Made By A Fabricista: Double Knit Concord T-shirt Dress

Seasonally inappropriate sewing alert!

I've got a long sleeved double knit t-shirt dress for you on this hot, hot midsummer day... I was absolutely melting when taking these photos (hence the sunglasses and wet hair!) but I am in love with my new dress!

When I saw this fabulous NY designer double knit at Fabric Mart, I knew I had to make it mine, whether it was appropriate for the current weather or not. The good thing about living in Vermont is that it may be 100 degrees today, but a week from today it could be 50 degrees... and, as always, winter is coming.

This fabric is amazing: it's a nice, thick cotton/poly/lycra blend with fabulous recovery and a cool three-dimensional texture. I love the abstract geometric print in black, white and navy blue, too. It reminds me a bit of an evil eye.

When I got this fabric, all I could think of was recreating the Cashmerette Concord t-shirt dress that I made last winter. That dress was a personal favorite of mine and I knew this double knit would work perfectly with the Concord pattern.

I made the same alterations to the Concord pattern that I did for my last dress version - size 16 C/D lengthened 16 inches and a 1” full bicep adjustment with added 3.25” to the sleeve length. It's form fitting, but not tight. Sleek and easy to wear.

I'm so in love with my double knit Concord dress! I paired it with sandals here, because, like I said, it's 100 degrees here, but I'll likely wear it with tights and boots come fall and winter.

Lucky for me, as a result of careful cutting, I have a bit of this fabulous double knit left... I think it will be perfect for a Sew House Seven Toaster Sweater #2... expect one from me as soon as my sewing room cools down enough for me to re-enter! Thanks for the lovely fabric, Fabric Mart!

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This garment was inspired by a dress I saw in an ad, and when I went to purchase it (which I rarely do)…I realized that the dress didn’t come in my size. Ticked off and with $300 back in my pocket, I decided to draft it myself. The description listed the fabrication as a silk cotton voile, so I used that as a starting point to recreate the simple yet elegant silhouette. My drafting experience is limited; I’ve only ever made garments that are pleated rectangles that fit into an elasticated waist. No darts, no complicated calculations, and definitely no sleeves. But I’d have that dress if it’s the last thing I do! I made a drawing, created a Pinterest board to document my inspiration, and narrowed down the features I really wanted to have: billowy bubble-hemmed bishop sleeves (say it three times fast!), a fitted and lined bodice, and a gathered tiered skirt. Finally, it was time to shop for fabric. I knew I wanted a silk blend of some kind, without breaking the bank. For weeks, I ke...

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