Inspiration...Gingham Dress

 This is a lovely, linen dress.  Perfect for the warm days.

This is a the Arabella Linen Blend Dress from Boden.  Price tag: $260.00.  Details:  55% linen & 45% cotton blend, machine washable, side pockets, fit & flare, detachable belt, falls to the ankle.

This dress makes me want to purchase some nice navy/white gingham.  Here is the pattern that I think will work;

This is McCall's 6696.  The pattern has lots of options.  The changes I would make is shorten the sleeves, remove the collar, put the neckband on the bias, and lengthen the skirt.  You need to make a belt.  Obviously, if you have a shirt dress pattern already fitted, use it.  Some the money for the fabric and notions.

The fabric makes this version of the inspiration photo  However, you should really head over to Boden and look at all the variations of this dress.  I also like the embroidered one.

As far as actual fabric goes, both Mood and Yardblox has some nice ginghams.  Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful. 

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Linen Skirt

 When the weather is hot, all I want to wear is skirts and dresses.  This skirt is pretty high on the list of things that need to made:

This is the Layla Linen Skirt from Boden.  Price tag: $160.00.  Details:  80% linen - 20% recycled linen,  machine washable, relaxed silhoutte not too loose, sits at natual waist, functional pockets, falls mid-calf, and elastic waist with drawcord fastening.

Love this skirt.  Here is my choice of patterns:

This is the Love Notions Allegro pant/skirt pattern.  The long version is pretty perfect to use for this type of skirt.  Yes, I know the slits are different than the inspiration photo but that is okay.  It would be easy enough to change the center front fold to a seam (do not forget to add the seam allowance).  

Linen fabric is pretty easy to find.  Fabrics-store.com is my favorite linen place. Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

Another Pattern...

 So, I caved yet again on another pattern.  Yes, it was the  Itch to Stitch Brisas Pullover pdf pattern.  Here is the line drawing:

This is a top that I had been thrinking about making.  I was going to purchase new fabric but after seeing the shipping costs I decided to check the stash first.  I think that I found a couple of fabrics that will work well.  Just need to double check the stretch.  Then, find zippers and matching thread.  Hopefully, the thread will not be much of a challenge.  

I have been trying harder to use these patterns that I have purchasing rather than just collecting them.  I am hoping to perhaps sew this over the summer preparing for cool fall days.

This pattern is still on sale through today (April 21,2026).  All discounts still apply so it is a good time to pick up any other pattern you have been eyeing.

I am an Itch to Stitch affiliate.  Any purchases made through the links on this page will result in a small commission at no cost to you.  Thank you!

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Square Neck Dress

 This is a pretty little dress:

This is the Square Neck Occassion Dress from Boden.  Price tag: $270.00.  Details:  fit & flare skirt, falls to low calf, machine washable.

This is a great use for the border prints.  Here is a pattern:

This is Hazel Dress pdf pattern from Seamwork.  It might need to be lengthened to match the inspiration photo.

Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...T-Shirt Dress

 This inspiration is an every day item.  A basic.

This is the Scuba Mini T-Shirt Dress by Lafayette 148 New York.  Price tag: $698.00.  Details: Approximately 36 1/2 inches from shoulder to hem, crewneck, elbow sleeves, on-seam pockets, hem falls above the knee, shift silhouette, invisible back zipper, nylon/polyamide/elastane, hand wash. Model is 5'10".

I love the idea of this dress. A t-shirt dress is perfect for every day. However, the description of this dress seems confusing to me.  It does not seem mini to me and I am okay with that because I do prefer knee length.  The fabric is described as super stretchy with great recovery but it has a back zipper. Personally, I would not go to the trouble of putting a zipper in a t-shirt dress.

As for the pattern, I would say that any loose fitting t-shirt pattern would work. If I make time to re-create this dress using a t-shirt pattern it would probably be this one:

This is the Barrington Boxy Tee by Love Notions.  You get a lot of options with it.  Once it is fitted, all you need to do is add length.  Of course, any pattern that you already own and is fitted is perfect. 

As for the fabric, I am not familar with this particular fabric type.  I do not know if it would actually be cool enough in hot weather.  Do you know?  I would probably use a nice cotton knit but I am certain that I do not have that in the stash. 

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!