Self Care Sewing: Davenport
It’s true I don’t exactly need a kit or a reason, permission to sew for myself. I fully recognize sewing for myself is the me time that I need to fill up my cup. I purchased one of Maker Mountain Fabrics’ Sewing Self Care Surprise kits anyhow. Grace seems to be a damn fine example of a good human, so I’m more than happy to support her. AND SURPRISES ARE FUCKING FUN*. (*Exclusions may apply.)
I was pretty tickled (yes, tickled pink would be the right phrase) when I opened my box. The surprise pattern was the Davenport Dress by Friday Pattern Company (which I had come very, very close to purchasing upon its release), about 4 yards of a luscious pale pink striped material (that I would have guessed was rayon/linen blend but it's organic cotton/hemp!), matching thread, 3/8” elastic, a large format printed copy of the pattern, and a “clip ‘n glide” bodkin tool.
Davenport's style is very prairie chic, which is fun, but I wasn’t about to sew a long sleeved dress in June. A quick check of the hashtag revealed a few folks had already tried and shared their Davenports with flutter sleeves, omitting the long sleeve aspect and they are cute!
no taping!
Sizing: My measurements (35/36”, 29”, 39”) put me in size M per the sizing chart. There is, however, plenty of ease per the finished measurements and, given I was omitting the long sleeve, I chose to make a straight S.
I wanted to make a muslin of the top before going after the striped fabric from my kit. (And, well, the fabric told me it really wanted to be pants.) I found a Weft & Weft clip dot in my stash that coordinated nicely and started there. I lengthened the bodice a few inches so it could be a separate top. I didn't change the shape of the arm opening, just simply bound the opening with bias for a tidy finish.
@greenenvycraft makes damn fine bias (and she'll scout the perfect color to match anything, even the neon selvedge from W&W, IYKYK).
It looks tight across the bust, eh? I assure you there are several (6+) inches of ease there.
While I liked this sweet little top as is, it felt like the gathering at the neckline and lack of drape of my fabric caused an odd accentuation of my bust. After a bit of thought, I decided to add a button placket at the center front. I think this linear aspect helps break up the front and distribute the ease over the bust more favorably.
I accomplished this by stay stitching 1/4” on either side of the center front, then slicing the blouse and adding button plackets.
better, right?
Having tried the top portion, I tackled the skirt next. It needs to be stated that Davenport has some amazing, large, and amazingly large pockets. I cut the skirt pieces as designed and simply added 2” elastic in a casing for the waistband. (Think Seaforth or Vero Shorts waist.) I did add some interfacing along the pocket opening/seam, though I don’t recall this being suggested in the construction directions. Once assembled, the top portion of the skirt felt too long for my stature (or much more so in keeping with a prairie vibe than I wanted in a stand alone skirt), so I shortened it, cutting it off at the bottom of the pockets. I hemmed the ruffle with a 2” blind hem.
It has big fucking pockets
I really love the skirt. I’ve worn it a couple times already. (I happen to be wearing it while typing this.) I have been quick to declare that I’m not a skirt or dress person, but I love how easy this is to wear with a tank. I’m ready to make more.
Now I had just enough fabric left to make another Davenport top. I experimented with a split front and drawstrings in the neckline casing, but felt very meh on it.
I ultimately pulled out the drawstrings, closed the center, and inserted a 7” length of elastic in the neckline (1” longer than recommended in the pattern).
And I have a mini collection of mix and match pieces!
Two Fridays together! Adrienne + Davenport
So that’s what I made with my first Self Care Sewing Surprise kit. Two bottoms, one skirt and one crop pants; and a top with the fabric included in the box, and a coordinating top from stash fabric. I still want to make a Davenport dress once I find a fabric that whispers Davenport to me. I’m subscribed to receive the next kit, too. Another surprise self care sewing adventure to follow.
