You probably already know that Itch to Stitch* is one of my absolute favourite indie pattern designers and that pretty much all of her patterns are exactly my style and very flattering for me so I always make sure to keep an extra close eye out for any tester calls! The Bonn shirt* has beautiful details, a super pretty collar and neckline and is once again totally my style for work or casual wear! I had lots of {non sewing related} hurdles to overcome during this test but I wasn't going to let any of them stop me from getting it finished albeit pushing me a day late.
Pattern Details
The Bonn* is a layered PDF pattern by Itch to Stitch* for a looser fit mandarin collared shirt and dress in US sizes 00-20 and separate sewing cup sizes A-DD (30 1/8" - 49" bust) and has options and pattern pieces for short, elbow length flared, three quarter or full length sleeves included. As always with Itch to Stitch* patterns, the Bonn* has very detailed size & measurement charts, print & cutting layout guides and are fully illustrated throughout with very professional drafting and finishing. The pattern pieces themselves have layers and all sizes have different line colour and styles so however you're printing, it will be super easy to assemble and cut. There are between 26 and 35 pages to print depending on size and style chosen and requires between 1.2m and 2.6m (1 3/4 and 3 yards) of 150cm (60") wide fabric {115cm/45" fabric can also be used for this but requires more} a small amount of suitable weight interfacing for the collar and neckline and up to 9 small buttons.
My Version
I made the size 0, C cup as per the measurement chart in a 100% cotton shirting. This was perhaps a poor choice as it's quite a stiff, easy creasing, non drapey fabric now it's made up but still, looks really pretty and more than suitable for both work and casual with different styling. I made the long sleeve as it's coming into Autumn now and it gets cold really quickly. I used 1m of 60" wide fabric, some light woven fusible interfacing and 7 pearl type shank buttons. I made it exactly as per the pattern with no alterations at all and it took me around 5.5 hours in total from printing to finished (this would be shorter if you chose a different sleeve length due to being able to omit the button cuff)
How does it fit?
The fit of the shirt is really nice in all but sleeve width for me. When making again I will slim the sleeve down a bit for my personal preference. The rest of the fit I feel is mostly down to the fabric choice. If I had chosen a softer fabric with better drape, it would have fallen slightly softer around me. The length is designed to be on the longer side so overall I feel it fits pretty closely to how it is designed to.
Tester Inspiration
Project Cost
Full price pattern - (£9.05) $12 - I received the pattern for free in return for testing
Fabric Cost - £5 ($6.63)
Notions & Thread - £2.26 ($3)
Total Cost - £16.31 ($21.63 USD)
Cost to make each additional around £7-£8 ($9.29-$10.61)
The Bonn* is on release sale for $9.60 (£7.24) until midnight tonight (12th Sept) only! AND There's an additional code 'dream' for a further 15% off your total basket if you buy 2 or more patterns as well!
PS. be sure to pick up your copy of the Vienna Top whilst you're there, I like wearing mine with my purple Belize shorts AND if you haven't bought the Marbella Dress {I'm sure you have but just in case....} why not grab that now as well!
Fabric Cost - £5 ($6.63)
Notions & Thread - £2.26 ($3)
Total Cost - £16.31 ($21.63 USD)
Cost to make each additional around £7-£8 ($9.29-$10.61)
The Bonn* is on release sale for $9.60 (£7.24) until midnight tonight (12th Sept) only! AND There's an additional code 'dream' for a further 15% off your total basket if you buy 2 or more patterns as well!
PS. be sure to pick up your copy of the Vienna Top whilst you're there, I like wearing mine with my purple Belize shorts AND if you haven't bought the Marbella Dress {I'm sure you have but just in case....} why not grab that now as well!
The Verdict!
A beautiful stylish shirt and dress with several sleeve options suitable for dressing up or down! I see several more on the horizon once I slim down the sleeves for my preference. I also quite fancy adding sleeve tabs so I can roll them up a little too!
Related Blogposts
To buy the Bonn Shirt & Dress pattern, click HERE!*
Affiliate links included throughout this post marked with an asterisk '*' it costs you nothing extra but means I get a few cent's if you buy the pattern after clicking through. I would love it if you could use them if this post has inspired you but feel free to navigate there yourself if you prefer! All opinions expressed on my blog are entirely my own. Thanks, Sarah
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