Breaking Ground: Seamwork Magazine

Hey, Sewists!  I am so excited to help kick off the Breaking Ground Tour this week.  A huge thank you to Melissa from mahlicadesigns for hosting.  I jumped at the chance to be apart of this tour.  Melissa has put together a great group of sewists, who are all talented.  This week we are all sewing patterns from pattern designers that we have not previously tried.  Our goal is to hopefully introduce some great designers and patterns to you all.

For my first round, I picked the Seamwork Magazine’s Mojave dress pattern.  I have had a subscription to Seamwork for a year and had yet to make any of the patterns I got.  Seamwork Magazine is the brainchild of Sarai, who also runs Colette Patterns.  When you subscribe to the magazine you get two credits which can be used to purchase any of the past Seamwork patterns (1 credit = 1 pattern) or the PDF version of any Colette pattern (3 credits = 1 pattern).  Seamwork patterns are quick, skill building, wardrobe filling patterns.  Each magazine issue has a theme that all the articles and patterns are centered around.  The Mojave dress pattern is from the August 2015 issued, the theme was vintage.  Mojave is a kaftan style dress that is casual with a bit of 70’s flair.  This pattern does come in sizes 0-26 (bust 33-54″).  I applaud Colette and Seamwork for offering options for plus size sewists.

For this version, I decided that I wanted it to be a top instead of a dress.  On me, I measured from my shoulder down to where I wanted the hem to hit.  I used that measurement and added a half inch to the shoulder seam and a half inch to the hem and marked the pattern pieces at that length.  That was the only pattern change that I made.  The Mojave is a well-drafted pattern.  All the marking and pieces matched up perfectly.   I made a size 18 based on the size chart and finished garment measurements and it fits great.  I did not have to make any alterations to fit once it was sewn.  This makes me excited to try more of the Seamwork patterns I have printed off.  I think most of my hesitation in trying them is because I am not a huge fan of PDF patterns.  However, these patterns are all quick and easy with minimal pattern pieces, making it a painless process.

Let’s talk fabric!  I used almost 2 yards of this gorgeous floral print chiffon.  I purchased this fabric from Zinick’s Fabrics in 2015.  It was practically a steal at $3.99 a yard!  I love the print.  I have been holding onto it for 2 years because I just wasn’t sure which pattern to use that would show off this print well.  The Mojave definitely does that.  There are not a lot of pattern pieces, which makes it great for showing off large prints.  The front has a split yoke for the center front and a gathered lower center panel.  This is great for adding a little more fullness to the waist while keeping it more fitted at the bust.  I am for sure going to be making this pattern again and again. I want to make a dress version as a swimsuit cover up and a tunic version maybe adding some buttons to the yoke.

Have you tried any of the Seamwork patterns?  What do you think of them?

Check out the other tour participants!
Anne-Mari Sews, Sewing By Ti, Musings of A Seamstress, Tenille’s Thread, Couturious, Embrace Everyday, Sewing A La Carte