I love that Seamwork just released the Hansie a woven T-shirt pattern. I love it even more because it was such a simple pattern hack to create a relaxed summer dress. Once again, Seamwork has produced a sought after, versatile pattern that provides many options for creating wardrobe basics.
The Hansie woven tee has cut-on sleeves and a relaxed cut. It is a perfect blank canvas for fun fabrics and creative pattern hacks like my dress. It is an easy to sew pattern; perfect for beginners or a quick creative sew for experienced sewists. The Hansie can be styled in a variety of ways and worn with all sorts of separates. It can be worn as a cropped shirt that just grazes the top of your favourite high-rise pants or lengthened so it be tucked into a dress trouser, skirt or shorts.
For this version of the Hansie I chose to hack the length of the pattern to create a cute, summer knee length slip on dress. I made a size 16 based on finished measurements allowing for a couple of inches of ease. I added 15 inches to the front and back bodice pieces. As I am very narrow through the hips I simply added the length straight down from the lengthen line. In order to get an accurate placement for the side pockets, I measured 20.5” down from the top of the shoulder and placed the top of the side pocket at this mark. This length was determined by measuring a similar dress that I had made previously. Once I had the placement for the pockets I followed the basic steps for a side seam pocket. To ensure that the pockets would lie flat I under stitched the front pocket and also added a bar tack to the top and bottom of the pocket once the side seam of the dress was sewn up and everything was pressed. The pockets are perfectly placed and indeed do lie flat against the front bodice without drooping or gaping.
I didn’t make any other adjustments to this pattern. I finished the neckline and interfacing by topstitching the interfacing to the bodice. This adds a nice sewing detail and ensures that the interfacing also lies flat. I really liked this finish and will use this technique again. I overlocked the cut-on sleeve edge then hemmed them. They offer a crisp tailored finish.
I styled my dress with a fun flat-form sandal and some vintage jewellery. The longer necklace brings the eye down the length of the dress and adds detail to the minimalist design. Both the necklace and the vintage bangles highlight the colours in the dress so it isn't too dark for summer and help to add interest. My pink fedora adds a fun pop of colour to brighten the entire outfit for summer.
Once the weather begins to cool I will wear this dress under a cropped jacket with knee high boots and either a chunky necklace or a scarf. In the winter it will be easy to add a long sleeve underpinning and tights for extra warmth and texture. This is a versatile pattern and I know I will be making it again as both a dress and a Tee.
My next Hansie will definitely be the T-shirt version. It is great scrap busting pattern that offers chic simple styling. I’d like to make another Hansie dress in a chambray denim, suede and/or corduroy, experimenting with placing two patch pockets at hip height instead of creating side seam pockets.
After all…. there is Sew Much To Design.
Happy Hansie Sewing,
Lou Sheffer