Recently, I made a deal with myself to not buy any new patterns or fabric. Then the Fringe Blouse and Dress pattern from Chalk and Notch came along and I forgot all about that little deal. I was seeing the Fringe dress everywhere and knew I had to have it, pattern fasting deal or not! I didn't wait long to buy it because it is exactly my style with a button front and elbow sleeves with button tabs.
The Fringe comes with two views - the button front view or a notched front neckline view. Either view can be made as a blouse or a dress. Both views have a gathered skirt with a curved hem and two different sleeve options. The dress version even has optional pockets! It's a pull on style, but there are front and back bodice darts to help with shaping and you can add optional waist ties.
The Fringe is best suited for fabrics that drape well including rayon challis, cotton voile, and cotton lawn. I really wanted to make the dress version, but did not have enough fabric in my stash, so for now I settled with the blouse version in a drapey rayon challis.
My measurements put me in a size 6 bust and a size 10 waist. After looking at the finished measurements and asking for help in the Chalk and Notch Facebook group, I decided to go with the size 8. I needed the ease so it would fit over my shoulders, but I didn't want it to be too tight or too loose. I did make a quick muslin (not my favorite thing to do, but necessary!) and I found the size 8 to be perfect!
The Fringe was my first Chalk and Notch pattern and I was really impressed. The pattern instructions are very professional and easy to follow. I love the layers function for printing out PDF patterns. I will say that if the pattern says to pin well to keep the facing in place while topstitching then you should do as the pattern says. I try to avoid pinning whenever possible, but in this case I had to unpick some stitching around the curve of the neckline. If I had pinned in the first place (and followed the instructions!) I could have saved myself from spending time with the seam ripper.
I also wanted to be lazy and not sew the buttonholes, since others have said it's possible to get the dress on and off without buttonholes. I was a good sewist however, and made the buttonholes. My machine was nice to me this time and made three perfect buttonholes on the front bodice! We usually get into arguments when it comes to buttonholes.
I decided to sew my entire Fringe Blouse with French seams. I love doing French seams because it makes the inside look so nice and professional. It takes a little more time, but it's so worth it in the end.
I really love how my Fringe Blouse turned out and I can't wait to make a dress version! I'm thinking a solid dress would be really nice. It is getting to be the end of summer, but it's still summer weather here! I think the dress would also work well with layers once the weather does start to get cooler.
What have you been sewing recently? What fabric should I make my Fringe dress version with?
~Elizabeth
