Another amazing pattern release by Chalk and Notch Patterns. The Farrah dress is beautiful, and feminine and ruffly. It comes in two distinct views one – super cute version with ruffle sleeves and a super stylish version with a front ruffle. Both have a high-low hem with side slit detail. I made both versions and love them both and I think view B is slightly quicker to sew.
As with all of Chalk and Notch patterns, this pattern is expertly drafted and very well explained. What I love most about Gabriela’s patterns even more than how well they are drafted and how beautiful every one of the design features are, is the fact that sewing with chalk and notch patterns give me immense sewing – satisfaction (is that a word?) Whether it’s the plackets and neckline on the Top Knot Romper, the pleat and french seams in the Cascade Maxi, the neat finish on the neckbands of the fishtail Kimono or the curved ruffle on the waterfall Raglan, these are details that I have genuinely enjoyed sewing and garments that I’m proud of.
The Farrah pattern is all that, beautiful mitered hems, fully lined yokes, neatly finished armholes making for a pleasant sewing experience not to mention the fabulous looking garment you get to wear after that!!
When I first saw the sneak peak of the pattern that was to go into testing, I knew I would use this special piece of fabric for that top. Here’s a story behind this fabric – My parents like to send me packages every once in a while. No matter how much I insist that I don’t NEED anything, those packages keep coming in year after year. Packages all the way from India which my dad meticulously packs with rolls and rolls of tape, filled with an assortment of home-ground spice mixes, pickles, home-made sweets, little fabric dolls for my daughter, toys and knick knacks for my son and even shirts for my husband (so he doesn’t feel left out I suppose 😀 ) and above all FABRIC, lots of fabric! Every piece of fabric in that package is special to me, I know how my mom must have ran her hands over that fabric several times, I know how she must have held it in the light to make sure it’s a shade I’d like, I know how much she must have second guessed herself wondering if i’d like it or totally hate it. The thing is I have always loved that fabric, I have always found meaning in using it to make something for my daughter. When I told her how much I loved the rayon challis (Top Knot Maxi) she’d sent me but I was not bold enough to wear a color like that, I know she must have searched high and low to find a similar fabric. So when they sent this navy chevronish rayon challis, I knew this was going to be for ME and for me it became!!
Enough about my mother, lol this should have been a mother’s day post! Back to the pattern. Even though it was the ruffle sleeves that I loved on first sight, I just had to try view B too and I am so glad I did ‘coz I LOVE this front ruffle version in top length a lot!
There’s a gusset under the arms, can you see that? (I hope not 😉 The notches and markings on the pattern pieces are just perfect! everything lines up so well! And don’t you love the slit hem? I just love that detail!
So there’s my two Farrahs! You can get the pattern on sale now at the Chalk and Notch Pattern Shop as well as at the Upcraft Club. Don’t forget check out all the amazing Farrah versions at the Chalk and Notch Website and on instagram with the hashtag #farrahpattern.
Happy Sewing!!!
