Made by a Fabricista: Spring Separates in Melon, Paprika and Navy Blue

Ahh, Spring!  It's been a long time coming this year, and although this morning, the temperature was still in the 20's, I've been in the mood for sewing a few separates in anticipation of warmer weather.  Two of my new pieces are using linen/cotton blend prints from Julie's Picks Special Fabrics offering.  Did you know that if you are a Premium Member or member of Julie's Picks club, you get special previews of fabrics?  These special fabrics go live on the 2nd Tuesday of every month & are available for 3 days only at a special price!  The discounts are substantial, and I've noticed that the fabrics tend to sell out quickly. 

For my first item, I ordered this beautiful Melon Watercolor Floral Linen/Cotton Blend. 
I had used this type of fabric back in the fall, and fell in love with it.  The weight is just perfect for a skirt with no lining- it has enough weight to drape nicely, and doesn't cling at all.  I feel like it's pretty hard to find linen with printed designs, so I'm thrilled that Fabric Mart got more of it.  This particular print is large, which is great for a tall person like myself. 

I didn't want a complicated pattern, so I chose Kwik Sew 3233- it is an 8 panel skirt with an elastic waist.  It's basically just one pattern piece that you cut 8 times, but I did add in a rather large pocket, because I just have to carry my phone and keys with me all the time these days.  My phone is so heavy though that I think I'm going to have to tighten up the elastic so that it doesn't drag the skirt right off of me!

I don't like tucking tops into skirts, so shorter length tops are my favorite to wear with skirts.  This top is an old off-white linen top that I had made 4 years ago here!  I shortened the sleeves and dyed it coral to give it a new life.  This is something that I find myself doing more and more- making small changes like length or color change to an old favorite- particularly if it's made from a quality fabric like linen.  Reduce-reuse-recycle! (I'm pretty bad about the reducing part, but good on the reuse and recycling!)

For my next item, a tunic, I used a similar cotton/linen print with a dark blue background.   For this top, I used a pattern that I'd been looking for the right fabric for a decade, Vogue 8504. 

I'm always drawn to asymmetrical things, and this has both an asymmetrical neckline and hemline.  It looks complicated, but it actually went together very easily!  Probably due to the fabric- it's a nice stable fabric, so hemming it on the bias went smoothly. 

The pants are drawstring waist linen pants made from Fabric Mart's Paprika 100% linen.  I love, love, love this color- a perfect rusty red-orange.  I found the hat at a consignment shop and thought it picked up all the colors in this outfit.  I wear hats when I'm gardening most of the time, but I must admit feeling self conscious in hats outside of my yard.  What do you think of it?

My last project is a navy blazer made from a Halston Double Weave Suiting- boy is this a nice fabric! The navy is sold out, but it is still available in cream.  It might remind you of a ponte in weight and thickness, but it's not a knit- it just has a little stretch.

I really struggled with choosing a pattern as I have made jackets in the past that I haven't worn, and I didn't want to repeat that mistake.  Reasons that I haven't worn jackets in the past- too hot, too stiff, too short, too fitted.  So, I chose a rather unstructured, unlined long jacket pattern, Butterick 6473.  This one has a copyright of 2000, but it is still available on Etsy and Ebay.  I chose the hip length, 3/4 sleeve, cuffed view, and I did add patch pockets as well. 

I really, really like it!  It's none of the things that I haven't liked about previous jackets that I've made.  Since it's unlined, it's not too hot; it's hip length, loosely fitted, and the fabric is substantial, but drapes beautifully.  I even left off the interfacing in the lapels just to make sure that it wouldn't be too stiff anywhere.   I also think that navy blue is just such a classic Spring color.  I am really looking forward to wearing it with lots of different pieces.

I hope that your Spring is off to a good start, as well as your Spring sewing plans!  What are you in the mood for sewing this month?

Happy Sewing!

Ann

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