Tag: Dolman

The Month of Free Patterns

During the month of September 2019 the team at Phee focused on free patterns. The only rules were that the pattern had to be free and utilize Phee Fabrics.

Here’s the thing, the team at Phee works extremely hard behind the scenes to bring everyone all the best of their work. Now, we know the quality at Phee is consistent, so you know what you’re going to get. Pattern designers work hard also and a lot of designers draft with their body shapes in mind and adjust the sizing based on their size block. There are very few designers that take multiple body shapes into account. One of the most challenging things for new and frustrating for experienced sewists is to adjust a pattern to their body. Dealing with an awkward fit and then comes in the concept of making a “muslin”. Typically muslin is a type of fabric but it can also be used to refer to the first one you make, a trial of sorts. Through multiple places I see people asking about using a different fabric as a “muslin”, a cheaper or different base. That will result in a different fit (be forewarned). Another thing that draws people in is FREE! The idea of getting something for free is appealing, it gives you a chance to try a pattern designer before purchasing other patterns from them. These are some of the free patterns our dedicated sewists have worked up for you.

Crystal is wearing the Halla Slim fit Dolman with the Poveglia Ribbing. She made a size 6/8 but says that it’s loose and should have made the size 2/4
Jessica is wearing the Harper Cardigan by Sinclair Patterns with the Light Gray Heathered Cozy French Terry.
Stephanie is wearing the Peg Legs from Pattern for Pirates in olive supplex
Mala is wearing the Magnolia Tee by Sonia Estep Designs in Dark Bisque Rayon Spandex. She graded from a size 22 to a size 26
Elizabeth is wearing a Durango Tank by Hey June in the 13 oz. Cherry Rayon Spandex
Addy is wearing the Verona dress by Little Lizard King in Orchid Rayon Spandex. This pattern is drafted for woven but was made in the same size. While slightly larger it will be good for layering a shirt and/or leggings underneath, as well as next spring/summer.
Joelle is wearing the Thankful top by George & Ginger. This is not available on their website and only can be found in the files of their facebook group.

The slouchy beanie was a free tutorial by Bernina
Due to the ease of the pattern and not wanting the shoulders way too wide, she made a size 8, graded to 10 waist and 6 hips. 

Removed an inch above bust and an inch above hem. Size 8 sleeve, removed .5” in the head and an inch at the short sleeve mark.
Nicole is wearing the Agnes Dress by Halla using the navy rayon spandex

If you have any other free patterns that you have used with Phee please email us at customer.service@pheefabrics.com to be added to this blog

by Categories: Free PatternsTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Cold Shoulder Hack

Posted by Emily Merkel

I am here today showing you how to make a cold shoulder top out of a dolman top you may already have. I am using a super soft and drapey rayon spandex from Phee Fabrics, this is by far my favorite rayon spandex I have ever used. It is such a great feeling fabric with a good weight and drape, perfect for a top that looks a little dressy, but is still super comfy and easy for me to chase the 3 littles around in. I plan on making several more in lots of different colors, its such a great fabric to sew! I may or may not have slept in my top it is so comfy! This being a dolman top it is also super fast to sew, even with the few extra steps to make it a cold shoulder top, meaning it is a double winner in my house!DO9A0889.jpgI am using the Tamara Top by Annelaine, it is one of my most made patterns, it comes with so many options but I just had to make it even better with a simple cold shoulder hack It does need to have dolman sleeves for this method to work.

Ok, let’s get started on making our top into a cold shoulder. Lay your front and back bodice pieces right sides together.DO9A0862

Now we will make the marks on our sleeves. I wanted my hole in the shoulder to start 1.5″ from the neckline, so the first mark I made was 1.75″ from the neckline. I added .25″ to account for the seam allowance of the neckband.

DO9A0863

I then measured from the end of the sleeve 2″ in. This is where the hole will end. I used 2″ since I knew that my hem was going to be 1″. Repeat on the other sleeveDO9A0865

We will now go to the sewing machine and sew just from the neckline to our first mark and the from the second mark to the edge of the sleeve. Leave the middle between the 2 marks unsewn, this is what is going to make our hole for the cold shoulder. Remember to use a stretch stitch here! It can be a zig zag or lightening bolt stitch. Do this to both sleeves.DO9A0866-Edit

Now we want to press the seam down. Also press you seam allowance (mine is 1/4″) down where you left it unsewn, we will topstitch that down to complete our cold shoulder hole. Repeat on all sides.

DO9A0868

It should now look like this.DO9A0870DO9A0869

Now turn over so right side is facing up and topstitch your cold shoulder hole catching that portion you pressed under. I used a coverstitch, but a sewing maching using a stretch stitch or double needle would work great too!

Tip: I like to use tissue paper when I am sewing hems that are close to the fabric edge to help make sure that the sewing machine doesn’t eat my fabric. After you are done sewing you can just tear away the tissue paper.DO9A0872-Edit

You can now finish you top like normal, with the side seams, neckband and hemming! All done and you have this fun cold shoulder top out of any dolman sleeved top!

DO9A0888

by Categories: Techniques, Women's TopsTags: , , , , , Leave a comment