How cool are all the designs from Named Clothing? Way cool.

Inari Crop Tee #1

Here’s my first Inari Crop Tee by Named. The fabric is some kind of woven that my mom will definitely hate. I got this fabric in Sham Shui Po a couple of weekends ago, where I also got this zigzaggy cotton that reminds me of a Missoni print if it were to fall into the hands of a hardcore brony.

I made this in Size 38/US 6/UK 10. I downloaded and printed the PDF pattern from the Named website, then traced it onto parchment paper. But because I wanted French seams, I added 1/4″ to the seam allowance everywhere except for the facings (neck and sleeves) and anything attached to the facings (the neckhole and cuff openings). I used this great tutorial from Grainline Studio to French all the seams (except for the edges of the facings, which I just zigzag-stitched). This top used about 1 yard of 60″-wide fabric. I love the faux rolled-sleeve look very much.

I am definitely making this top again. I also want to make the tee-dress version of this pattern in a Gudetama fabric because I really want a yellow dress. Stay tuned.

The pocket skirt I am wearing in this next picture was made from fabric salvaged from my second dress using the Leini pattern. Scroll down for more.

I like this skirtbecause it reminds me of an old American Apparel skirt I wore a lot at the end of my undergrad. It also reminds me of this fashion blogger Lena that I used to adore (and still do, actually, now that I’m looking at her Instagram feed) and her outfits from, like, 2008.

Leini Dress #1

I made the Leini dress in Size 38/US 6/UK 10 in a light blue chambray. The lining is some red-and-white stripy fabric that I got for $5 HKD per yard. I think it might have plastic in it because when I ironed it at high heat it hardened and smelled real bad. Like, real bad. I’d tried to read through the instruction booklet beforehand, but these are the kinds of instructions that make no sense until you’re actually trying to execute them.

The lining was a bit confusing, especially with the arm holes, but I figured it out. And, dude, this skirt is freaking LONG. Or my legs are real short. Or both. I lopped off a couple of inches before hemming the skirt, but I definitely could have lopped off more. The length is very office lady. How apt. Because I work in an office.

So, everyone, if you’re looking to sew an office lady dress, this is your pattern.

Leini Dress #2

I thought the bodice of my first dress was a bit big, and the elastic waist too high, so I made a second dress with all these brilliant modifications in mind. This second dress is one size smaller than the first, and I lengthened the bodice by two inches. I skipped the lining and used bias binding instead… but accidentally bias-bound the neckline backwards.

The end result was so fugly I didn’t take a photo of it. But I did wear it to dinner with my parents.