Tag Archives: Devonstone Fashion

Collage Top with Hasting Street Linen

I’ve been having a bit of a crush on Matchy Matchy Sewing Club Patterns, so it was no surprise that when Rose from Devonstone Fashion reached out about some small samplings from their new Hasting Street Linen Range, I reached for the Collage Top pattern. This linen collection from Devonstone Fashion features linen cotton and yarn dyed linen. I gravitated towards the yarn dyed linen because I wanted to test some colour blocking. The yarn dyed linen is made from threads individually dyed before being woven into fabric. I just loved the slight two-tone character of the linen which gives it a more natural and slightly textured look. I was generously gifted 1m mauve, 0.5m olive and 0.5 oyster to make whatever my heart desired.

The Collage Top features centre front and back panels which attach to side panels that have a gathered lower panel. I had enough fabric for the short-sleeved version. The sleeves are grown on and feature a cuff. The boxy fit of the top was what drew me to the pattern. I like how the top sits just below my natural waist. It’s so fun playing with the colour blocking and I love the colours on this linen.

I always prepare the fabric by washing and drying it. I overlock the cut edges before throwing it in my washing machine. People have told me that they often skip the washing and even though these pieces arrived in pristine packaging, I still wash the fabric just in case of shrinkage. The linen was then ironed before cutting and sewing. It handled beautifully when sewing. Linen is a stable woven fabric so it’s easy to sew and okay for overlocking. This linen is 55% Linen, 45% Cotton, 5.6oz/189.8gsm and 112cm wide.

My sizing sits between the M and L in the Collage Top Sizing Chart. I decided on the M which was the perfect relaxed fit for me. I wish I had lengthened the top by 1 inch so as it currently tents out. I did take a risk and sewed this without a toile, but I felt it was similar enough to the Skipper Top. The linen gives the top a lovely crisp and structured look which is what I was hoping for.

It’s going to be easy to style this top with so many items in my closet. It’s not even summer yet and I’ve already started to wear it. I’m currently matching it with high waisted pants, but I’ll be sewing up some shorts soon for beach weather and this will be on high rotation. 

As mentioned earlier, the trio of linen pieces are samplings from the Hasting Street Linen collection curated by Devonstone Fashion and Devonstone Collection which are divisions of Two Green Zebras. I’m so grateful and enjoyed every moment of sewing my Collage Top. The yarn dyed linen feels super soft already and I know it’ll only soften even more with repeated washing. It’s a bonus that because each yarn is dyed individually, there won’t be any colour fade as the dye is locked into each strand. I’m loving the natural variation in the tones of this fabric. 

It’s been a joy to add this to my handmade wardrobe. Thanks for reading and happy sewing!

X Em

* Fabric was gifted but all opinions remain my own.

Ritual Dress

Featuring Fabric from the Devonstone Fashion Summer Abroad Collection by Lindsey Rae

So excited to feature the latest fabric collection from the immensely talented Lindsey Rae @sewtogrow. It’s currently available for wholesale through Devonstone Fashion. It was hard to pick which design I wanted but I settled on the Cornwall Oceanside Print in a luxe linen cotton blend. It is fifty-five percent linen and forty-five percent cotton, 180-185 gsm and 145cm wide. The pattern is reminiscent of wildflower fields. I love the riot of colour in this collection. Best of all, it will also be available in a variety of substrates like rayon, poplin, and jersey to name a few.

Cornwall Oceanside Print

The pattern that immediately came to mind when I received the Cornwall Oceanside Print Linen was the Swimstyle Ritual Dress. I had bought this pattern last year but was waiting for the perfect fabric to match it. It’s basically a shirt dress but with the additional features of the drawstring waist casing in a maxi length. I haven’t had the opportunity to sew many collars and cuffs, so this was another consideration in my choice. The instructions for these are superb for entry level sewists.

Wearing it with waist cinched in and with it loose

As with any other sew, I washed the linen cotton on a cold cycle and popped it on the medium setting in the dryer. There was no noticeable shrinkage and no fading of the dye. I like how the addition of the cotton to the linen helps to reduce wrinkling and cuts down the time it takes to iron. I do appreciate that relaxed vibe that wrinkling in linen can give but I prefer to start wrinkle free and earn the wrinkles along the way.

Of course, I also checked my needle. I left it on the universal 90/14 gage needle that I had been using. I matched the fabric with the Gutermann CA 02776 thread. I’m not sure the colour of the print shows up in the photos, but the print consists of shadows of mauve flora on a background of green. 

The Ritual Dress has quite a lot of ease in the pattern sizing, so I chose my usual Size L for my measurements of 38-inch bust, 33-inch waist and 40-inch hips. I did not make any modifications. My height is 167cm. I felt the pattern was true to size and fitted comfortably. Perhaps the sleeves could have been shortened slightly but I wanted to have the full-length sleeve and a properly maxi dress. I guess I’m great at sewing summer outfits, but I really need to make items that will see me through the cooler weather. I think this dress fits the bill nicely.

Ritual Dress in Cornwall Print Linen Cotton

The collar and cuff instructions were great if you lack experience in this area. It’s really made for novice level and can highly recommend it. The Summer Abroad linen cotton has been such a good quality fabric to sew with. It still has that slight stiffness that linen starts with so it feels a little bit course on the skin but that will soften with a few washes. I know that’s sometimes a concern with linen, but it really doesn’t take long for it to season to a soft and pliable garment.

Hopefully, the Summer Abroad collection will be available for purchase soon from your favourite fabric store! Currently, it’s available for wholesale through Devonstone Fashion. Keep your eyes out for it from the Sew To Grow newsletter.

Thanks for reading and happy sewing!

X Em