Thursday, June 12, 2008

Light and Airy

Whew! The 100 degree weather has finally passed us by, and I've never been so happy to hear "high eighties" in my life! I took a few days off from sewing, mainly because I couldn't face the thought of standing over the ironing board. Today I tackled another piece of fabric from my stash--a wonderfully lightweight brown and white print. And guess what! I made a shirt for a change!


I used the ever-popular Simplicity 3835, the Built by Wendy top. I had wanted to use it last week when I was refashioning that skirt, so it had been on my mind, and this seemed like a perfect opportunity to use it. Last summer, I made a muslin of this top, and I had some notes written on the pattern about the sleeves. I was not thrilled with the fit of the sleeves and thought they were too tight, so I took steps to fix that this time around. Originally, my plan was to go up a size, but I was worried that would make the body too billowy, so I just cut the sleeves a little wider and made the seams a little narrower. It worked great!

This top is really fun to sew, just because it goes together so quickly. If you have enough fabric, I would recommend cutting the back (as well as the front) on a fold, just to eliminate another seam. My notes from when I sewed it the first time said, "the worst part is the narrow hems," but I've learned I don't have to be all that precise with them, especially when using a printed fabric. I mean, really, who is going to notice if you every hem isn't exactly even? Especially with all that gathering.

This fabric's right side was barely discernible from the wrong side, so I marked each wrong side with a piece of tape. My mom is always telling me to put a pin in my fabric to mark the right side, but I always end up poking myself, so I like the tape better. Just be careful, if you use tape, not to IRON over it!

So now I'm thinking I really want something new to wear with this shirt. I have either a piece of brown linen or a piece of white that has sort of a pique thing going on.

Although I think a pair of shorts would be perfect for this, I'd like to be able to wear it to work, so I need to stick with either pants or a skirt. I've gone through my patterns, and nothing is jumping out at me. So, what do you think? Brown or white? Pants or skirt? And any pattern suggestions?

9 comments:

Christy said...

Since the top is billowy, I would wear it with a skirt. You might look like a sac instead. How about some capris or long walking shorts?
I think white would really set the top off. Just my two sense.

Cute shirt BTW!

Anonymous said...

Try the Janina 8087 from Burdastyle in either length.
http://www.burdastyle.com/patterns/show/468

Christy said...

I meant to say not with a skirt. It is getting late in the day.

I am sorry it took me three comments to get out what I wanted to say. But hey-third time's a charm right?

Copper said...

Well since I fell in love with the top I really want to say "send it to me" but that's not fair or right. It really is beautiful. I'd agree with the pants, but I have a moral objection to white pants in general so I'd go with brown, wide leg and long.

That's also probably because I seem to collect brown linen skirts at the thrift store so I would have a backup there....

But yeah, pants. I can also see the top with a long skirt, maybe in a dark red or green too and a belt to set it all off. But that's mixing it up a bit much for many people.

In any sense, beautiful top. Enjoy!!

Anonymous said...

White capris!!!

Darling Petunia said...

Christy...don't worry about the three comments. I love getting comments, so I was all excited when I saw how many there were! :)

I think you're right about the white--it does set it off. I don't know if I have enough fabric to make white capris, though, now that I think of it.

Darling Petunia said...

Copper, I wish I had enough fabric to make another shirt to send to you! Thanks so much!

Anonymous said...

Breezing through my fav sewing links and saw your top. I think some white city shorts (Simplicity 4110 maybe) and white cork platform sandals and a white bakelight bracelet would be awesome. It would be a great transitional outfit for cookout/cocktails on a hot summer night.

Darling Petunia said...

Oh, Leigh, I wish I were the white, cork, platform sandal type!