Seven, six, five, four, three, two, one!
My love for Pattern Fantastique’s Aeolian T-shirt Dress pattern has been well documented, so today I’ll tell you a story about how this version redeemed itself from the ‘naughty’ to the ‘I love you’ corner of my wardrobe.
Why was this lovely voile, a remnant from Tessuti, from a favourite pattern, in the naughty corner? It was the hem. When I sew a double-fold hem, I use my machine to create a row of stitching that I can use as a guide for turning up the fabric. Even after I sewed this line of stitching I could see that due to the sheerness of the fabric it was slightly gathered but I pressed on (pardon the pun). There was a little bit of fabric wrangling making the double-fold and then an unsightly amount when I stitched it down. But I wasn’t going to let this top beat me. I finished it, hung it in my wardrobe and hated it.
Lara visited soon after and we talked all things sewing. I told her I was going to give the top away because the hem was annoying me and I was unlikely to wear it. Lara insisted I unpick it and redo it. Why hadn’t I considered that? It was time-consuming to unpick but well worth it because I now have a wearable top that I love. Sewing friends are the best!
Some more detailed shots of the top…
And doesn’t it go nicely with my woolen jersey Japanese shrug?
Pattern: Pattern Fantastique’s Aeolian T-shirt Dress (boxy tee length)
Size: S
Fabric: Cotton voile from Tessuti (sold out)
Alterations: Sewn in cotton voile rather than a knit.
Accessories: Shoes by Sonia Rykel (brought here), coloured vintage necklace purchased at an Antique Fair & cornflower blue beads from Manteau Noir
And how many Aeolians have I made to date? Here’s the countdown…
Seven
Three (retired, too big)
One (also in retirement)
I love your colourful Aeolian tees. I am just making a vintage pattern butterick 3030, which looks similar and was getting a bit disheartened. I now realise it is the fabric I have done the toile in, too heavy. I will make my adjustment, then find something super bright and flowy for another try. Thanks for posting all the different photos. I am glad you didn’t scrap the first one, looks lovely.
The right fabric for the right pattern can really make the difference between love and the naughty corner. For me this lesson has been learnt along the way. Your comment is another reminder for me about the importance of toiles. Good luck with your final version.
Amazing how you have created so many different looks with this one pattern. They all suit you so well.
Thanks Jean. It was nice to reflect on all of these & see how many different looks can be made from the one pattern.
I think this one is my favourite of the seven. Glad you bothered to make friends with the hem!
Now that’s a big call Shelley! For me I’m tossing up between the jungle jersey dress & the peanut butter & honey voile.
I’m glad you decided to fix up the hem. The fabric is too pretty to retire to the naughty corner. I think it’s great that you’ve found a pattern you love and have made so many wonderful pieces. I do love that striped one mixed with the print. Too bad it’s too big. Can you resize it, I wonder?
You pick really lovely settings for your photos too!
Thanks Melissa. With my lovely photographer friend the creative process of pattern, fabric to sewn garmant has been extended to include outfit (accessories) photoshoot & blog post.
Sewing friends are the best 😉 Very glad you saved this one, that fabric is delightful. And I adore your ‘Anna’s shrugs’ 😉
Thanks Nic. I’ve been reaching for my shrugs a lot in this changeable weather. Might be time for another one?
Three cheers for sewing friends with solutions! I had a similar experience with Nicole (^) recently who came up with a brilliant fix it for a dress I thought I’d completely ballsed up. Nothing like a pair of fresh eyes, huh?
You have sooo many beauties here! I was looking trough trying to find my favourite, but there are so many winners!
Can you have too many Fab tops? Nope!
It looks ace with shrug/smug/snug 🙂 And I’m so glad you let it out of the naughty corner. What would you have done if you didn’t have one for every day of the week?? 😉
Five, siz, seven, fun! fun! fun! Love them all, and yes, love it layered with your kimono/jacket.
That is quite the collection! This one is gorgeous as always. Love it with that cardigan. Yay a for sewing friends who encourage you to save failed projects.