "hard" at all, a really lovely cotton. I know Joanns' philosophy is to appeal to the masses and therefore it seems their product selection can be rather low quality but if you hunt...........I've gotten some really good values there and you know I am picky. I just lost my awesome, fabulous, very high quality quilt store. I know the good cottons and how they feel and perform. I am seeing some from that store in this "premium" aisle at Joanns. It feels lovely on my skin and washed and dried  beautifully with no shrinkage at all. 

Fit:

I've been unable to find a date for this pattern. Based on the $1.75 price, I'm guessing 70s, early. I bought what was available, a size ten, figuring I could adjust and it was easy. The 10 was for a 32 1/2 inch bust and 34 1/2 inch hip. Both bust and hip measured 40 inches finished. I did not bother doing and FBA. 

However!-- I did my normal petiting of removing  a half inch across the bodice in the front and back about halfway between the apex and the shoulder seam. Next I narrowed the shoulders 3/4 inch on each side. As an afterthought, after putting together the bodice, I decided to add a bit of shaping to the waist area. I used my curve and took out a half inch on each side, so total 2 inches all around and I think that enhanced the fit nicely. Next and last, I updated the blouse by making the sleeves fuller. First,  I shortened them an inch and a half as I do for all long sleeves. Then I laid the sleeve down flat and slit it from wrist, which was nicely shaped, to the sleeve cap seam, an inch and a half each side of center, aka, the shoulder seam dot. I cut all the way through. I spread these two slits two inches wide open, thus adding four more inches of fullness to the sleeve. I backed the opening with more tissue taped in place and then cut out my sleeve. I really like the fullness it added.

Construction:

All seams were French seams, including the sleeves. They ended up a nice 1/4 inch wide. I forgot to take pics, sorry. I've begun doing all my sleeves with French seams and it is gotten really easy at this point. Give it a try. They look so nice inside. 

The cuffs were interfaced with a woven fusible. The shawl collar and front bands used a fusible tricot knit, the better for the collar to turn. I veered off the territory and tried a "new" to me way to do this sort of collar, bad idea. I ended up ripping it out half way and went with the pattern method. It came out nicely after that. 

The cuff pattern was in the shape of a stretched out letter H. This allowed for an extended piece just for the button and buttonhole. The rest of the cuff could either lay flat against the wrist, my choice, or be folded back, the choice of the Pocket Farmer. I did 2 rows of basting for the gathering for the cuff, one outside the seam one inside. This made for nice tiny little gathers. Then, once gathered and arranged, I stitched  the cuff to the sleeve right down the middle. I used plain olive green vintage buttons I had from my button legacy for this blouse. As the pattern suggested, I only topstitched the cuff where it met the sleeve. It was an easy nice cuff to do, no futzing. 

The placket was simple, just the "ole" wrap the slit type. I used their suggested size for the bias strip and it made a nice, easy to install placket. It ironed out nice and flat when done. 

In conclusion:

I like that I can wear this blouse, in or out, belted or not. I like the simplicity of the design, particularly the shawl collar that is a small size, great for a petite! It is comfortable and the fabric is so pretty. I know I will get a lot of use out of this and will probably make another one of these blouses. If you can get a hold of this pattern, I think you will really enjoy making it. I also think you would enjoy following the Cornwall Pocket Farmer. I am not into cartoonish, costume-y vintage which is most of what I see people on line doing. That's fine, but definitely not me. What Pocket Farmer does is far more contemporary and elegant. Check it out. 

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I've begun planning winter sewing and have lots of ideas and fabrics. I will leave you with another one I found recently. It is a flannel, already well washed, NO shrinkage!!! I am thinking of making a Pogonip top with it. Happy Sewing............Bunny

The Bark Cloth Dress

 

I've always had a thing about Bark Cloth fabric. It's a product of my early childhood. I remember seeing its giant motifs and often dark backgrounds usually in draperies hanging in the homes of my parents friends and neighbors in the Deep South where I was born. It has always entranced me and is a design so uniquely American and so "Fifties", all in a good way. Three homes ago, I could not find bark cloth like I wanted to fabricate draperies for the living room of that house when we did a major remodel.  I wanted a black background with BIG flowers. The closest I could find was a Waverly linen that filled the bill nicely but it wasn't bark cloth. I bought the Waverly. 

About five years ago, an aging neighbor needed to relocate to  facility for much needed care and her home went on the market. Her daughters had a wonderful estate sale and I was able to score various lovely fabrics at that event. She clearly was an astute sewist. There was a fabric table with Pendletons, other pure wools and suitings and one panel of bark cloth drapery that looked brand new. I got the whole shebang for about 3 dollars. The daughters were glad to know her fabrics went to someone who appreciated what they were. 

This drapery panel has haunted me ever since. Then in one of my fabric re-orgs, it ended up in a pile next to the teal linen blend and it was meant to be. Now for the pattern. 

Pattern:

In my stash I found this Simplicity pattern that I always wanted to try. I flat measured it and the extra small would work. That is usually where I end up with Big Four. It fits me as View A fits, not just a skim but a loose, slight A-line dress. I really like it. I did not use the tie but would like to try that in the future. It is very comfortable to wear and perfect on a hot summer day in the chosen linen blend. 

Fabric:

I used the bark cloth as my accent panel and the solid is a linen/rayon blend. It does not hold wrinkles and is very comfortable to wear.  I did not have enough bark cloth to make an entire garment so had to be creative with my useage. 

Bark cloth has a fascinating history which you can read about here.   Its origins are African but then it migrated to Indonesia, Japan, Pacific Islands, and then Jamaica. The bark cloth that became fashionable in the 40s-70s was mass manufactured with large flower motifs, cowboy designs, designs that depicted the new "atomic" era and other novelty depictions. That is the fabric I recall. 

 

It has slubs, some of which seem to have a sheen, what you see as white-ish in the photo above. My queen anne's lace blooms are up to ten inches across, a much large depiction than real life. My bark cloth also shows the large leaves, probably the most iconic image found on this fabric. I love the texture, Some slubs seem a bit shiny, others dull. It's ability to take dyes is vivid. I have washed this in the machine on gentle, cool and it came out just fine. 

For more interesting lore on bark cloth, Seam Work has a nice article on line here with some great photos. 

The rest of my dress was a teal linen/rayon blend. I think I may have picked it up at my local and fabulous quilt shop which closed one month ago, tears here. The owner, age 75, told me it was time she finally retire and she could not find anyone, in a nationwide search, that would buy her wonderful shop. We are in uncertain times, people. 

Construction:

This was a very simple dress. The first thing I did, after flat pattern measuring for fit, was to split the front of the dress into two sections, one teal linen, the other all bark cloth.  If you look at the line drawings on the pattern envelope you will see there are pockets. I used one pocket and lined it up so it matched the edge of the bark cloth section  where it met the linen in the dress. Other than this, the construction was pretty inconsequential, no zips, closures, just nothing to fuss over. At the cutting stage I reduced the length a couple of inches. Once completed and hemmed, I did not like the frumpy for me length. I took off two more inches and I like it much better. 

Other changes I made:

I decided to add a tie type of belt. It was a simple fold the fabric to the middle then fold in half and press. After that,  I just topstitched each edge and cut the bottom off at an angle. With a belt, I now needed belt loops. I had a bit of fun with this. I already knew several ways to do belt loops but went on youtube and came up with a ton more. In the end I tried something no one mentioned and it worked great. I went with embroidery floss. I took full strands, 6 ply, and braided them like hair braids. This took three full strands. Once I had a workable length of braided floss strands, I knotted one end. I put the other end into a large eyed embroidery needle. I inserted this into the seam allowance where I wanted my loop, inside the garment. I hadn't sewn the side seams yet. I then made my loop and then came back on the opposite side seam, entered it and knotted off. This was then sewn in more solidly when I sewed the seam together, using a 1.5 stitch length in that area. The braided floss looked really nice and it is very solid. 

I did my label a bit differently as I wanted both labels in the garment, The are set askew and right and left of center. I like it. 

I finished my facing with a triple zigzag and a line of pinking going on the edge. I did this to have no bulk when I ironed. The facing was backed with fusible woven interfacing. This all gave a non bulky flat finish.   All the seams had a Hong Kong finish. 

On the sleeves I used a bias strip of the teal linen to face the edges. 

In this pic above you can see that I topstitched the  edge that meets the linen and then turned and topstitched my pocket which is underneath and in seam. I used the triple stitch for that, the one mistakenly used to sew knits until you learn better ;)  .

In Conclusion:

I like my bark cloth dress, made with my treasured fabric. It is comfortable, easy to wear, doesn't wrinkle in the heat and let's me connect with a younger, far more innocent time. I feel a need to do that in my dotage as I look back on a very interesting life. Innocense is truly priceless and if you can reach back, even with a few stitches, it is so worth it. I am thankful for the innocense I had. 

Happy Sewing,,,,Bunny