I am really in the mood to sew easy garments for our short Seattle summers. If you expect to get any wear from your summer clothes they need to be done and ready for action early—early!
I think I might have just figured out my “go-to” summertime outfit!
What do you think about my slightly hacked version of the Santa Monica Tee by Textile Studio Patterns? I have used this pattern before, and as drafted it has a straight hem. Recently the amazing KnitnBee at Handmade by Heather hacked out a boxy Madewell tee knockoff from a Lady Skater pattern. I know, I know, I did not make a boxy tee like Heather, but her post just reminded me to make a design change on my existing patterns now and again. Mix it up! It turned out kinda cute, huh? The fabric is a black and white (what else?) cotton + lycra print from, ummm, somewhere. Maybe someplace in the NYC Garment District? Anyway, all this top needed was a little serge, serge + turn down and coverstitch the hems. BAM!
Is that a slug on my shoe? Aaack! Springtime in Seattle,folks.
OK, now let’s talk about my favorite new skirt pattern—the Magic Pencil Skirt from Pamela’s Patterns. No zipper. No waistband. Just a nice slim fit and pretty shaping. This version is out of a beefy black double-knit, and it stitched up super fast and fits like a dream. The only alteration I had to make was lengthen the skirt 1 1/2 inches (could have used another inch) and nibble it in a bit on the side seams. Pamela offers 2 waistband choices: a high-waist and an “at-the-waistline” option. Since I am a short-lil’-waisted gal, I definitely choose the “at-the-waistline” option. Four darts, 2 side seams, a sewn-on elastic waistband, + a machine-stitched blind-hem later and my new bestie was ready for prime time.
I actually made 4 Magic Pencil skirts the other day, so you are going to see more of them when I get a few new tops made to go with. I was reminded again what a great idea it is to make multiples of a single pattern, varying the fabric + trims + simple design lines to create unique looks.
Happy sewing!
Maris