Over the past few weeks, I have been having so much fun sewing up the newest pattern by Greenstyle Creations – the Havana! While sewing, I have been swaying my hips, dancing around, and singing because the Havana song is definitely stuck in my head. It is the perfect name for this pattern! I LOVE the vibe of this dress. It screams “take me on a date to the beach,” and yet, I feel like I am wearing secret pajamas while wearing it. As you can expect in any Greenstyle pattern, you have so many options that you are sure to find something that you will fall in love with and make over and over again. I have already made four different versions that I get to show you today. Also, keep reading to the end to get a few tips on working with shifty fabric and getting on point bias.
Havana Version #1
Options. The Havana Dress and Top pattern comes in 3 views. View A, shown in my first dress, is a racerback. View B has a lace up back with a gathered short or maxi skirt. Finally, View C is a low scoop back with straps that can be crossed in the back or tied as a halter. The pattern has cut lines for a top version, a short dress, or a maxi. Also, you can do the View B gathered skirt with the View A and C back options.
Fabric. The Havana pattern is drafted for lightweight woven fabrics. Think flowy, drapy, soft woven fabric with no stretch. This is not a pattern to use quilting cotton for. I used rayon challis for all of the versions that I sewed during testing. The dress shown here was made using Sly Fox Pocketful of Posies in black. This fabric has wonderful drape, and I love how it flows when I walk.
Sizing and Adjustments. The Havana pattern comes in sizes XXS to 3XL (full bust 32 – 47 inches). I made a straight size XS, which is exactly where my measurements put me. I am 5’2″ (with shoes on and standing tall!) so I removed some length. I still left it a bit long so that I could wear heels or flats with it.
Breastfeeding Access. The pattern includes the instructions to finish the binding on the shoulders so that it is a closed loop. However, I added 12 inches to the measured binding for this view so that I could have extra strap to tie at the top. This gives me easy nursing access.
POCKETS!! Yes, pockets make me so happy. This dress has pockets in all versions (except the tank top of course)
Havana Version #2
The next version that I made is a tank top View A. I love this easy top. It took me less than 3 hours from printing to finish to sew this. I made several stops to nurse, get snacks, respond to Facebook, nurse again, and you get the picture. I sew slow. This will get so much wear this summer with shorts and sandals! I think I need to make at least 4 or 5 more of this version.
Havana Version #3
The third version of the Havana I made is a gathered skirt with the low back of View C. The key to the low back is to let it be LOW. If you try to tie your straps up where it covers your bra, you will have lots of gaping in the bust. I had not made my straps quite long in enough in this version (the pattern was since updated with longer strap lengths) so I added straps to the back bodice, crossed them, and tied them at the shoulders. I also could have just tied it as a halter around my neck.
The back of this dress is stunning and looks fabulous with all those cute bralettes that are popular or as a swim cover up.
Havana Version #4
Lastly, I made a View C dress with a regular (non-gathered) skirt. I took a little bit more length off of this one when adjusting for height, so I added a facing to the bottom so that I did not lose much more length. I think the length is perfect now and love how this dress turned out.
Tips for bias binding
To apply the binding, you first sew the binding’s right side to the wrong side of the seam. Pay attention to your seam allowance when applying it to the wrong side. If you use a 3/8 inch seam allowance it will be really hard to wrap it around to the front and have enough to tuck under before top stitching. Use a quilters 1/4 inch seam allowance and you will have pretty binding. When applying it, stretch it on the curves. This is a slight stretch and helps it to sit nicely. And press!
Tips for working with SHIFTY fabric
A lot of the fabrics that are perfect for this dress are not the most cooperative to work with. Don’t skip out on pressing. In fact, use starch. The more starch the merrier. Starch will make the fabric easier to cut and less likely to move all over the place on you.
You can grab a copy of the Havana Pattern here.
Which version are you going to sew up? I think my next version will be a knit tank top. I plan to size down for my knit version like the pattern suggests and am excited to see how it will turn out.
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Disclosures: I received this pattern for free as part of the testing process to give the designer feedback about the instructions and fit of the pattern. This post also may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small compensation when you purchase via my link. There is no cost to you. Any and all opinions expressed are my own. I also received the rayon challis fabric that I used for dress number 1 from Sly Fox fabric for free.
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