February sewing - just in time for the tropics

In between working like a maniac and getting ready for a trip to the tropics, I've been sewing. Didn't have time to style these properly so you'll just have to steel yourself for badly lit photos of clothing lying on my kitchen table. Such is life.

Below is the piece I'm proudest of: a gauzy linen shirt entirely seamed with french seams. I left it open--it's actually a jacket pattern (Vogue 8715)--and the collar makes a lovely wide V-neck. It's not shown to advantage here, hanging limp on a hanger, but I just cleaned both bathrooms for the housesitter and I'm in no mood to model. Check out the pattern package, you'll see what I mean: http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v8715-products-13662.php?page_id=174.

It's a great pattern, although the back peplum can be a bit much in a heavier weave--this linen is super lightweight, almost like voile or lawn, so the peplum doesn't flare out over a person's booty. It goes together easily and quickly, and looks like it took twice the time to make than it actually did.

In fact I liked the pattern so much, I made a couple tank tops from a modified version of that pattern. They're below.


I also made 3 pairs of linen shorts, 2 with cargo pockets.
First of the 2 tank tops. This is a linen with a wonderful hand.
Second of the two tanks. This one looks crazy but it looks so cute on. These all have a high waist, almost but not quite an empire waist, and a slight A-line to the bottom half of the shirt, so they skim your curves. Really nice. I put in little pleats at the neckline as I'd cut the neck too wide.

Also, this is the skirt of a dress that I spent a lot of hours embroidering last fall, a la Alabama Studio Style. It's from a modified version of Simplicity 2614 (I think that's the number, anyway), which is a shirt pattern that I lengthened into a dress.

I also whipped up an easy linen skirt, long with side slits, and more french seams. The color doesn't translate that well here, but that t-shirt is actually a raspberry that matches the thread on the skirt. cute!

That's it. It's off to tropical climes, once the housesitter gets here in the morning. tra la!