Today I am sharing a pattern test from a new to me pdf pattern company but they are by no means a new company. Sinclair Patterns and the creative powerhouse behind the brand, Oxana Sinclair, are located in the Gold Coast area of Australia.
When I saw the testing call come up for the new Dakota Tunic & Dress, I hesitated. I have been wanting to test for Sinclair Patterns after seeing all the other lovely designs they have, but I haven’t really worn a peplum style, as I wasn’t sure I could pull the style off. I really liked the curved hemline of the Dakota, though, so I decided to give it a try and I am so glad I did!
My Dakota Tunic
I decided to make the tunic version because I don’t wear a lot of dresses in the winter due to the cold. I was having a hard time deciding if I was going to do a solid fabric or a print so I decided to play with both! I have seen other people use a combo like this and I really like how it turned out. I also chose to include the optional side seam pockets because I need all the pockets!
I made a US size 12 and went with the tall version. I am shorter in my torso so I did shorten the bodice by 1/2″ and I also did a 1/2″ forward neck adjustment, which I automatically do on most patterns.
The Dakota is pretty quick to sew up. It actually took me almost as much time to fussy cut this print front bodice than to sew the whole garment! This fabric is pretty drapey and getting the strips to lay parallel was quite time consuming. I think it was time well spent in the end. I used the elastic method to do the gathering of the skirt and I love how beautifully it hangs.
The fabric I used is a poly/cotton blend with some spandex thrown in. I don’t have the particulars of it as it was something I had in my stash that I had acquired quite some time ago, before I began keeping more accurate records of the details of my stash. It has the perfect amount of drape for the Dakota and just met the 30% vertical/horizontal stretch requirement.
I am so glad that I had the opportunity to test with Oxana and the rest of the testing team at Sinclair Patterns. And I am even more happy to have this cute little Dakota tunic in my closet! I totally love how the peplum with the curved hem looks on me. I am so glad I followed my instinct and gave this style a chance!
The Dakota Tunic & Dress pdf pattern is on sale until December 14, 2018 for $8.99 US.
sizes:
US sizes 0 to 22 in petite, regular and tall versions
skill level:
Beginner+ depending on options chosen
features:
-Fitted empire waist bodice
-!/4 circle skirt peplum with a flattering curved hem
-Solid front bodice, true button placket or faux button placket(no button holes)
-Sleeve options- sleeveless, short, 3/4 or long
-optional side seam pocket
pattern details:
-layered options for printing only the size(s) you need
-printable on A4 and Letter paper
-A0 print shop format
-trim pdf pattern assembly options
-Facebook support group- Sinclair Patterns group
suggested fabric
-Very light to light knit fabric with excellent recovery and at least 30-50% horizontal and vertical stretch.
Embrace Everyday 