The Sew and Tell Project

I have been so excited to write a blog post about these two patterns and I finally can!

When I went to Quilt Market last fall, I had the pleasure of meeting Lindsey from Sew to Grow Patterns. Lindsay is a talented pattern designer and sewing instructor living in Australia. I love following her Instagram to see where she will go next.

When Art Gallery Fabrics asked me to sew up some women’s rayon looks for their Fusions lookbook, I contacted Lindsay since I immediately thought of her beautiful Bondi Top as suitable for flowy fabrics like Art Gallery’s newest substrate rayon. I used the Millefiori print designed by Pat Bravo Designs.  I think this is actually the first WOVEN top I’ve made for myself on  my sewing journey and it’s love!

The Sew to Grow Bondi top has a simple dolman construction with a flattering curved hem.  I sewed the pattern as designed with two exceptions. I added 2″ for my height at the shorten/lengthen line.  I also prefer to have a slightly longer front on my shirts so I used the back curve as a guide to lengthen and adjust the front curve of the Bondi. The back of my shirt is still longer than the front for a nice high-low look.

I used an Art Gallery Fabrics Denim for my contrast yoke. Art Gallery Denim is always an excellent coordinate for any of the beautiful AGF prints and it flows and drapes beautifully.  I highly recommend the Bondi top for an experienced sewist looking to add some staple pieces to her wardrobe, or for a beginner, interested in learning new techniques: sewing a curved hem, applying bias tape along the neckline, top stitching, and adjusting your pattern to fit.

Even though I have had a very busy life this past month, I had to test the Mini Bondi. It is perfection! Whether you want to do Mommy and Me Bondis or just make a few for your darling girl, you can purchase the Mini Bondi now in PDF format. You can hop over to Lindsay’s IG for the special launch price code.  The paper pattern will release in May if you would prefer. For my American readers, please note the price is in Australian dollars). 

I had purchased this beautiful Art Gallery Fabric’s Sage Voile to make myself a dress. And the dress didn’t turn out the way I wanted, so I was able to get my top out of the skirt!  I love the way the AGF voile drapes, but is still very forgiving to sew.

The mini Bondi includes all the same features as the women’s Bondi plus instructions for lengthening it into a shift dress with instructions to add a drawsting waist. I used the size chart to choose a size 8 for my daughter and lengthened it 2″ inches to accommodate her height. This is a very tween friendly addition to her wardrobe, and she has plans to help me make her a few more to wear this summer.

I am definitely on the hunt for more rayon and voile to make some mommy and me Bondis in the near future. What will you use to make your Bondi or Mini Bondi?

Happy sewing!

Eleri

xoxo