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Feature Friday Pattern From Love Notions ~
This week the Feature Friday pattern is the Olympia Dress with an added bonus! A shirt version has been added to the pattern and the dress/shirt pattern is just $6 today(and often through the weekend)! If you’ve made the dress, then you already know that the neckline is really the star of this design~ which is why a shirt hack was needed! *If you already own the Olympia Dress pattern, simply redownload it from the LN website for the update which includes the shirt pattern pieces.
The star of the Olympia is the integrated reverse shawl collar with a V-neck~ it gives this shirt/dress such a timeless classic look. Plus it’s much easier to sew that you may at first think. (Be sure to click on the video link for help if needed.)
I”ll be honest, I have never made an Olympia Dress, however when Tami asked the Ambassadors to test the new shirt addition I figured it was time. You can grab the Olympia Dress & Shirt pattern HERE. Please remember to use my link so I will get “credit” for this sale.
Using just the existing bodice pattern pieces didn’t work for this “hack” as the bodice has negative ease for the dress. Simply adding length to the bodice pattern pieces wouldn’t work due to natural hip curves. So Tami redrafted the bodice pattern from the waist down for the shirt version~ adding the length and additional ease to the hip area. This shirt is designed to be close fitting to be tucked in when worn. To get the best fit for yourself remember to choose your size based on your high bust measurement! You can always grade for the waist and hips!
My Sizing & Modifications
I started with the XL with a DD cup size, since my high bust is 39.5″ and my full bust is 44″. (Note the Olympia is designed with 5 different Cup sizes to get the best fit.). I then graded out for my larger waist and hips. Because I have that extra “fluffiness” around my waist (which is always fluctuating day by day), I did remove some of the shaping at the waist. I also did this because I knew I wouldn’t be wearing this top tucked in. If you are built “fluffy” like me I would suggest doing the same when cutting out your fabric. You can always go back and take it in at the waist after trying on your top.
I am only 5 feet tall (but not short waisted) and I did not remove any length from this top. It is designed to hit at the high hip, which it does. In the future I will probably add an additional inch in length for my personal preference.
I sewed this Olympia Shirt up in an ITY knit from the NYC garment district. It was pouring outside when I tried to get photos and inside photos are just terrible in my house! I do wish you could see that some of the polka dots are actually light blue! (See photo below)
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