Summer Sewing

With The Great British Sewing Bee back on the telly and Me Made May just around the corner, I’m feeling super inspired to sew some summer clothes! Unfortunately that’s mostly translating into buying fabric and patterns rather than actually sitting down to sew… but preparation is important.

I’ve almost finished my Eventide top (Ravelry link). I just need to do the neckline and sew in the ends - so expect to see a Journal on that soon (ish… so many ends!).

I’ve realised that I have very little to actually go with it - so I’ve been thinking about what I can sew to wear with it that will also go with other items in my wardrobe.

I have some dark teal/blue fabric in my stash that I think would make a good skirt to go with Eventide and also my Burnt top and a fancy beaded top which I will wear if I ever go out out again.

I’ve seen lots of skirt patterns that I like, but I keep coming back to the fact that I’m not sure I want to wear something that doesn’t have an elasticated waistband! My favourite bought skirt has a flat waistband at the front and it’s elasticated at the sides and back. I feel like I look nice in it but it’s also really comfy (and it has pockets).

I was starting to think I might trace a pattern from it or hack another pattern to add elastic at the back… and then found the Estuary Skirt pattern. I’d see it before but didn’t realise that the back of the waistband is elasticated.

I’m planning to make a full length version without the button band at the front. It will hopefully be perfect for fancy occasions or just swishing around the garden!

I also bought some new Ramie fabric from Guthrie & Ghani. Ramie is made from nettles - it has a similar drape to linen and is also breathable, but apparently doesn’t crumple as much (fingers crossed). I was planning to use it for a simple summer dress like one I made last year…

But it’s possibly a bit too heavy for that, so I’m thinking maybe a shorter Estuary Skirt with buttons so that I have a fancy occasion one and a more casual everyday one. Can you tell I like teal?

I also really want to make some jeans this year. They scare me a bit and I think I would need to do a lot of toiling, fitting and tweaking. Have you ever made jeans? Let me know if you’ve found a good pattern!