We are ending the month with a new pattern release over at Patterns for Pirates!  Today is the official launch of our latest pattern: the RagDoll Raglan!  Why the name?  This top/dress looks like a raglan and a dolman got together and had a baby (with the classic raglan sleeve but a slouchy “batwing” arm)…so we did some math.

Rag(lan) + Dol(man) = RagDoll

I made three versions during testing, each with a different mix-match of the options that are available in the pattern.  First up was the 3/4 length sleeves, and the banded hem.

Officially, this might be my favorite top I’ve made so far this fall.  No joke.  I’m not the world’s biggest lover of slouchy fits on me, only because I sometimes feel like my shape gets lost in the top and I can sometimes look/feel heavier than I really am.  BUT, I do love taking a slouchy top, using a drapey fabric, and then adding a band to the hem.  It pulls it all back into my hips and balances it all out for me.

Also, this distressed knit is TO DIE FOR and it was so perfect for this top!  Eep!

Next up, I created a half sleeve, curved tunic length top out of some yummy double brushed poly.  I’ve ALWAYS been someone who loves to mix/match prints, which is probably why I obsess over raglans like I do.  And having a new pattern in my lineup that has raglan sleeves that have a dramatically different look than my others is a-okay with me!

Judy always drafts the tunics to hit just under your booty, which makes these shirts perfect for wearing with skinnies or leggings.  I’ve never been much of a leggings girl, so I don’t always need the booty coverage.  But I do like my shirts longer and love where the tunic lengths hit on me.  Plus it gives me a chance to pull it up into a knot on the side like I seemed to do with every single shirt ever this past summer.

And my third and final item during the testing period was a dress length, long sleeved version with the open back.  Apparently I need to find myself some cute bralets because I obviously couldn’t let you see my not-so-cute bras with this one.  So I ended up just wearing one of mine that dips low enough in the back that it doesn’t show.

I’m still a little bit on the fence about the 90’s velvet trend that has washed over the fashion world…but I had to try this out in a velvet anyway.  Part of me was afraid I would look like someone’s Mom’s couch.  But the other part of me loved being a little bit of a 90’s chick.  I couldn’t decide.  What do you think?

I told myself that if I was going to be a couch, I’d at least be a cute and confident couch.  So I tried as hard as I could in these photos to sell that 90’s vibe.

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Pattern: RagDoll Raglan by Patterns for Pirates

Fabric: Distressed Knit (Vinegar + Honey Co) | Floral + Striped DBP (Sly Fox Fabrics) | Floral Crushed Velvet (Sly Fox Fabrics) [/otw_shortcode_info_box]

**As always, you’ll find some affiliate links scattered within my post, which means I receive a small amount of compensation if you end up purchasing something I’ve recommended.  Thanks for helping to feed my sewing habits!