Sewing Style

Prairie Style Wilder Gown Top By The Friday Pattern Company

This is my second version of the Wilder Gown by the Friday Pattern Company. My first make was a full length prairie style dress with two tiers on the skirt. This time around, I sourced some beautiful quality washed linen, at a bargain price and decided to make the blouse version. It only took an afternoon, such a quick sew that the next day I wore it for our family day out in Bridport…

[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]If you don’t sew I have sourced some similar prairie style alternatives from the high-street and added them to the end of this post.[/perfectpullquote]

Prairie Style

Prairie style has been sneaking up on us this summer and is hotting up for autumn and winter. All those tiered maxi dresses you may have spotted on Instagram, they have their origins in the prairie style dresses of Laura Ashley from the early 1970’s. As someone who was a teenager in the 70’s and wore them the first time around, take it from me nothing is new!

Prairie Style Wilder Gown Top By The Friday Pattern Company

Another strong influence for this trend is the new film of Little Women, directed by Greta Gerwig. We will have to wait until December 26^th to watch it but, I am very much looking forward to seeing this one. The costumes I saw in the trailer looked amazing.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]As someone who was a teenager in the 70’s and wore them the first time around take it from me nothing is new![/perfectpullquote]

The Friday Pattern Company

Designs sewing patterns for the modern woman that are minimalist and easy to sew. 5% of all proceeds go to a rotating collection of charities. What a wonderful way to give something back, it also makes for guilt free sewing!

My Sewing Details:

I cut out a medium size version for this top, as I felt the dress I made was a little roomy. For the wilder gown top you only need to use 3 pattern pieces. I lengthened the blouse by an extra 2 inches, I’m glad I did because I have a long body. Next time I will lengthen it even more.

Wilder Gown Top Pattern available from the Friday Pattern Company here

It took me an afternoon to sew, including adding optional french seams I also overlocked/serged some pieces to stop the linen fraying when washed.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Sewing patterns for the modern woman that are minimalist and easy to sew.[/perfectpullquote]

Linen Fabric is perfect for my Wilder Gown top

I probably don’t need to mention that linen can be very expensive to buy by the metre. Depending on the quality, the one I liked was a medium weight for £20 per metre, too expensive for me. So I came up with the bright idea of buying a linen table cloth that was 3.5m long and only £20 in the sale (from H&M Home online) After cutting out the blouse I still have enough left over to make another dress. Win win I say…!

Linen is more sustainable than cotton.

Flax, the plant from which Linen is made, is also extremely versatile. Every part of the flax plant has traditionally been used to create a worthwhile product – nothing is wasted, and production is cost effective. A common by-product of flax is Linseed Oil, which is great for wood preservation, especially in varnishes. Flax is resilient and can grow in poor soil, using far less water in its consumption than cotton

[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] Flax is resilient and can grow in poor soil, using far less water in its consumption than cotton [/perfectpullquote]

This linen blouse kept me cool, whilst walking around Bridport and kept me cosy when strolling along the breezy beach front…

Broadchurch

Do you recognise the cliff behind me in the last image? If you are a fan of the TV show ‘Broadchurch’ you will recognise it as the fictional town where the series was filmed and the beach where a lot of the action took place.

Similar prairie style blouses from the high street that I like:

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Prairie style blouses similar to the wilder gown top

1. Next Grey Marl pop over blouse

Pop over top is designed for an easy all-day wear; made with a lightweight fabric to help keep you cool and comfy. With a curved hem and button cuffs, it features a deep V-neck and delicate cut-out details. Wear yours with skinny jeans and heels, or tuck it into a flowy midi skirt. Machine washable. Main 100% Viscose. Lace 100% Cotton.

2. Zara linen long line blouse with buttons

V-neck blouse with sleeves falling below the elbow and turn-up cuffs. Featuring a seam with gathering and front button fastening.

3. Prairie Style M&S Cotton Blend Floral print Blouse

Designed with feminine ruffle detailing across the chest, around the neckline and on the shoulders. Finished with gentle blouson sleeves gathered at the cuffs and a delicate all-over floral print. Created in a soft, breathable cotton and Tencel mix for comfortable all-day wear.

4. Mango puffed sleeves blouse

Cotton fabric. Rounded neck. Puffed short sleeve. Tie detail sleeve. Button fastening at back.

5. Puffed sleeve knot Tie Blouse

Crepe collarless blouse with puff sleeves and a knot tie ribbon. Elasticated cuffs

6. M&S Peach mix cotton floral blouse

Add a little flower power to your wardrobe with this on-trend frilled blouse. Characterised by a ruffled collar and matching detailing across the chest and on the shoulders. Blouson sleeves gathered at the cuffs add further drama. Features a pretty all-over paisley-style floral print, it's created from a lightweight cotton and Tencel blend for a soft, breathable finish.