Hey Everyone,

Hope you are all doing well. A little while back, The Hemp Shop, based here in the UK, reached out and asked if I would be interested in making something from one of their hemp based fabrics. I was allowed to select a fabric of my choice and also paid to write this blog post. As ever, all opinions are my own and I always try to work with businesses who provide quality products that I am genuinely happy to promote.

I decided to make something from their fine hemp linen. Don’t be fooled by the name. This 100% hemp linen is not lightweight. It is a substantial cloth which would be beautiful for any number of garments, including, shorts, shirts, trousers or blazers. It has a great weight to it, but also good drape and a wonderful soft hand. It is a finely made cloth, and I love the neutral, natural colour. So versatile. This fabric washed, sewed and pressed like a dream. If you interested in finding out more about this sustainable and organic fabric, please head to The Hemp Shop’s website to read more.

I paired my hemp linen with a classic looking pattern: McCalls 8030, and I love the finished result. This is an easy to sew pattern (cut on sleeves and no waist seam means there are minimal pieces to cut), and the finished look is so classy. I know the weather is now too cool to wear this dress, but I also know I will be able to take this dress out of my wardrobe next summer and for many summers after that.

See below for details of adjustments that I made, but overall, I really love how this one turned out.

Pattern Adjustments

• This is view B, with the cuffs from view A
• I cut a size L through the sleeves/ shoulders and graded out to a size XL at the hips
• This dress is very straight, and I ended up adding about 1.5 inches extra to the side seams from the waist to the hem, and took a 3/8ths inch seam allowance there
• In lieu of a full seat adjustment, I added 1 inch to the width of the back piece which was then cut on the fold. This resulted in 2 inches of extra width, which I gathered at the top to fit the back yoke seam
• I added 5.25 inches length and added side slits
• I added front patch pockets

Roll on next summer when I can hopefully get lots of wear out of this organic fabric dress!