• DIY
  • Videos
  • Articles
  • Round Ups

The Sewing Rabbit

Me Sew Crazy Blog

  • Home
  • About
    • About Me
    • Media Kit
    • Contact
    • Sponsorship & Disclosure
  • diy
    • accessories
    • baby
    • boy
    • fitness
    • girl
    • home decor
    • men
    • no sew
    • technique
    • toy
    • women
  • features
    • Crafts
    • Videos
    • article
    • make this look
    • round up
    • Travel
    • Recipes
    • quiz
  • STYLO
  • holiday
    • christmas
    • easter
    • halloween
    • thanksgiving
    • valentines
    • New Years Eve
    • fourth of july
  • Travel

Get the Sewing Rabbit VIDEO NEWSLETTER -> -> ->

   

MAKE THIS: Farrah Dress

MAKE THIS LOOK: The Farrah Dress

Sometimes you see a sewing pattern, and you simply have to have it. Such was the case with the new Farrah Pattern by Chalk and Notch (keep scrolling for 15% off your pattern).

When the e-mail first came through asking me to be a part of the Chalk and Notch Summer blog tour, my initial response was ‘no’. I had too much on my plate, too many deadlines, too many personal responsibilities, blah, blah, blah. But then the strangest thing happened. I couldn’t get the dang image of the Farrah top and dress pattern out of my head. I started buying fabric with that specific pattern in mind. A few days went by when I realized…I needed to be a part of this tour. I needed to sew this dang dress. (Has that ever happened to you? Please tell me I am not alone here).

Having worked with Chalk and Notch patterns before (click here to see the Waterfall Raglan), my expectations were pretty high for this new pattern. I am not kidding when I say that I get compliments every. single. time. I wear my waterfall raglan out and about. That being said, the women’s Farrah dress did not disappoint.


MAKE THIS LOOK: Farrah Dress

Use coupon code ‘jessica’ for 15% off your Farrah Blouse and Dress pattern purchase!

MAKE THIS LOOK: The Farrah Dress

MAKE THIS LOOK: The Farrah Dress

MAKE THIS LOOK: The Farrah Dress

MAKE THIS LOOK: The Farrah Dress

MAKE THIS LOOK: The Farrah Dress

MAKE THIS LOOK: The Farrah Dress

MAKE THIS LOOK: The Farrah Dress


Please note, this post contains affiliate links.  Affiliate links take no additional money out of your pocket, but rather the company pays me a small percentage of your final purchase.  Affiliate sales help fund bloggers work, giving us a paycheck for our time and effort, which ultimately helps to keep our website running smoothly. I will always try my hardest to give my unbiased opinion on all products, and not let affiliate sales influence my opinion. (If I don’t like it, I don’t post about it.) I appreciate your understanding and support. 

Make this Look: Farrah Dress

  • Time needed: Weekend project (8-10 hours)
  • Skill level: Intermediate

 

MATERIALS:

  • Farrah Blouse and Dress pattern by Chalk and Notch
  • Approximately 3 yards woven fabric with drape (think rayon)
  • 1/2 yd Lightweight interfacing
  • Coordinating thread
  • Measuring tape
  • Fabric scissors / rotary cutter
  • Sewing machine
  • *Optional – Rolled hem foot
  • *Recommended – Serger / overlock machine

 

Use coupon code ‘jessica’ for 15% off your Farrah Blouse and Dress pattern purchase!

 

FABRIC SEEN IN THESE PHOTOS:

  • Cotton and Steel From Porto With Love, Snack Time Rayon Fabric Lavender by Sarah Watts. (Fabric for this tour was generously provided by Miss Matatabi Shop. If you have not already, be sure to check out her incredible fabric shop HERE – your wallet will hate me for it.)

 

THOUGHTS ON THE PATTERN:

Chalk and Notch patterns lived up to my expectations in providing a quality product. Clear, concise instructions, accompanied by perfectly detailed illustrations, made for an intermediate level pattern that sewed together beautifully. There was not a single point where I doubted my steps. The pattern pieces fit together beautifully, and I absolutely loved the underarm godets. I did have trouble ironing them while trying to keep my ruffle from getting wrinkled (as you can see from my pictures), but it is also time for a new iron in my house – and I will try to steam them next time. I love, love, love the fact that there is no zipper or keyhole opening on this dress, but rather that I can simply slip it over my head. I also really loved the construction of the bodice yoke, and how we were able to sew it together without a single seam showing. French seams are optional, bias binding, and more. A serger is definitely recommended for the sewing of this dress, but not necessary. You can simply add a little extra seam allowance on the side seams, and sew french seams there as well.

Pattern alterations – As someone who might be considered ‘height challenged’, I did have to shorten the length on this dress. I tend to like my patterns slightly above the knee, and altered the length accordingly. Furthermore, I brought in the dress width just a smidge to hug my body just a little bit more. With the ruffle extending slightly beyond the shoulders, I wanted to truly let the dress flatter my body and not just hang loose. The hip hugging curves and shortened length helped achieve this look. That is really a personal choice, rather than a necessary one. As with all women’s sewing patterns, I would recommend making a muslin. You do not want to be trying to unpick those side seams, especially with the cool side vent construction, after the fact.

My two regrets – Firstly, I wish I had sewn the lining ruffle. Kicking myself on that one!!  Initially I wanted to keep the ruffle super lightweight and flowy, and opted for the faux rolled hem seam. In retrospect, it would have been much easier to simply sew the optional ruffle lining – and it also would have given me a fun little peek-a-boo ruffle fabric if I had chosen a coordinating fabric. Secondly, I wish I had thought to pattern match the yoke to the dress. It drives my CRAZY seeing the birds cut off at the bodice yoke. Why oh why didn’t I think to cut the dress pattern accordingly, so that the fabric pattern would be more seamless.  Both regrets, totally my fault.

Final thoughts – If you are an intermediate level seamstress, or even an advanced beginner looking to increase your sewing skills, than this dress is a fun challenge. You will love the underarm godets, the side vent construction, the notches, the construction of the yoke, and all of the other professional finishes that make Chalk and Notch stand apart. Furthermore, her body measurements are spot on. What you see is what you get when it comes to a C + N pattern, and I look forward to sewing the blouse version of this pattern to wear with jeans this Fall.

 

If you would like to purchase the Farrah Blouse and Top pattern, use coupon code ‘jessica’ for 15% off your purchase!

 


MAKE THIS LOOK: The Farrah Dress


To see all of the stops on the Chalk and Notch Farrah Summer Tour, see below: 
  • JUNE 19: Helen’s Closet
  • JUNE 20: The Sewing Rabbit
  • JUNE 21: Ginger Peach Studio
  • JUNE 22: Groovy Baby Mama
  • JUNE 23: The Sara Project

CONTEST:
a Rafflecopter giveaway


MAKE THIS LOOK: The Farrah Dress


Thanks so much for stopping by, and until next time…

Happy sewing!

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Google

article// make this look4 Comments

About Jess

When I was a young girl, my nickname was Jessica Rabbit. Fast forward 20 years, and I am married to the love of my life who, as fate would have it, has the last name Abbott. That's me! Jessica R. Abbott - aka, Jess Rabbit. Simply living a happy, yet crazy, love-filled life in Virginia Beach with 3 kids and 1 puppy in tow. Read More…

Subscribe

« Wonder Woman Tank Top DIY
Pool Tote Weekender Style »

Comments

  1. Gabriela says

    June 20, 2017 at 11:52 am

    I can’t get over all of the gorgeous photos, this color is so pretty on you! I’m so glad this pattern was calling your name and that you joined the tour. It was such a pleasure to have you! XO, G

    Reply
  2. Patricia Foley Harbison says

    June 20, 2017 at 1:12 pm

    I think I would purchase the Farrah dress/blouse pattern if it’s affordable for me. I just can’t seem to find a place on this page to purchase it? Its probably right in front of me.:/

    Reply
  3. Lola says

    June 23, 2017 at 7:15 am

    I love the way your dress is. The fit is perfect.
    I am a seamstress and I sew my first dress Farrah, but I would like to adjust it more to the body by the bottom. Can you explain how you have made it narrower please?
    Lola

    Reply
    • Jess says

      June 23, 2017 at 10:18 am

      Hello Lola – when I was cutting out my Farrah dress pattern, I had already altered the pattern to adhere to my specific bust / hip dimensions – gently curving out from the size 8 bust to the 12 hips pattern sizes. When I realized after the fact that I wanted the dress to fit a bit more snug and short, I simply unpicked the side seams up the bottom of the godet, and cut the seams straight down the side. This gave it the more streamlined look. It definitely hugs my hips more, and I cannot gain a single pound – lol, but it looks great! From there I simply brought up the hem, and recut the vent seams (which I had room for thanks to my cut side seam). But BE CAREFUL doing this, as you really need to know where you want the dress to fall prior to cutting the side seams to allot for the new side vent. I hope this helps a little bit! If you need help on drafting a side vent, this is a great tutorial – https://oliverands.com/community/blog/2017/03/side-vent-tutorial.html – Love my Farrah, and I know you will too!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Hello, it’s me.

When I was a young girl, my nickname was Jessica Rabbit. Fast forward 20 years, and I am married to the love of my life who, as fate would have it, has the last name Abbott. That's me! Jessica R Abbott - aka, Jess Rabbit. Read More…

Stay updated!

Popular Categories

  • DIY
  • Videos
  • Articles
  • Round Ups

Some Popular Posts

34 Awesome No Sew Projects

34 Awesome No Sew Projects

Running Belt DIY

Running Belt DIY

How to Ice Dye

How to Ice Dye

Cape Scarf DIY

Cape Scarf DIY

16 Patterns to try in 2016

16 Patterns to try in 2016

Latest from Instagram

Load More...Follow on Instagram

What we’re pinning

Latest from the blog

Aster Shirt

Aster Shirt

Embroidered Handkerchiefs

Embroidered Handkerchiefs

Orange Catarina Dress

Orange Catarina Dress

Freshwater Fruit Dress

Freshwater Fruit Dress

Kimmy Dress Sewing Pattern

Kimmy Dress Sewing Pattern

Copyright © 2019 · Savory theme by Restored 316