• SHOP
  • About
    • About Sara
    • Contact me!
    • Design Collaborations
    • Sewing Collaborations
  • Sewing
    • Sewing Tutorials
    • Things I Made
  • Design Portfolio
  • Blog
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
Radiant Home Studio | Sewing Patterns & Surface Design

Radiant Home Studio

August 6, 2015 ·

Southport Dress

Pattern Review· Sewing

I’ve been admiring the Southport Dress by True Bias since it was released a few months ago. I really love the maxi version of the dress that Teresa made. I had the opportunity to test the Mini Southport Dress recently and was really happy with the finished dress. Kelli produces high-quality, modern sewing patterns.

Tribal Southport Dress | Radiant Home Studio

I chose an inexpensive rayon challis fabric for this version. (Originally at fabric.com, but seems to be unavailable now.) I thought I might have to make some fit adjustments and decided this would be more of a wearable muslin. The pattern is drafted for a C cup at the bust, so I expected extra room in the top. The top is meant to have a loose fit and most of the extra fabric can be drawn into the waist using the drawstring. The bigger problem for me is that the neckline is gaping and the shoulders are a bit too wide.

Tribal Southport Dress | Radiant Home Studio

Almost every pattern I use needs to be altered to account for my narrow shoulders. For this pattern, I decided to cut a 2 in the shoulders and armholes, tapering out to a 4 in the waist and hips. (For reference, my measurements are 33-29-38, and shoulders about 15″ across.) That definitely helped the upper bodice fit, but I don’t think it was enough. When I make this dress again, I will remove about an inch from the back neck and triangle wedges from the neckline down to the bust. I think making those changes will be the best places to remove extra material for me.

Tribal Southport Dress | Radiant Home Studio

Overall, the pattern wasn’t too difficult to follow. If you have sewn any of Kelli’s other patterns, you’ll notice that she uses many of the same techniques for bindings and button plackets, which makes it easier to put together. I was hesitant to print this pattern at home, since the long skirt requires printing lots of pages. But I was anxious to get started and didn’t want to wait for the copy shop. I was happy that Kelli included a printing chart to reduce the number of excess pages to print. There was very little waste in the end and the pattern went together quickly, even with the many pages that had to be pieced together.

Patterned rayon fabric definitely made some of the layout and cutting more challenging. Since the fabric design reads as stripes, I had to carefully plan my cutting layout so that I could match the front seam in the skirt and the side skirt seams. I did the same with the top, though I still seem to have the stripe slightly off-grain. (Only other sewists will notice, right?) If I were to cut it again, I would cut the pieces in single layers instead of folding the fabric. That would have allowed me to see that the bottom layer wasn’t quite lined up.

Tribal Southport Dress | Radiant Home Studio

Though the fit isn’t perfect, the dress is totally wearable with a tank layered underneath. And as the weather transitions, I think it will look great with a cardigan. I’ve noticed a trend towards capsule wardrobes, and I think a solid-colored Southport Dress would be perfect as a capsule wardrobe staple item.

Previous Post: « Minted Photo Challenge Win
Next Post: Professional Zipper Pocket Tutorial »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. teresa Behr says

    August 6, 2015 at 2:00 pm

    Oh it looks good Sarah! I need to make some adjustments to my southport too, for the top! I’m definitely not the C cup it is drafted for, but I still love the fit of mine! Yours looks great!

  2. Becca DuVal says

    August 9, 2015 at 11:22 pm

    That fabric is SO DREAMY!! Great dress!

    • Sara Curtis says

      August 18, 2015 at 1:47 pm

      Thanks Becca!

Primary Sidebar

Hello

Welcome! I’m Sara. I share modern home & accessory sewing patterns, and I create surface designs for licensing. I hope you are encouraged to see beauty in small things and are inspired to try new creative projects!

Shop Sewing Patterns


icon icon

icon icon

Newsletter

Sign up to get access to free sewing patterns & resource library!

Find My Work at:






© Copyright Notice

All images and text copyright ©2013-2020 Radiant Home Studio, unless otherwise noted. Please be kind enough to link back to my site and contact me if you would like to use my images.

Disclosure

I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

  • Disclosures & Copyright
  • About
  • Contact me!
  • Digital Pattern FAQ’s

Resources I Love:







Featured Posts:

  • How to Make A Waxed Canvas Gift Pouch | Radiant Home Studio

    How to Make a Waxed Canvas Gift Pouch

Sewing Tutorials

Denim Pocket with Grommets and Denim Shoulder Strap| Tote Bag Upgrade | Radiant Home Studio

Sewing Patterns

Surface Design

home page 1 - radiant home studio design

radianthomestudio

surface pattern design • welcoming cards & creative home goods • modern sewing patterns • mom of 7 • beauty in the everyday

Sara Curtis | Pattern Design
I’ve always been a lover of paper goods and scho I’ve always been a lover of paper goods and school supplies, especially these happy little rolls of patterns. Which Washi tape is your favorite? 

#washitape #washitapeaddict #washitapelove #stationeryshop #wholesalestationery #prettytape
Yesterday I received something in the mail that I’ve been waiting about 15 months to see! It’s my Raised fabric from @clothworkswa 🙌🏻. 

It’s just as beautiful as I hoped and I cannot wait to see what you make with it!

Fabric shops…you can order from Clothworks! Give me a shout out if you have some in your quilt shop. 🧵I have some free sewing pattern samples I’d love to send to you! 

Thank you for all your support friends! Some of you have been hanging out with me for years and know that this is about 8 years of dreams finally in my hands. I’m honored that you are here, whether we just met or whether you’ve been here all along. 😘

#fabricdesign #fabricdesigner #clothworks #raisedfabric #radianthomestudiofabric #farmhousefabric #quiltshop #quiltshops #newfabric #newfabricalert #sewinglove #fabricstash
I created this pattern with home decor in mind. I’m a bit of a minimalist at heart (as much as one can be with 7 children!) and simple block print style patterns are my favorite. ♥️

Maybe it adds a little bit of order in a world that can feel a little out of control.✏️ What do you do to bring some order back to your life when it’s feeling chaotic and hard? 

#surfacepatterndesign #blockprintedfabric #wallpaperdesign #interiordesigninspo #geometricpattern #surfacepatterndesigncommunity #seekthesimplicty #simplehomestyle
Working with my people this week! ☀️ Community Working with my people this week! ☀️ Community, good food, sunshine, and laughter is a welcome and refreshing break. It has been such a joy to hug my favorite girls @ash_cascade_design @lissieteehee @bonniechristine and @iamlisajacobs. 🤗
One of my favorites! Last minute reminder that the One of my favorites! Last minute reminder that the Immersion Course closes tonight. I still have bonus one-on-one coaching sessions available if you sign up through my link tonight. 

#surfacepatterndesign #surfacedesign #creativeentrepreneur #makersgonnamake #makersofinstagram #spoonflowermakers
I have a special interview to share! Bonnie Christ I have a special interview to share! Bonnie Christine and I talked about the importance of community in growing a creative business. (because when you're the Community Manager...what else would we talk about!)

Welcoming people and providing a supportive place to learn and grow is important to both of us! The Immersion Course is the most energetic and supportive community experience I have ever been part of. 

If you are looking for a place to learn something new, grow your skills, or level up your surface design business, please consider joining us. 

Last year some of my quilting & art friends joined and I'm watching them design sewing patterns and beautiful products this year.

I'm offering a free coaching group coaching session following Immersion to help you figure out next steps if you sign up through my affiliate link. Five random students will get a free one-on-one session with me! (Right now that everyone...because I still have 3 slots left!) 

Message me with any questions you have about surface pattern design, how learning Adobe Illustrator can give you marketable skills, or how licensing your art and building multiple streams of income can add value to your life. 🙂

#surfacepatterndesign #creativecommunity #creativebusiness #creativemamas #surfacedesign #adobeillustrator #fabricdesigner #stationerydesigner #communitymatters #christiancommunityofcreatives #christianartist #communityovercompetition #sewingpatterndesigner #fashiondesigner
Load More Follow on Instagram
  • Disclosures & Copyright
  • About
  • Contact me!
  • Digital Pattern FAQ’s

Copyright © 2022 · Sara Curtis // beloved theme