I’m back – and this time with a new dress and a new pattern! (sorry, think the camera lens needs a clean!). I’ve been pattern testing a new dress for Hannah of Sinbad & Sailor.
Hepworth Dress, pattern from Sinbad & Sailor
This is the Hepworth Dress by Sinbad & Sailor.
“The Hepworth is a beautiful sleeveless dress pattern with a princess seam bodice joined at the waist to a flared skirt which includes handy hip pockets. The fit and flare shape gives you a flattering silhouette while evoking the organic and modernist sculptures of its namesake Barbara Hepworth“
Please visit Sinbad & Sailor to see the line drawings as my fabric choice was not so great at showing those… although it’s perfect for illustrating the feminine silhouette.
I love the simplicity of this design – never underestimate the beauty of simplicity. The Hepworth has a classic shape, easy fit, softly flared skirt, princess seamed bodice and pockets – it’s just so easy to wear. I decided to make it up in classic navy linen. I’ve been saving this little piece of linen for about 12 months. It’s ‘just’ linen – nothing too fancy – but it’s got this lovely drape, beautiful inky navy tone and particularly beautiful sheen to it. When I saw Hepworth I thought navy linen would suit its classic silhouette.
Hepworth – a graceful shape and not too fitted, it skims over my frame and I love it.
I know some people prefer lining to facings but give Hepworth facings a try. Hannah has drafted the facings so they are slightly smaller, thus rolling in the facings so understitching is not required (unless you are an understitching junkie like myself). Hepworth also has a particularly magical way to finish the facing – by encasing the shoulder seam within the facing. It’s rather mind bending – however as I had sewn the Thread Theory Goldstream Peacoat (I couldn’t bear to blog it in the middle of summer – just seemed so wrong!) I’ve encounter this before in a slightly different form. If you get stuck I would recommend checking out the Minoru sewalong post about how to sew sleeve hem linings – the Hepworth finishing technique reminded me of this.
Of course the most sensible thing to do is make it up when Hannah has a sewalong and have her walk you through it step by step.
and with a belt…
One thing I ABSOLUTELY love about all of Sinbad & Sailor’s patterns is that there is a print-at-home version and a copy shop version. The copy shop version is A0 which means it is easy and economical to print. Many indie pattern companies supply their copy shop versions as 36 inch wide sheets – and I have found these near impossible to get printed easily and cheaply here in Australia. Most copy shops can print a b/w A0 for about $4.50 – while you wait.
It’s getting colder here… I can actually see this as a brilliant pinafore for winter with a collared shirt underneath… hmmmm now there’s a thought… It’s a loose enough fit on me that I think I could manage it in ponte with no zip… tempting…
Photos taken in a last-minute rush before ELH disappeared for nine days fishing – and the weather was turning nasty!
Pattern: Hepworth Dress by Sinbad & Sailor
Fabric: Navy Linen from Lincraft
Sizing: I made the UK 8 – I could do with a size 6, I need to take some out between my bust and shoulder (I’m shorter than I appear – trust me – LOL).
Also see: Rachel of House of Pinheiro & Winnie of Scruffy Badger (they have been far more exciting and used floral fabrics! Winnie also has some ‘inside’ shots – sorry I’ve been so busy I just don’t have time to take some!)
I’ve got a few more posts waiting… life has been frantic – I’m just concluding a nine-day sojourn as a single working mother while ELH is away trout fishing in the Snowy Mountains. Next up is helping out at the annual school fete and my daughter’s ballet eisteddfod which the weekend after the school fete – I think she’s in five group dances and one solo… argh… and I’m just off to volunteer on one of the Ironman aid stations on the run leg this evening… apparently the competitors need a drink & nourishment while running a marathon (this is after a 3.6km swim & 180km bike ride)
Sew Busy Lizzy 
This is lovely. the fabric suits the pattern so well, you look so elegant in this. Would look perfect as a pinafore
Thank you – it’s wonderfully easy to wear & pairs well with so many accessories.
Looks great. Would love to try it, I picked up a lovely linen remnant yesterday that would be perfect. I’ll wait for summer though, it’s decidedly chilly here now.
I know the feeling! We have ‘enjoyed’ a sudden temperature dip – cold!
Well, you sure don’t look cold to me! You look fantastic!
It was a nice afternoon, not hot but certainly warm enough for this dress.
It’s lovely! Although the weather has just turned brrr this weekend so tights and cardi would be the go with this!
And boots!
As ever, you look stunning and have made another beautiful dress that is really flattering. It’s lovely seeing yours in a solid colour and a fabric with more drape! It looks gorgeous, and shows off the classic design. I really like this pattern, and can tell you do too!!
It’s a great pattern! Endlessly versatile, softly fitted and classically shaped. Tis love 😉
Looks fabulous and that fabric is really understated and chic. Beautiful.
Thanks VK – was so nice to venture into the ‘land of plains’ I think I rather enjoyed it!
Perfect!
🙂
A linen version.. That’s so versatile.. Really lovely version.
Thanks Rachel! I always get nervous sewing in a plain but sometimes it’s nice to have a dress that lets the accessories sing.
This is so fantastic – pure class. I have some black linen burning a hole in my stash cupboard…
Can’t have a stash fire! Go sew
OOH, pretty! I love the styling too. This would be lovely in winter- you look gorgeous.
Thanks Anne – I have a ‘thing’ for navy and natural tones – looks so effortless with timber, leather etc
beautiful dress! i really love this neckline, it’s so flattering. personally, i love a good facing. it always baffles me that people hate them so!
I agree – lining fabrics can be such a pain! And really they operate much the same as linings, I don’t ‘get’ the fuss.
This is gorgeous, love the classic silhouette. I really like your idea of making a pinafore version to wear over a shirt in winter!
It’s funny that pinafore idea struck me when I was looking at the photos – interesting how photographing something gives birth to new ideas!
This is so pretty! Linen is a lovely choice!
I always wonder why I don’t sew with linen more often, it’s lovely stuff!
Oh, I love me a classic dress! This is fantastic, and it looks fabulous on you. You may have inspired me to get busy.
The good news is you get quite a fast result!
Such a pretty dress! I love the silhouette. It’s too early in the morning to even pretend to think about how that facing works, but it sounds pretty neat!
It’s rather mindbending if you have never sewn it. Have coffee first LOL
That is the perfect dress, I want it. So many possibilities….!
It’s an investment pattern I think – timeless & ageless
Very stylish dress and your shoes, do tell!
They are a brand called ‘Bitter Sweet’ I picked them up ‘end of season’, they are leather lined so really comfortable as well as cute!
What a nice classic dress, made in the linen is reminiscent of Country Road clothing (and I mean that in a good way). It would definitely make a good pinafore, over a cute bow neck shirt – lovely
Country Road is still pumping out classic clothing – even after all these years!
This is a beautiful dress! And that silhouette is exactly the sort of thing I need in my work summer wardrobe.
As I made it I was struck how it reminded me of the Lady Skater – a simple classic shape but in a woven
Great fabric choice. The dress looks elegant and classy.
Thank you!
This is perfect in the navy linen – elegant and classically cut … with pockets! Fabulous all around!
Yes POCKETS! Always a winner!
Classic and elegant. You have done a beautiful job on this.
Thank you, I really enjoyed making something ‘quiet’
Very nice, flattering! totally agree – simple is often the most elegant and classic, and it’s also the hardest thing to perfectly execute – lovely fabric choice, too; I “save” linen as well, because it’s not often I find it and it’s such a special fabric that really only likes to be used for certain special things 🙂
While I don’t have lots of fancy stores where I live, there is always linen aplenty. I guess it’s courtesy of our warm weather requirements.
Very lucky, you! 🙂
There are times when less is more. Simple lines, classic colour, classy fabric…nothing more is required.
Reminds me a little of that Chanel quite of looking in the mirror before you leave the house & take one thing off. It’s too easy (and tempting at times) to overdress.
Barbara Hepworth is one of my favourite artists and I’ve been to her studio in St. Ives. Love your dress. Elegant as always.
Thank you. I’m always interested in pattern names and did some research on this artist – lovely work!
Lizzy – That dress is divine. You did such a great job on it. The fit is absolutely perfect! I think I like it better with the belt.
Yep I can see why this is a winner in linen and I too have a thing for classic simple lines. I think I could probably manage a dress like this too ….. Fumble fingered though I have been of late. Lovely dress Lizzie.
Hope the marathon runners made it to the nourishment station!
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