[arlyna]

When I saw this in my feeds this morning, I knew I had to get this pattern. I have been wanting to sew this exact style for some time now and finally this pattern is here.

My only 2 questions:

1. Will this pattern still look okay if I make the length longer like to fall down to the hips or make this as a tunic?

2. Apart from knits, would linen, woven cotton or quilting cotton still work? I saw a Muji version similar to this style which is in linen.

Thank you.

arlyna

[Tamara]

This is the third time I have attempted this message (ipad is temperamental today).

Anyway, I think lengthening this to a tunic is great idea. It would ressemble something similar to the book report dress (for kids). I would take extra fabric into consideration when working out the length and also I would be mindful of where I would lengthen just so the pockets don’t hit the knees!

In answer to your second question, many woven fabrics have stretch added into them. So all you need to do is look for a stretch woven with at least 25% stretch in them and it should work the same. I had to read the fabric requirements regarding this. If you can find a stretch linen or something similar then you would be able to make your own knockoff Muji dress.

Good luck and remember to post some pictures for us to see. Can’t wait to make this pattern myself. I think it will become a favourite!

Tamara

[Sarvi]

I had no idea there was stretch linen. That must be weird.

[arlyna]

Thank you Tamara! Very helpful advise!

Yes, I am thinking of lengthening the lower part making sure that pockets will not be in a strange location.

Did not realize there was stretch linen! I will have to do a lot of searching about that.

In any case, I cannot wait to start making one! Very exciting indeed!

Thank you again for the tips!

[Tamara]

You know I don’t think there actually is such a thing – sorry my brain has been stolen by the child in utero! I was drawing a conclusion of an example (pretty poor one to be imaginary I know) of a stretch fabric that you COULD use. Because the pattern is made accommodating for stretch if you used something like quilting cotton, it just would be too tight and very wrong in the fit. It is essentially how you draw a conclusion between a pattern suited for stretch fabrics and suited for non stretch, the ease is accommodated in different ways.

I wonder how it would go with something like a stretch cotton like sateen or light denim – and here I go again clutching a straws but I am pretty sure I have heard of stretch chambray before. You could find a linen look fabric with stretch in it to achieve the same result.

The bottom line is that magic number of 25% stretch otherwise it won’t turn out well. The way to test it is to take a sample of say four inches (10cm) and stretch it. If it stretches easily another inch then you are good to go. If not then put it back.

No probs! We are all pretty handy around here with tips and advice – even the more experienced of us learn something new!

[Lightning McStitch]

Oh stretch linen exists alright. It’s just that it only magically appears when you are trying to hem regular linen, or cut or sew slightly on the bias! Then that stuff seems to stretch and warp like nobodies business.

Thanks to vothgirl’s dream sewing thread post I’ve been dream shopping, and I found this: http://bandjfabrics.com/fabric/linen-knit-13

It’s very much a knit but gee it looks nice, and the fibre content is linen…. (how have I never seen this Aladdin’s cave of a fabric store before? I’m drooling all over those knits)

[Lightning McStitch]

Oooh, here’s another one and it looks to have more of a classic linen appearance

http://bandjfabrics.com/fabric/linen-knit-13

[Robin]

http://www.moodfabrics.com/stretch-linen-301916.html

Linen with lycra at Mood.

[juliamom2009]

Robert Kaufman makes a really nice chambray stretch linen. It’s obviously not 100% linen, but I saw it at a textile show, and it’s really nice – it would make a great bento tee…but, I may size up a size just in case.

[enajybbil]

I’ve used a knit linen that was similar to the one linked at b&j and it’s scrumptious. I used it for underwear and I should have made them about half the size that I did cause they streeeeeeeeeeetched out. I don’t know the rhyme or reason to sewing with linen knits other than that one experience.

On another note b&j has liberty of London French terry! The short sleeve Bento, for even xxl, only takes 1 yd! Wheels are turning…ok more like spinning out!

Last thought was lowering the neckline a touch and adding a cowl just like this one http://www.carhartt.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10101&storeId=10051&productId=285161&langId=-1 but maybe using that linen knit? You definitely want that fabric wrapped around your neck when you first touch it. Of course you could probably use the other Liesl and Co t shirt pattern but I like the idea of the bento shape and pockets with a cowl. Am I crazy?

[Sarvi]

Yeah I looked it up and got that Kaufman one first hit!

[Tamara]

I knew it! I wasn’t imagining things – glad to know my sewing brain is still intact!

[Lightning McStitch]

Pink Chalk Fabrics have the Kaufman stretch linen on sale at present. Just under US$10/yard.