Grainline Studio – Lark Dress (Bonus: Brindille & Twig/ Patterns For Pirates)

This post has been a long time coming. It took me ages to make these garments, photograph them and now write my blog post. During that timeframe Guinness got really sick and if you read my last post you know that he passed away, BUT this post isn’t a sad post because this was our last pictures together as a family and Guinness was happy. So this is a happy post and full of love <3 (although the pictures are a bit fuzzy, which is driving me insane but at least there are pictures!)

This pattern is the Lark A-Line Dress. You do have to buy the Lark Tee AND the Lark Dress Variation Package from Grainline Studio. It looks like in the timeframe it took me to make this the price went up. I will say it’s a very well written and versatile pattern, so at least you get your money’s worth.

At the time of making this my measurements were 36-31-40 so I made 8 bust graded to 12 waist and graded to 10 hips. That was too big so I sized the waist down to 10, so in the end I made 8-10-10. I really like that fit much better. I probably should have added an inch or two to the length because it is pretty short. I have this issue with all dresses or shorts, I’m just really tall (5’10”).

The only issue I had with the pattern is that I need to make a swayback adjustment but I honestly have no idea how on a dress like this? I know how on something that has a seam at the waist but no clue on this particular pattern?? If anyone can help me out, please let me know – leave me a comment or a link. I would like to make more of these and correct that issue.

The fabric is from Organic Cotton Plus. They did offer me free fabric in exchange for an honest review. I picked out this navy blue & navy blue circle 100% organic cotton jersey. I ordered the plain navy for banding and necklines but it ended up being less stretchy than I thought. In the end it didn’t even matter because the pattern (Nico’s) called for an elastic waistband anyways. Yay!

I’ve obviously used cotton jersey before but never organic cotton so I was excited to try it out. This fabric a knit interlock and a little thicker than say, Girl Charlee’s jersey. It feels very sturdy as though it will last longer. I pre-washed it and it shrunk about 2 inches but didn’t fade (on cold with high heat drying). The fabric was very easy to work with and I definitely recommend it.

I, of course, had to make something for Nico. When I originally ordered the fabric I wanted to make him something but ended up liking the fabric, stealing it and making something for myself first. Luckily I had enough left over to make him something.

I made him a shirt and board shorts. The shirt pattern is from Brindille & Twig and the shorts are from Patterns For Pirates. Let’s start with the shirt:

This is the basic tee, which I’ve made here, here, here, here, and here. Can you tell that I really, really like this pattern? I made size 2-3T for him and enlarged the neckband width (sometimes it looks a bit too girlie when it’s skinnier). His measurements were chest: 20 3/4″, waist: 20″, height: 36″ and inseam 15 1/2″.

Now the pants. I don’t think I’ve ever made any of Pattern For Pirate’s children’s clothing. These are the Pirate Playground Shorts. I made a size 2 but should have sized up because after lots of wear the booty seam is starting to separate a little 🙁 (His measurements were waist: 20″, hip: 21 1/2″ and height: 36″)

These have front pockets and cute little back pockets. The waistband has elastic in it and the length is that of board shorts. Nico really likes to wear them and looks so cute in them!

By this time he was over the photoshoot, I had to bribe him with gummy bears. The pictures of him digging into his pockets are because I put gummy bears in there! This last picture is of him chewing but I loved it anyways.

* this post contains affiliate links. I received this fabric for free in exchange for my honest opinion. The views in this post are my own and are in no way swayed by Organic Cotton Plus