The Panama Tee Hack

I've been dying to get my hands on the Panama Tee Dress pattern ever since it released, unfortunately, the timing just wasn't right for several months until now. I'm kicking myself for not purchasing this pattern sooner! Alina, of Alina Sewing + Design Co has a great sense of style and I adore all of the patterns she has released.

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After stalking Stylish Petite's blog, because I'm totally in love with her style, I came across this Striped Flounce-Sleeve Talbots dress and died. Umm seriously, it's like THE most perfect dress ever...the only thing that wasn't so perfect was the price tag and the fact that I don't really purchase RTW clothing anymore.

So I ran upstairs to my fabric stash and quickly dove into the boxes that were still waiting to be unpacked. Luckily, I found this blue and white striped fabric from Stylish Fabrics without too much work. At approximately 10:05 p.m. on a Saturday night (Yeah my weekend life is really lively with three kids) I bought the pattern, printed it and started cutting fabric, because when inspiration strikes you just got to go with it!

I cut out a size 4 chest and blended to a size 6 waist and hips. This dress has negative ease along the bust and a relaxed fit through the waist and hips. I actually went down one size in the waist and hips to get a more fitted style. For the sleeves, I cut the pattern at the half sleeve and then took about 2-3 inches off of the length. Then I measured the bottom width of the sleeve and multiplied it by 1.5 to get the length of the ruffle I would be adding.

Can we just talk about this amazing lip color? My sweet sewing blogger friend Riva sells Lipsense, which is waterproof, and completely smearproof long lasting lip color! I'm wearing the color Cranberry and I'm completely obsessed with it. I just apply it in the morning and it lasts all day long with no touch ups. Stop by Riva's amazing blog for tons sewing inspiration (I die over everything she makes!) and check out the colors she currently has in stock.

If you're afraid to work with knits I have a few secrets to share with you! First off, you absolutely must use Heat N Bond Fusible Web Adhesive! (Afflink) It really is a huge game-changer for hemming knits and getting a professional result. If you've ever ended up with a wonky stretched out hem that your sewing machine was determined to eat, then you know exactly what I'm talking about. For this dress, I used the lite version to hem both my sleeves and bottom hem. It has a paper backing which allows you to iron on the adhesive in the exact spot you want it in, then you simply peel the backing off and fold up the fabric and iron again. It's super easy and it makes a world of difference. After ironing my fusible web adhesive, I used my double needle to get a more professional finished look. One day I'll upgrade to a coverstitch machine but for now, my double needle is meeting my knit hemming needs.

I love that this dress can easily be worn with sneakers to the park or dressed up with a statement necklace and heels. I'm all about transitional pieces of clothing because I want to get the most wear out of my handmade wardrobe. I will definitely, be using this pattern again! I just need to stock up on a few more striped fabrics from Stylish Fabrics.

Overall, I spent a whopping $12 on the materials to create this dress. I won a giftcard to Stylish Fabrics (You can see the other outfits I've made using their fabrics here and here), was given HeatNBond for free at Snap Conf and purchased the pattern for $12.00. Pretty neat, huh?

Want to recreate this look? Here's what you will need!

Panama Tee Dress Pattern

Blue and White Striped Fabric ($6.50 per yard)

Fusible Adhesive Web

Are you following along with me on Instagram? See what I'm working on before it hits the blog and check out my behind the seams process.

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