Has anybody tried this Sew Liberated Petrichor Pinafore pattern? It looks cute but I tried another one of theirs years ago and was NOT a fan.
I have this smock pattern and it is lovely, but I made it for someone years ago and … the memory is sad. I haven’t gotten over it yet. I have all this lovely linen though and want to make myself a smock but also don’t want to waste fabric or time, or money! on a pattern that’s got meh reviews.
Wow, that is really similar to the other smock pattern. Huh. (& wasn’t that the one you were super frustrated with?)
I have not tried the Petrichor, but I’ve made their Studio Tunic twice & their Lichen Jacket once and the only issue I had with either was the usual frustration of getting a digital pattern into the real world. I also know several people who are huge fans of their pants patterns.
Aw, you remember :). Your advice is also part of that project, a good part. Thank you, my friend 
I like the Studio Tunic too. Did you post those projects here? It’s hard to choose & not justmake them all but how many tunic/smocks can I realistically use?
I may make the pattern I have, the trouble was learning how to do the hand bound button holes. A good learning experience but honestly fitting it will negate the need for button holes at all.
I probably haven’t posted it (I’m not sure when posting projects here got hard… 
) but I definitely use my Studio Tunic all the time– I did mod it slightly for a higher neckline b/c the straps wanted to wander off, but after that it’s the perfect balance of a little bit of fun tunic/skirt that doesn’t get in the way, and the giant pockets are utterly glorious.
If you want more of a flowy pinafore vibe, then something with more gathering might be better, tho; the studio tunic is definitely on the art/garden smock side of things.
I am also looking at apron/smock/tunic patterns. I really love the huge pockets of that Studio Tunic, @thanate!
I like the wrap and tie ones as well to get a better fit. I like loose fitting clothes, but a lot of the gathered ones make me look frumpy, huge, pregnant or all three! I think I am going to opt for a flatter front like the Studio Tunic. I have some lightweight denim that I found in my stash and I have been itching to do some clothing embroidery. I am going to see if I already have something in my patterns that I could work out. I really hate printing out and taping those PDF patterns.
I just read that the style of dress that I like the best, colorful, loose, natural fibers, mix of textures, handmade knits, etc. is called clown core. What?!! Is that the new name for Boho or Hippie? Not that the names matter, I like what I like and wear what I like. I also like utilitarian clothes…jeans, aprons, sturdy shoes, tights, pockets on everything.
Do you know Loonette? She’s incredibly cute.
“clown”–Nooooooooo!
I love clowns 
I found some other clothes I like and the style is more farm/rural than clown…I have lots of linen, denim, and neutral colors that I would like to make into functional and comfortable clothing. I can still wear my crazy colored tights! So I can be a farm clown? 
I haven’t tried them, but I love that pattern. It looks really comfy. Please let me know how it goes. I might give it a whirl.
Lovely!
I love the layered looks and the bundling of fabrics. Plus, pockets help me carry things up the stairs!
Wow…the design of that first dress is gorgeous, but I think you need to be pretty thin to pull it off! The last one is very doable! I have a lovely red and white linen mini check that would make a lovely dress and some matching cotton that would make the petticoat and dress!
Going through patterns, I currently have:
The Tessuti
Sew Liberate Gathering Apron
Hey June Allspice Apron
Verity Hope Easy Smock Frock
none of which I have loved, not sewing nor the end result.
So, not really sure what I should do here. I think I am going to order the 2 other Sew Liberated patterns and try them both. I have some linen sheets and a duvet cover that wore in only a small spot, most of the fabric is still perfect. With the rest of the linen (there is so much) I’ll make us some pillow cases.
I am making a crossback apron very similar to the Tessuti pattern. It is based on measurements that you draw right onto the fabric.
I like all those patterns…can you be more specific in what you did not love, both sewing and the end result? For me, the problem is that a lot of the looser patterns make me look huge! Even a little fitting is better for me.
I am looking at Simplicity 9766
I have decided that I need to go through my entire closet and dressers to figure out why I don’t wear some of my clothes more often. Seriously, one issue is that I hate clothes without pockets. My favorite cardigan has no pockets. I am going to open up the sides and add pockets. Little things make a difference!
Sure, the for Tessuti, it’s single layer everything and even in their sample which I assume is very carefully pressed, you can see the edges fanning out like they’ve been stretched with the stitching. I’m sure you could carefully create enough ease with basting stitches pulled taute or tailors tape but… why go to all the trouble? Also, that front pocket is not useful, it’s so large that it gapes. Divided, it’s too deep. And it pulls down the whole front with anything at all in it. Also the front between the straps is too wide, that also gapes when on, or with any sort of arms-forward posture, which is how we all craft!
Same for the Allspice.
The gathering apron has so much fussy stitching for all those design elements but honestly, I found it utterly unflattering at the bust. Gathers and straps for cinching do not a fitted garment make. And the pocket, lol. Basically wearing a sack on your front. No.
The Smock Frock is the best of the bunch so far for me but even that, look at how the underarm gapes, even with the edge binding! In my test garment this looked just awful, ruined the whole thing. I did some careful easing there to create an almost but not quite gather to make the shape less upsetting, then it was fine. I did like this pattern but as you can see, it’s quite shapeless, really a sack. Still, I liked it.
The Studio Tunic has THREE pockets! And they are on the sides. I assume the centre front seam is for shaping, which seems funny given the centre back pleat, but I’ll give it a go just to see. Faced arm holes and neckline will reduce any gaping. But those pockets, they are so enormous. That’s a style choice, it can’t really be that useful for carrying objects. In one of the images, she’s got an entire full sized sketchbook jammed in there, lol. Your dress would be askew in the most uncomfortable way.
The Petrichor Pinafore looks like a sack as well, but the sweet heart v-shaped yoke in front and T back is charming and I do like the side pockets. I can’t tell if the sides are just folded over or faced but I will bet they have the same gaping issue. I will be trying it on before doing any finishing and putting in ease where needed. I may even choose to face that part if I feel it needs it. Even just a pretty ribbon facing there for stabilization would be enough, just on one side though, front or back, to reduce bulk in the side seam.
The pattern you linked to is nice as well, I like the options for cross over front with ties or buttons but for my body I do not like the gathering under the arm version, or the gathered back. That makes me look fat. Nothing wrong with fat but I don’t want to add it in to a garment.
You mentioned everything I suspected plus more! Thanks!
Good points on the pockets… too big pockets are worse than too small!
I hate all that turning under for the narrow hem especially around curves. I would rather line the whole thing. Have you heard of Helen’s Closet patterns? She has similar patterns and she also addresses some issues with sewing like gaping, twisting, etc.
I love the last pattern you show…it is more flattering because of the narrow top. The side pockets seem to be better for real function without weighing down the front.
I am mostly looking for more layering options. Maybe a side buttoned tabard top would work better. Thanks again for sharing your sewing experience. It is nice to not make the same mistakes or at least be aware of issues ahead of using precious sewing time!
It’s so funny that such a simple garment presents so many issues, it’s basically just a bag dress but everybody likes different things, like those pockets might thrill someone else but the thought of them dragging down my dress, I just know it would bother me enough to not want to wear it.
The last option, I was thinking maybe the arm holes are too low and raising them might make facing easier but then, for layering that low arm hole is good.
I looked at Helen’s Closet, the York Pinafore is not a hit for me but the Orchard top & dress looks comfy with plain inseam side pockets. I love the March, the rust dress and the chartruese version of the top are winners. Looks like a lot of fabric though so I am not sure I want to make those.
OH! I just remembered an apron pattern I have wanted to try that looks like perfection but I hestitated because of the price. It’s the Maven Maria Apron
I like this idea for layering too, nice light silks or cottons with some stitching. Very pretty. You could wear it, work on it, add to it, patch it.. lovely.
I found the digital & printed copies of the pattern (letter sized, not available in full sized I guess) & traced it all out on tissue, what. a. pain. Reading the sewing instructions, there are certainly improvements to be made. Perhaps not techniques that are easy to include in intermediate for-sale patterns but I can see them. I like seams to be contained internally, I don’t like prefer joining pieces with top stitching.
I’m going to sew next weekend, so excited!
It was such a sad day for me. The end of a sewing era. Now that Joann’s has closed, I was hopeful that I could go sit at Michael’s and peruse through pattern books and then find a pattern or two to try out. Nope. They have one endcap of simple patterns like PJ bottoms or baby stuff.
Just because I was sad about this, I didn’t buy anything else and left the store empty handed. I never shop at Hobby Lobby, but I thought I would just sneak in and see what they had available. No tables to sit quietly, take notes, draw or dream. Two cabinets with very limited selection that you just sort of had to thumb through. I, at least, had a list that I made looking online…none of those were available.
I went to a favorite Vietnamese restaurant and ate lunch alone in my silly cactus hat that no one even noticed. I felt like such an old pathetic home seamstress that just needed to go home and cry.
BUT, then I remembered that a friend sent me some patterns so I am making a smock dress tomorrow. I have the fabric to iron tonight and a pattern to tape up! Not done with me yet, Sewing Gremlins!
