THE HAYES SEWING PATTERN IS HERE!
Meet the pattern we hope you’ll be wearing all summer: The Hayes Dress and Two-Piece Set! If you’re ready for a fun sew with style that’s easy to dress up or down and can be made in a weekend, this one is for you. We’ve got so much to share, including view options, style lines, fabric recommendations, and fitting advice, so let’s get into it!
The Hayes Pattern will be on SALE through
Friday, May 9th
No coupon code is needed!
Hayes Open Back Dress
Fabric Source || Sandwashed Cotton Poplin in Bubblegum from Fluid + Drape
Hayes Two-Piece Set
Fabric Source || Sandwashed Cotton Poplin in Sienna from Fluid + Drape
Hayes Full Back Dress
Fabric Source || Sandwashed Cotton Poplin in Cobalt from Fluid + Drape
Hayes Two-Piece Set
Fabric Source || Handwoven Cotton from Blackbird Fabrics
Hayes Open Back Dress
Fabric Source || Handwoven Plaid Cotton from Blackbird Fabrics
PATTERN DETAILS
Hayes is a woven dress or two-piece set in a maxi length.
The bodice features cap sleeves and a front neckline slit. The paneled skirt is an a-line shape with inseam pockets.
The dress includes two back options, an open cutout and full coverage. The waistline is adjustable with drawstrings that tie at the side seams. The waistline is designed to sit high at the natural waist. When sewing the set, the top is a cropped length.
The pattern is listed as an ADVANCED BEGINNER sewing level with plenty of features to keep all skill levels engaged. Included are detailed, step-by-step illustrated instructions to guide you along the way, and if you’d like more help, the Chalk and Notch Patterns Facebook Group is a great place to get support. Many of our testers are members there, so you have great resources if you ever need them.
We’ll have a photo sew-along available soon. Whether this is your first pattern or you’re a seasoned professional, we want to provide you with all the resources you need.
Hayes Open Back Dress (left) & Hayes Two-Piece Set (right)
Fabric Source || Red Cotton Poplin (a bit sheer) from Cali Fabrics (left) & Lady McElroy Cotton Lawn from Stone Mountain Fabrics (right)
Hayes Size Chart: Available in Sizes 0 – 30
Use the high bust and full bust measurements to determine your size when sewing the dress or top. Use the hip measurement to determine size when sewing the skirt. The waist is adjustable based on the drawstrings and elastic.
Reference the finished garment measurements and ease recommendations for more detailed fit information.
Hayes Open Back Dress (left) & Max Tee paired with the Hayes Skirt (right)
Fabric Source || Atelier Jupe Rayon from Surge Fabric (left) & Lady McElroy Cotton Lawn from Stone Mountain Fabrics (right)
Garment Ease & Finished Length
This style is designed to have 4″ (10 cm) of ease through the bust for the open back view and 3″ (7.5 cm) for the full back view. If you are between sizes in the bust, size up. There is 10″ (25.5 cm) of ease through the waist without elastic and 11″ (28 cm) of ease through the hips.
The finished length of the dress bodice ends high at the natural waist. The finished length of the dress and skirt is a maxi that ends above the ankle. The top is cropped and 1 1/2″ (4 cm) longer than the dress bodice. The finished center back measurements are listed below. Review them to see if you would like to add length to the bodice. Review the finished garment measurements to determine if you would like to adjust the length.
CUSTOM-FITTING ADJUSTMENTS
All our patterns include basic custom fitting adjustments, but you can find more detailed adjustments and fitting advice in our fitting post here. As always, we recommend sewing a muslin or test garment in non-precious fabric first to check the fit before sewing your final version. If you need additional help or have questions, please feel free to email me or join the Chalk and Notch Patterns Facebook Group – I’m always happy to hear from you!
FABRIC & NOTIONS
Main Fabric
This is a quick overview of the fabric and notion requirements, but if you are looking for specific fabric recommendations and inspiration, you can find more in our fabric post here.
This style is designed for light to medium weight woven fabrics. The bodice and sleeves are fully lined and lining is used for the skirt pockets and hem facing. If using main fabric for the lining, combine your fabric yields. A minimum fabric width of 54″ (137 cm) is required for the hem facing for sizes 28-30.
Recommended Main Fabrics
Light to medium weight fabrics with a good drape like rayon, cotton lawn, linen, chambray, etc are recommended for the Hayes.
More info on fabric recommendations can be found on our Hayes Pinterest Board here.
Fabric Chart
The minimum fabric required is listed. If you think you will need more for shrinkage, directional print, pattern matching or print repeat, please purchase accordingly.
Notions
Just a few basic notions are needed for sewing the Hayes. In fact, you may have the elastic and matching thread already in your stash.
- 1/2 YD (1/2 M) of 1/4″ Elastic for the Open Back Dress
- 1 YD of 1/2″ Elastic for the Dress & Skirt
- Coordinating Thread
Optional Notions
- A small piece of Fusible Interfacing
- Tailor’s Chalk for marking notches.
- Safety Pins for threading the drawstring and elastic through casings.
- A Hem Gauge is helpful for hemming.
- Ribbon for ties if not using main fabric.
TESTER PHOTOS
Testing a pattern is always when the process starts to feel really exciting. Our Hayes Testers were so detailed and made some gorgeous dresses and sets. While styled photos are never a required part of testing, we love sharing any photos that are submitted. Seeing a pattern on a variety of people and in different fabrics can be a valuable tool. You can find the Tester round-up post here.
I’d love to see what you come up with, so if you share your makes, please tag @chalkandnotch and use the hashtags #cnhayes and #chalkandnotchpatterns so I can see your creations.
Thanks for reading all about the Hayes Dress and Two-Piece Set sewing pattern!
XO, Gabriela
