Summer sewing

 This girl needed a special outfit this summer.  She was recognized for a story she wrote for a state competition and I wanted her to feel special.  I used NewLook 6465. 

She approved of the fabrics, both stash fabrics, and I was able to make the skirt reversible, which she loves. 

The pattern is a good one, for my tall girl I had to add at least 1 and 1/2 inches to the length of the top.  I slashed it midway and lengthened there.  I love simple little outfits like these.  The pictures were taken on the run which is the pace of our lives these days! 

Accepting her awards.

My sewing has been productive but I have been taking my time to make sure my projects are nice inside and out, so the sewing seems to go slower.  This shell top is from a silk sent to me in a mystery bundle by FabricMart.  I hand washed it beforehand and it behaved nicely when sewn up.  It was a really short length and narrow as well so I found a pattern that I thought I could squeeze a top out of.  The pattern is McCalls 7322. 

 
I can't decide if it looks better tucked in or out.  My husband says out.  Its very flowy and soft and slightly sheer so I wore a silk camisole (made for an upcoming Fabric Mart post) underneath.

I love simple luxurious things like carefully made silk shell tops.  I used french seams through out and for the neck and arms I finished them with bias binding made from the fabric.  I used a pattern piece dug out of an old vogue pattern that helps guide the bias binding making process.

There are tutorials out there for this method but I love having the pattern piece.  It makes the process more accurate for me when working with silk. 

Well that's what I've been up to lately and I am looking forward to making a few more special items for my daughters- especially since the eldest has already started school (!) and soon my Fabric Mart post will be up!  Happy sewing!