Introducing the Arkie Shirt & Bailee Shorts
Bringing you some double delight because today we’re releasing TWO new patterns! Meet the Arkie Shirt and Bailee Shorts. We love them paired together but there’s no favouritism here because we love them equally as separates too.
First up, let us introduce the Arkie Shirt. We describe Arkie as a hip-length button through with a revere collar, side splits and two lower patch pockets. The boxy silhouette moves effortlessly between contemporary and classic styling and pairs perfectly with pants, jeans and shorts.
This style of shirt is the perfect choice for warmer months. Light, loose and comfortable, we love it for relaxed occasions like holidays, picnics, festivals and casual indoor/outdoor hangs.
In keeping with Arkie’s relaxed factor, there’s no interfacing on the collar and facings, but you can definitely add this in if you prefer a little more structure.
Love Birds silk crepe de chine (above) sold out.
It also looks great worn open with a tank top underneath and works as a cute beach set too. The set below is made up in our Tropical Printed Linen.
Lisa (below) made hers using two panels of this incredible Pucci-esque linen/viscose – July Tree Panel Print – omitting the pockets. She’s wearing it with her Chiara Pants made in Black Pebble Wash Linen.
Gabby’s version (below) is made up in Watermelon Lino.
Level up your Arkie Shirt with Part 2 of today’s pattern release – the Bailee Shorts. In the spirit of gin and tonic, Lennon and McCartney and mac and cheese, Bailee and Arkie are going down one of those all-time perfect pairings.
Bailee Shorts (above) made in Bedford White Washed Linen
Recommended fabrics for both the Arkie Shirt and Bailee Shorts are fabrics with body and drape. We love it in viscose, silk satin, silk crepe de chine, linen and cotton.
Patterns are sold separately but as a special introductory offer and for two weeks only, you can buy both patterns in a hardcopy bundled pack at the reduced price of $45 (normally $53). PDF bundle pack is $25 (normally $30). Offer ends Tuesday 15th February.
The Arkie Shirt and Bailee Shorts come in (Australian) size ranges 6-22 and are now available in both hardcopy and PDF copy shop/print-at-home versions. UK/EU customers can purchase patterns or pack from our Tessuti Pattern UK website here.
We can’t wait to see your versions and if you’re sharing them with us on Instagram, don’t forget to use the #TessutiPatterns #ArkieShirt and/or #BaileeShorts hashtags.
Colette and Lisa collaborate to bring you this here Tessuti blog. Follow us to keep your finger on the pulse of new pattern releases, reviews, tips, techniques and a healthy dose of love and appreciation for all things fabric and sewing!
I made the shirt and shorts in a heavier linen and they look fabulous. I found the instructions not as good as in previous patterns and found I had to read them carefully two or three times to understand what I was meant to do! I’m an experienced sewer so can usually work out what I need to do next! The photos were also hard to see as they were smaller and the floral fabric made it difficult to see where to sew! I normally highly recommend Tessuti patterns especially for the clear instructions, but won’t for this set of patterns. Now I’ve made one set, 5e next lot will be a lot easier. Thanks
Thanks for the feedback Bronwyn
I’m slugging through this pattern as well. I’m an experienced sewer and am having a difficult time with the collar instructions. They need to be larger print and more clearly written. This is my first Tessuti pattern and I’m hesitant to try another one. A video would be very helpful too.
Hi Julie, Thank you for your comments. What part in particular are you struggling with, so we can help you further?
We have emailed you the PDF of the instruction booklet, which will allow you to zoom into the photos for a closer look. Happy to help guide you through with anything that is not clear.
Best regards
Colette
Hi, I’m just about to cut out the Bailee shorts, and am very confused by the waistband casing. It says to cut 1, and on the layout it’s kind of hanging off the edge off the fabric. But 1 really isn’t going to be long enough to go around my waist. It does say something about tracing the pattern onto the fabric, but honestly, the whole thing has me confused. I’m quite an experienced sewer, and have made Tessuti patterns before, but this has me baffled. Any advice?
Hi Wendy, as the pattern piece instructions, you need to trace out the waistband casing on the fold to get the full length. If you flip the pattern (on the fold line edge) and trace out the other half you will have the full length. The pattern layout shows it laid out on the fold line of the fabric, to demonstrate where best to lay it on the fabric to minimise fabric meterage. If you open up the fabric on the fold, it will be wide enough to cut the waistband casing (cut 1 piece) and cut on the true grain of the fabric.
Although the Bailee pattern is marked for beginners, and it looks simple enough, being elastic waisted shorts, I would not recommend this pattern to newbies. I agree with others that the instructions are complicated and the pictures difficult to decipher (the image of the split hem was particularly difficult to see clearly) .As an experienced sewer I was expecting to breeze through the shorts in a morning, and then get started on the matching shirt. It took a lot longer than that, and quite a bit of unpicking. TBH it shook my confidence a bit.
Thanks for the feedback Carolyn.