The Sewjo Returns

Steph's Laurel

This week my sewing mojo (Sewjo) returned. I completed the Laurel blouse I'd been slowly sewing for a friend (it looks exactly like my Rayon Laurel), and even managed to make another Laurel for myself.



The Laurel I made for myself had also been a long time coming. The fabric and pattern were sitting on my sewing table for at least the past month. It all started when I found a cute top at Anthropologie, tried it on and loved it, but looked at the price tag & fabric content and about fainted. Then I decided to make my own version.


A slightly more accurate representation of the fabric coloring can be seen here.

Lumine Dot Blouse from Anthropologie

The inspiration blouse costs over a hundred dollars, is imported, and is made of soft cream colored rayon embroidered with neon orange and pink polka dots. It has a 1/3 zip down the back, which seems a little trendy and unnecessary to me. The sleeves have a slight puff at the cap, which I was excited about because I'm horrible at easing/setting in regular sleeves and the puff/gathering gives you a little wiggle room.

For my version, I chose a Marc Jacobs cotton silk from Mood that I'd spied when Tom and I visited the LA store and I was too overwhelmed to buy anything. Thank goodness I was able to find it online.  It's very lightweight and has a bit of a sheen to it. The spotted pattern is a dark dot with a brighter outline around it, which makes for a pinky/red look. Gertie has some in the orange color scheme in her Etsy shop.

I ended up making about 17 miles of bias binding, which sounds tedious but always ends up being something I rather enjoy making. I used the binding to finish the neckline, sleeve openings, and as a facing on the shirt hem. I also decided to add a little bias tape bow at the back of the neckline, for what I thought added a '60s vibe.

My favorite part of this project, though, is how the sleeves turned out. I'd planned to give them a little poof at the top, so I wouldn't have to struggle with setting in the sleeves, but I didn't end up needing to! For once in my life I was actually, for some reason, able to insert the sleeves normally with minimal strain or effort on my part. Well, apart from the fluke when I put the first sleeve in inside-out.

Ahh, what a glorious sleeve! I'll be sure to post more photos, including some of me wearing the finished top, soon. Thanks for sticking around while I experienced my mental vacation/sewing rut this month. I'm glad to be back now!

Oh, and if you ever find yourself in a similar rut, may I recommend the Laurel from Colette Patterns? It's not complicated, but just involved enough to make ya feel accomplished upon completing it. :)

Spring Sewing Swap

Wow, this has been a crazy week. I was home sick for 2 days with a horrible cold and Tom is traveling on business (with his camera containing my photos of me in my latest dress project). Last week, in the midst of the wedding prep. & frenzy going on for Tom's brother's big day, I got a lovely package in the mail. It was my sewing swap loot and as soon as I opened it, I was SO excited.

I was paired up with the lovely and chic Lucinda of Sew Wrong. She literally included every single thing I'd told her I love when we'd discussed via email while setting up the swap. This girl is amazing! Check out what I got:

A nice looking pile of sewing goodies, wouldn't you say? Here's a closer look.

An adorable little card and the cutest, polka-dotted floral bias tape you've ever seen.

Two dress patterns!! I'm loving the jacket in the vogue pattern and the sleeveless view of the simplicity 1960s pattern - can't wait to try that one with a contrasting skirt and bodice.

Pretty, pretty floral fabrics! 2 1/2 yards of each! The blue fabric is a nice drapey rayon and the blue & red/pink one is a lightweight cotton. Both perfect for summer sewing!  Here's a closeup of each:

floral cotton

floral rayon

I know it's hard, you guys, but try not to be too jealous! If you didn't play this year, you'll just have to participate in Kerry's sewing swap next time around! It's so fun to be paired up with and meet different sewing bloggers out there, I'm already looking forward to the next swap. If you want to see what I sent Lucinda, check out her post (and much nicer photos!) over on Sew Wrong. Enjoy!

Finished Project: Laurel v. 4

So, it's no secret by now that I'm completely in love with the Laurel pattern from Colette Patterns. I've already sewn up two dresses and a collared top from this pattern, and I just don't really see any reason to stop!

My first Laurel top was made from a shirting cotton that was more on the crisp side than drapey. It worked great for the collar, and I love wearing the top, but I also wanted to try the Laurel top in a lighter weight fabric that had some more drape to it. When I found this colorful, pretty, rayon print at JoAnn fabrics, I knew it was meant to be.

The great thing about this pattern is that you can sew a size 6 sleeveless version with just a yard of fabric, and that includes enough to also make your own bias tape for finishing the neckline and armholes!

I sewed this up in a long afternoon and honestly don't have much to even say about this blouse. Things I did differently this time around were to cut out the top about an inch and a half longer than the pattern, and also I used French seams throughout.

As you might have guessed, I LOVE THIS TOP -- the fabric is soft and lovely, the colors are great, making and applying the bias tape facings/finishes was very satisfying, and every time I wear the thing, I can't stop petting and admiring it. With this make, I feel like I'm finally getting closer (or the goal is more within my reach) to cultivating a wardrobe that is full of things I've made (with a good amount of room for vintage finds, too). It was such a fun and stress-free top to whip up, I'm sure there will be more in the future.