Pattern Testing: Grainline Studio Augusta Shirt

Back in April, I had the pleasure of pattern testing the Grainline Studio Augusta Shirt & Dress. This was early on in the pandemic, so while it was (and still is) a strange time, I remember it being a welcome distraction to have something else to focus on.

Using pattern testers is a way for the designer to work out any bugs in the pattern before releasing it, such as issues with grading, missed markings, instructions that may be unclear, etc. I have pattern tested a handful of times before and often don’t see the pattern before I agree to participate, so have no idea if it will even be something I would have chosen to sew on my own. That can be a good thing for me, as it gets me outside of my comfort zone to try a style or silhouette I may not have otherwise. Even if I immediately like how the pattern looks, there’s a chance that what I sew may not be something I want to wear, nor do I expect it to be. I don’t volunteer to pattern test for that reason. I understand the process and genuinely like being a part of it, even if it doesn’t result in a wearable garment.

That all being said, I have a great track record with Grainline Studio patterns. They are a pattern company that I have sewn a lot of and if I haven’t sewn a pattern, I probably own it, so there was a good chance this would be pattern I liked. I have to be honest though, I wasn’t sure when I saw the line drawing and the description. In the past, I have always been more of a fit and flare kind of girl. “Cocoon shape” has never really been my thing, but I am warming up to it (spoiler, I LOVE this shirt and wear it all the time now, so this is the perfect example of broadening my horizons). Anyway, testers were able to choose between the shirt and the dress, so I chose the shirt; initially because it looked less cocoon shaped, but also because I am pretty much always in need of a new top.

Details

Pattern

Grainline Studio Augusta Shirt & Dress

Fabric

The suggested fabrics for this pattern are light to medium weight woven fabrics such as cotton, linen, chambray, rayon, etc. You know I love rayon, and luckily Blackbird Fabrics was still shipping, so I was able to purchase a beautiful, deliciously soft and drapey viscose poplin from them for this.

Size traced and sewn

Size 12

Pattern adjustments

• added 1″ in length

Construction notes

There are a lot of fun details in the Augusta Shirt that make it unique, including the asymmetrical lapel and the mitered split hem. The way the collar is constructed is very cool. Sewing it felt like doing origami with fabric. It’s really satisfying when it all comes together.

I also like the back yoke and inverted box pleat on the back.

Final Thoughts

This make is a great example of when the right fabric and pattern come together. I am very pleased with how it turned out. It’s been perfect for my Tuesday morning Zoom staff meetings when I want to feel a little more dressed up, but still want to be comfortable. The fabric and drape make it great for spring and summer, but I will be able to wear it into the fall and winter as well with layers over it (it goes great with my Blackwood Cardigan). I was thinking this would also be nice in an all black rayon and then I saw fellow tester Lisa’s version and now I know it would be good, so I may need to make another shirt in solid black.

Thank you to Grainline Studio for the opportunity to test this pattern. Launching a pattern in the middle of a global pandemic doesn’t sound ideal, so congrats on this hard earned pattern release!