A Nod to the Nautical with a Vogue Linen Tunic

It's hard getting back into a routine! I just realized I completely missed posting last week. I still have this to share with you, so I'm catching up now. 

The other project I finished in August was a top using Vogue 9364. This is a pattern I've owned for ages and always wanted to use. It consists of a top with scarf plus loose trousers. I wanted to make the pants as well, but didn't get around to it. The top will have to do for now! 

I used a linen blend in my stash that I had earmarked for this pattern a while back. I couldn't seem to see it matched up with any other pattern, so thought I should just make this and get it out there into the world. It somehow reminds me of nautical flags. 

The pattern description is "Very loose-fitting pullover top" and I should have taken heed. I could have sized down at least one size here. But it's still a light and flowy top, lots of fun to wear. The fabric is really soft, with a nice hand. 

I cut it with pretty much no big changes. Shortened the sleeves about about 1.5" but that is pretty normal for me and my short arms. They suggest purchased bias for the neck finish but I thought this fabric was too light for a purchased cotton-poly bias tape, so I just cut my own from self fabric. It worked fine. 

The pattern also calls for three buttons on the scarf and thread button loops on the neckline to hold the scarf in place. I didn't bother, it seemed unnecessary to me, as it would only serve to hold the scarf  a little further out from the neck. For that small aesthetic choice, I weighed my desire to have button loops poking at me at the neckline and left them off. I have worn the top without the scarf and it is nice. With the scarf it's just a little warmer and of course then I don't wear a necklace. 

One more fabric that I've wanted to use is out of my stash and into my wardrobe. I am liking this trend!

I have to do a wardrobe clear-out next, to make room for some of the new things I'd like to make in the upcoming months. I always find that difficult but have to balance new items with what's already here. Stash organization is an ongoing process but wardrobe organization is much harder for me! I generally like most of what I make for myself so want to keep it - but my closet is not a Tardis, so time to thin it out a bit :)

Sew What You Need in June

When I was trying to pack light for my recent travels, I was having some difficulty putting together a small capsule wardrobe. Many pieces in my wardrobe are standalones, and trying to put together 5 or 6 pieces that could be interchangeable was harder than I'd expected! I really noticed a lack of button up shirts in my closet. I was hoping to take one that I could wear as a shirt and also open as a kind of jacket. There was nothing really suitable for that purpose.

And then a Sew Over 50 challenge called "Sew What You Need June" popped up in my IG feed and I thought, well, I know what I need! So I've decided I could really stand to make one or two solid colour button up shirts for my wardrobe this month. 

I have sorted through my patterns and chosen a few that might do the trick. I have 3 choices for a long sleeved button up shirt, just have to choose one to move forward with! 

I have also pulled 3 patterns for short sleeved button front blouses, all from my thrifted retro stash; the Simplicity one has a hidden button placket. The Simplicity and Burda ones use small amounts of fabric so might work well with some of my recent thrift store fabric purchases. 

I have a few fabrics I'd like to make summer wear with, so hopefully I can match up at least one of these blouse patterns with one of these fabrics! I seem to be sewing very slowly these days so if I can get to one I will be happy :) 

Solid rayon, cotton & linen

Colorful cotton prints!