Taken from the Fran Set pattern from Closet Core, the Fran shirt is a relaxed top that you’ll love wearing this summer. Wear your shirt buttoned up, over a vest top or style with matching trousers for the full twin set on-trend look!
Fran has a flat collar and buttons down to the hem. Under the collar you can add a sweet button loop for extra detail and for a flush finish when fully buttoned up.
On the back there’s a lined yoke with a deep inverted pleat below. In her top tips video Lauren talks you through how to change this pleat to a box pleat or gathers, or simply omit it entirely for a sleek finish.
The pattern includes full length sleeves with cuffs, though these can easily be shortened to suit your tastes. Lauren discusses this in her video along with how to adapt the pattern to short sleeves.
Closet Core patterns always come with thought-out details and our favourite on Fran is the neat split hem, which is finished with a clean facing. Patch pockets can also be added to the front and Lauren shows you how to invisibly pattern match these - can you spot her Delphi tile pocket?!
Fran’s loose and comfortable fit means it’s a garment you’ll want to wear on repeat as the weather warms up. Our exclusive Goddess Collection viscose linens are a joy wear, with vibrant prints on a breezy base cloth. Sew up our add-on bundle for the coordinating trousers too and you’ll have the ultimate summer two piece!
Each kit includes enough fabric for the un-cropped shirt with full length sleeves. A separate add-on bundle with fabric and notions for the trousers can be purchased here.
This kit is available in all five designs of our Goddess Collection: Goddess Power, Bougainvillea Island, Delphi Tiles, pink Ariadne and blue Ariadne.
The g&g exclusive 'Goddess Collection' is inspired by hot days with the brightest of sunshine to give you that gorgeous summer feeling that makes you smile and relax. They contain icons from Greek Mythology, with Goddesses whose power reflects the power you feel when you can sew your own clothes, choose your own style and feel confident and proud in what you wear.
These five fabric designs draw deep inspiration from Greek mythology and the natural beauty of the Mediterranean, blending symbolic storytelling with vibrant visuals.
Goddess Power celebrates feminine strength through an array of goddess symbols - spot Selene’s moon, Aphrodite’s doves and Athena’s owl - all tied together with wave-like motifs inspired by Amphitrite’s hair. The Delphi Tiles print brings myth and culture together in a hand painted tile grid featuring 11 iconic symbols from Greek goddesses and daily life. Bougainvillea Island captures the idyllic charm of sun-drenched Greek islands, with vivid depictions of blue seas, wooden sail boats and blooming flowers. And the Ariadne design features a maze-like pattern which evokes the mythical labyrinth which Ariadne helped Theseus escape from, fittingly with a ball of thread.
All the prints are on our new off-white viscose linen base, which is 51% viscose, 36% linen and 13% cotton. This fabric is ideal for summer; breathable and drapey with that lovely slubby linen texture.
To see the fabrics close up check out the video in the main gallery above.
This pattern is available in sizes XXS to 4X
There are two size options for this kit:
Up to size XL: Bust 31 - 45”, waist 24 - 38” and hip 33 - 47”
Up to size 4X: Bust 31 - 60”, waist 24 - 53” and hip 33 - 62”
The full size charts, including finished measurements, can be viewed in the gallery above. It is worth noting that Fran is quite loose fitting and we sized down by one size on our shirt samples and also cropped the length. This is apart from the Blue Ariadne sample worn by Rosie, which is the original length and sized to her measurements.
If you'd like to see how the Fran Shirt looks on many different bodies, check out the Instagram hashtag, here.
- The PDF digital files for the Fran Set by Closet Core (Size range: XXS to 4X). The link to the PDF instruction booklet and information on how to download the PDF pattern files for ALL sizes are available to access when logged into the g&g website. The Fran Shirt and Trousers are both included with the digital files.
- A0 print out of the Fran Set. All sizes of the shirt and trousers are included on the print out.
- Main fabric: to make the shirt only, as described above. Up to size XL kits contain 2.6m of fabric (2.8 yards) and up to size 4X kits contain 3m (3.3 yards). The trouser fabric bundle can be found here.
- Interfacing: Ultra soft lightweight fusible interfacing in white. All kits contain 45cm.
- Buttons: 7 x 12mm corozo buttons in natural (Goddess, Bougainvillea Island & Delphi), pink (Pink Ariadne) or blue (Blue Ariadne)
- Thread: 1 reel of Gutermann sew all thread, shade 1
- Sewing Machine Needles: Size 80 needles
- Label: Exclusive Goddess Collection sew in woven label, 1 of 4 designs
- Video: access to Lauren’s top tips video, as described below
A physical print out of the instruction booklet will NOT be included. You can view the instruction booklet on your device at home, print it out at home, or add the 'printed pattern instructions' product (see link below) to your order and we will print it for you.
Alongside the purchase of this kit you will receive access to Lauren’s exclusive YouTube videos to be used alongside the pattern instructions.
She shares her hints and tips on getting a really lovely finish on your garment including how to cut and pattern match the Delphi print, how to sew the collar, how to sew the burrito yoke, how to shorten the sleeves, how to sew the side split facing, how to sew the patch pockets and much more!
The three videos have over an hour of footage, sectioned out with time stamps/chapters for easy reference and navigation. Both the shirt and trousers from the Fran pattern are covered in the videos.
The link to the video will be contained in your order confirmation email along with the pdf files, please file this safely for future reference
Closet Core rate this pattern as suitable for an intermediate dressmaker. Techniques include sewing a collar, sewing a burrito yoke, buttonholes and sewing a split hem facing. Elements such as the split hem, button loop and back pleat can be omitted for a simpler make.
To complete this project successfully you'll need a regular sewing machine along with Lauren's essential recommended sewing tools.
You can see some of the tools most used by Lauren in her top tips video in the Related Products section below.
If you would like a printed copy of the instructions sent out with your kit, in addition to the PDF copy that you will receive, please see the related products below and add it to your cart as a separate product.
Your kit will be wrapped in tissue and beautifully presented in recyclable packaging.
This kit is available for immediate dispatch.
As Sewing Society kits are processed and shipped from a different location to the shop, we are unable to group together kit orders with past or subsequent orders or combine orders retrospectively. Please click here for the full g&g Sewing Society shipping terms.
