Panama Tee Dress Testing

Hello and happy November! Don’t even get me started on how it is almost Thanksgiving already ;) So I have a few other things I need to post, but I couldn’t wait any longer to share my most recent pattern testing experience… this time with Alina Design Sewing | Design Co. :) While still in the midst of searching for the perfect tee dress pattern since I made my last one (albeit not looking all THAT hard) ;) I thankfully got the email announcing a tester call for Alina’s newest release, the Panama Tee Dress! It came at the prefect time, too. It was right at the end of my crazy Halloween sewing week and right before I planned to get started on my wedding dress (I told myself November… but again, it’s already almost Thanksgiving… what is happening!?) ;). Anyway, I couldn’t resist. So without further ado, here are the three latest additions to my handmade wardrobe and a new go-to pattern added to the collection…

First up is View A, the classic tee.

The pattern also includes a pocket that I’m thinking about adding to this one, but we’ll see if I get around to it. :)

This fabric was from the Girl Charlee KnitFix group on Facebook and I’ve had it sitting around since June 2015… it’s sad they did away with KnitFix, but it’s probably better for my bank account and ever-growing fabric stash in the long run ;) Plus, I recently discovered Sincerely Rylee and her mystery boxes, so the option for a fix of mystery knits hasn’t gone away entirely!

For this one, I cut a 2 at the bust graded to a 6 at the hips, based on my measurements. The fit is wonderful. And she made the long sleeves long. These are not altered. A-mazing. :) Hence why I went ahead and made a long-sleeve version of every view. It was necessary.

Next up… View B, the knee length tee dress.

I really should’ve ironed my hem before taking photos. It looks perfectly fine ironed ;/ Oh well… got too excited, I guess!

This one I cut a 4 graded to an 8, thinking my fabric was heavier weight and it might need it, but I ended up taking it back in through the hips. The pattern shape was altered slightly in the hips after testing, so I may not have had an issue with the new pattern pieces. Fabric choice makes a huge difference too, though, so just depends :) I also added about an inch and a half to the length (I’m 5’9″ for reference).

The fabric is a 4-way stretch french terry from Cali Fabrics and it’s super comfortable. I wore this out for errands and such the other day and I could pretty much live in it.

Last but definitely not least is View C, the maxi!

This one I also cut a 4 graded to 8, but it’s a rayon/spandex/blend/unknown fabric that is wonderfully drapey, so the sizing was just perfect. This fabric is from my trip to SF a little while back, from FabriX. It is super soft and again, I could live in this. And I will be all day next Thursday when the extra stretch will come in especially handy… ;)