A pretty summer top...

I've been doing a bit of sewing just for me for a change and I'm really enjoying  it. I haven't sewn something for myself for about 3 years so I was feeling a little out of practice but it didn't take long to get into the grove.

Last Monday I had a day out shopping with my Mum and bought 3 different prints for a top, a skirt and a dress. I almost always are drawn to the blues and greens but this time I picked different colours without even realising although its fair to say there weren't many blue/green prints to be had. Anyway Spotlight had 40% off all fabrics so for less than $70 I will have 3 new pieces to add to my summer wardrobe.  I used patterns that I already had so that also saved a bit. This pattern is 'New Look 6179' and the fabric I used is a really soft Swiss cotton that drapes beautifully. 

The one thing I changed to this pattern was to add 5 rows of elastic shirring approximately 5 inches up from the bottom. I used to be scared of doing elastic shirring until I saw this video on Heather Ross's  blog about how easy it was and it is very easy and satisfying.

The pattern uses bias binding around the bottom of the armholes and for the casing around the neckline.  I just happened to have some perfectly matching red bias binding in my sewing box. I also added one of my wee labels to give it a little professional touch.

 I'm looking forward to wearing this top and feeling more feminine as I'm a little tired of my shorts/t-shirt wardrobe rut that I seem to be in at the moment.

Next up is the skirt!