Hello friends!

By now you have probably heard about or seen the amazingness that is the Fringe Pattern by Chalk and Notch Patterns. Not so long ago, when I first saw the tester call for the Fishtail Kimono, I had to stop and apply for the pattern test for this new pattern designer Gabriela. Both the style and elegance of such a simple pattern had appealed to me then. Nearly 2 years later, the appeal for me still lies in the style, the elegance and the expert pattern drafting that is Chalk and Notch Patterns. With each pattern that has been released, I think Gabriela has simply outdone herself EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

It makes me incredibly happy and honored to have been associated with Chalk and Notch Patterns from the very beginning. Her patterns and Pattern Tests are nothing short of amazing. The fact that I have been able to meet amazing seamstresses and style icons around the world by way of these tests, has contributed immensely to my sewing journey and understanding of sewing, patterns, fabrics and style and I am really grateful for that.

Okay so without further ado, the Fringe Pattern  which is undoubtedly one of my favorite Women’s patterns is a woven dress and blouse pattern with two views. View A is a button up front blouse/dress with a V shaped neckline, cuffed sleeves and sleeve tabs. View B is a pull over style blouse/dress with a notched front neckline, and turned up cuffed sleeves. Both views include optional dress pockets and optional front or back waist ties. The attached gathered skirt has a nicely curved hemline. The sleeve/cuffs are interchangeable on both views.

This picture below highlights all of my favorite design details of this pattern: the beautiful neckline, the cuffed sleeves and the curved hem 🙂 Despite all the fine details, the construction is rather straightforward, there’s no finicky sewing required to get that perfectly beautiful V-shaped neckline or the button up placket. The sleeves oh these sleeves! I have run out of superlatives to describe how much I love them!

I love these gold buttons which coincidentally were also used on my daughter’s Top Knot Maxi, another favorite Chalk and Notch pattern!

This pattern has just the right proportions of fit and ease without needing zippers and the oh-so-annoying elastic. Gabriela however gives you the genius option of adding ties within the front or back darts so you could cinch in the waist for a more fitted look. For this version, I added those ties and used them only as a decorative detail.

okay sorry you can barely see the ties here but they are there, I promise 😉

The fabric that I picked for this dress is the dreamy Ruthie Rayon challis from LA Finch Fabrics.  You can see Loni’s fabulous version here made in the same fabric in another color way. I think the texture and fluid drape of this fabric do full justice to the pattern. Here’s a little tip that might help for when you’re working with rayon challis next time: I sprayed the entire fabric with starch spray first, pressed well and then proceeded to cut it. That really kept the fabric from shifting during cutting and marking dart points and notches.

Needless to say, I have a few more Fringe tops in the works that I will soon be blogging about but until then don’t forget to check out some fantastic tester versions of the Fringe in the pattern launch post on the Chalk and Notch blog.

The Fringe Dress is now available exclusively at UpCraft Club till the end of the day today, and from Wednesday August 23, 2017, it will be available on the Chalk and Notch Pattern Shop. The release sale pricing ends on August 28, 2017, hurry on and get your own copy of the pattern and join the Fringe party!

Happy Sewing!!!