Simplicity 8545 in Pink Lace

This little top started with the fabric; a pink corded lace with no stretch and a lovely scalloped border from Fabric Mart.  I knew I wanted to do a simple top with and wear a cami underneath for modesty.  Luckily, I already had Simplicity 8545 in the pattern stash.  The simple shell top was perfect for what I had in mind.  

This should have been a quick and easy sew, but the lace did complicate things.  I didn't have serger thread the right color and I didn't think it would give enough support to the seams.  Some places in the lace had so much netting that I didn't think French seams would do, either.    So I used an overlock stitch on my sewing machine set to a short length and wide width and stitched 1/4  inch from the regular running stitches and trimmed the excess.  This worked nicely and didn't create too much bulk.  

The neckline called for bias binding but I couldn't find anything that matched well enough.  So I made binding from the lace itself.  It came out rather neatly I think.  

Thanks to the border, at least the bottom and sleeves didn't need hems.  At least that part was easy!  

The center back seam forms a keyhole closure.  I used a bit of ribbon and found a pretty little button in the button collection.  I've enjoyed wearing this top but always wear my pink cami underneath.  Far from being an orphan, it goes with my navy slacks, khaki slacks, dark wash jeans and denim skirt.  I have a gray skirt with pleats for a dressier occasion and black wide leg dress pants, as well.  

Hope you're having a great sewing day.

Birthday Party in Simplicity 8138 and Vogue 8926

It's been a minute or two since I've blogged or sewn.  July was such a busy month with a trip to Texas and couple of camping trips taking most of my sewing time.  A family birthday and the Endless Combinations contest urged me into the Sewing Room.  The result being this outfit:

The pants are Simplicity 8138 and are so comfortable!  I've made this pattern before in an oatmeal colored linen.  They're one of my favorite things to wear in the summer.  They have an elasticized waist band and pockets, so you know they're uber comfy but still practical.  

The fabric is a soft linen from Fabric Mart.  The pattern itself is clear and well-written; no problems there.  I had to make some adjustments to get it to fit though since I'm so short waisted and have a very rounded derriere.  First I folded out 1" at the front crotch; then I lowered the center front 1½ inches tapering to nothing at the sides.  Then for the back, I raised the center back ¾ inch and added ½ inch to the back inseam at the crotch to extend the seat a little.  The weave on this linen is looser than the other slacks, so I might have been able to make it in a size smaller.  Something to consider next pair.    Yes, I love  this pattern so much there will be another pair someday. 

The top is Very Easy Vogue 8926 and it lived up to its claim.  It was very easy to assemble.  There are many markings and dots to keep track of but as long as you do, the top goes together quite easily.  It's made from a poplin shirting also from Fabric Mart.  I seldom sew with cotton and I always wonder why once I do because it's such a pleasure to sew with. 

I noticed when wearing it that day, and in the pictures here, that there's quite a bit of gaping at the underarm area.  I had to take that in by about 2 inches to make it fit nicer.  It's perfect for the hot, humid summer we have here.