This post could quite easily consist of me going ‘squeeeeeee!’ accompanied by photos of my overly smiley face but it might be helpful to add a bit of background before we get to that.
Following on from my first two Maria Denmark Ediths I felt confident about cutting into some Liberty. I had a little over a metre of the red Liberty Carline Poplin in my stash for a while with no real plan what to use it for. Then I scored a metre and a half of the blue Tana Lawn on Ebay. While I was stroking it and pondering what to do, the other half helpfully suggested using it to make a blouse and so a plan was hatched. I decided to use both pieces and make a pair, a little more production line sewing. Maybe I’m just impatient but I’ve found it doesn’t really take that much longer to make multiples at the same time.
I cut out the red first as it was the smaller yardage. I managed to fit it all on but had to cut one of the front pieces on the cross grain. I spent ages trying to work out if the print had any direction but after twiddling and comparing decided it was multi-directional so would be fine. I ended up with a 40cm x 40cm chunk left, plenty to use for facings and pocket linings. The Blue was easily squeezed out and I pleasingly had more than enough left to make a pair of matching knickers!
I sewed them up the same as my previous two, a size 44 and C-cup. I French seamed them again (my overlocker must be feeling very lonely). the only changes I made were to:
- Lower the bust dart an inch
- Raise the back darts an inch
- Square off the collar
I didn’t have the right buttons in my stash so armed with swatches of fabric I made a trip to my local haberdashery. It took half an hour for me to decide, the most fitting were the red mother of pearl and some green vintage looking ones.
Anyway here’s some pictures:
Elderly photo bombing cat!
Squeeeeee face!
I’m struggling to put into words how pleased I am with how they’ve turned out. It was one of those projects where you get halfway through and start to get a tingly feeling in your stomach as you realise it’s going to be a winner. I finished them at the end of May and wore each one during the final days of Me Made May. As soon as May was over I’ve binge worn them constantly, at least having two means they get regular washing!
The fit is as near as perfect I’m going to get. I haven’t really sewn many sleeveless tops recently so they’ve definitely filled a gap in the wardrobe. They’re great with skirts and jeans and perfect under a cardigan, the red works really well with my green Miette and the blue with the green or the navy. I know I say this about every project but I really think these are the favouritest things I’ve ever made!
And of course there are the matching knickers!
Just Sew Therapeutic 
these look absolutely fantastic! I really like the carline fabric however have never made the splurge – i’m loving the edits you made to the collar too such a nice shirt 🙂
Thanks Jennifer! I’m on the hunt for a longer piece of the blue to make a shirtdress, it’s proving elusive though as I don’t think they make it anymore.
These are absolutely amazing on you and definitely worthy of a few good squeeeeees!! I love them both – so much so that I went and bought the pattern. They look like the perfect addition to your wardrobe.
They are both so lovely, I can see why you are wearing them all the time! You found perfect buttons for both of them ;o)
Thank you! I was so pleased to find the green buttons,they were perfect for the fabric!
I can really see this working for you, it really is a lovely pattern and so good to be able to squeeze it out of so little fabric, can’t wait to see what you make!
These tops are so lovely and figure flattering! The squared off collars look really good. Do you have a preference between the poplin and the tana lawn?
Thank you Tracy! Poplin is one of the suggested fabrics, it holds it’s shape well. I really like the Lawn though, being lighter it’s a little more comfortable and will probably be nicer in the warmer weather (if we ever get any!) x
No wonder you are going ‘squeeeeeeee’! They are both gorgeous and i love the green buttons!!
Thank you! I’m so pleased they worked out so well, especially with such precious fabric!
These are beautiful, and the buttons squee!
There’s something so satisfying in finding the right button! 😊
No wonder you’re feeling pleased, these are absolutely gorgeous! I love the red fabric so much!!
Thanks Lynne, I actually managed to find a red Carline bag on ebay so I’m very matchy matchy when I wear both of them! 😊
I love these so much!! This pattern is going straight onto my to make list. I have a few bits of fabric lying around which would be perfect for it. Once again you have influenced my sewing choices!! xx
It’s a great pattern to squeeze out of small yardages’. I’ve got a least two more in the queue. I’m a terrible enabler for your sewing purchases! 😊
These are so gorgeous – I definitely want liberty tops for summer!
Louise
I’m seriously thinking of making another with the garlic fabric, think it would be perfect on the project!
Adorable. They are sooo lovely. I love the buttons you’ve used on the blue version.
Thank you! I was pleased I found the right buttons, I was in the haberdasher for a good half hour trying to decide!