Hello sew-friends! Today I’m sharing another garment from my Make Nine list - the Hadley Top by Grainline Studio. I’m always on the lookout for nice tops that I can pair with jeans or trousers for a quick and easy outfit. I especially love sleeveless styles because they’re easy to wear under a cardigan. I really love the swingy design of this top, it’s a little fancier than the Willow Tank by Grainline (which I’ve made twice!) and it was a pleasure to sew.
This is my third Alder Shirtdress. The first was in 2015 and the second in 2016. So apparently this is a once a year pattern for me! The design of this pattern is so classic that it’s easy to wear year after year and feel like it’s always in style. The pattern is by Grainline Studio and they have a fantastic sewalong to help you through the many steps of making a shirtdress. None of the steps are crazy difficult but they are time consuming. I think that this version is my best stitched one. Practicing techniques really does help you get better at them. If you’re ever a little disappointed with the quality of your stitching the first time you make a garment, remember that the second or third time is bound to be better now that you’ve done some practice.
Today I'm sharing my second attempt at the Alder Shirtdress by Grainline Studio. I love the classic design and this pattern is pretty much always on my to-sew list but it's taken me a while to get it together. I made my first Alder over a year ago and while I love it and wear it sometimes, the fit is not perfect. For this version, I did some pattern alterations and I'm really happy with how it turned out. The great thing about making a pattern more than once, is that you can perfect the fit and practice the skills and techniques used. Making this dress again, has me feeling like I can conquer any button down shirt or dress with ease.
