Monday, June 09, 2014

Navy for Summer

   



  I don't know about you but for me navy and white just seems like the perfect summertime colors.  It might just be me as  I do have a thing for blues, it is my favorite color.  After participating in Me Made May, I realized I needed more summer clothing.  It is heating up here in Missouri and if you spend anytime in the humidity here, natural fibers do help to combat the heat and humidity.  Mood Fabrics'  Navy and White Stretch Cotton (which is sold out but here is a blue stripe )  is just so perfect for my Grainline Studio Maritime Shorts.  This fabric is a nice lightweight cotton-lycra blend, another plus for summertime.  Note on the houndstooth - I wrote this blog post on Thursday night (it went on MSN Friday) and the houndstooth was available in navy-white and red-white.  Friday morning I checked the links and the fabric was sold out, I knew I should of ordered that red-white houndstooth!



 

    Now for the top, I used Mood Fabrics' Marc Jacobs Ensign Blue Cotton which has the look and weave of linen.  The cotton was just the right weight for a blouse and I used McCall's 6436.    I am just so happy to have summer here and I can enjoy the outdoors, especially after this past winter.  The only downside is a bit of limited sewing time, I am like a kid in the summer.  No, I am not coming in, it is still light outside.  This shirt was a perfect summer sew, I was able to set aside an hour a night for three nights and I had a beautiful summer shirt.    I did lower the bust dart and take 1" off the length.  Now that is saying something about the length of this shirt as I usually add 1".  I left the shirt out for the above picture, just so you could see the details and the fabulous fabric.  Here is more details, check out the epaulets, the loops on the epaulets and nice pleated pockets.



  The Marc Jacobs cotton pressed and sewed beautifully.  I used the fabric for the bias binding for the armhole finishes.  I just am amazed it isn't linen, it has so many similarities.   Now to that houndstooth, my first thought was a skirt but Paige (my oldest) said, "Mom, this fabric needs to be shorts."  She was so right plus that was perfect for my need for summer clothes.  I really do wear shorts quite a bit in the summer and it helps me stay cool and keeps me from being grumpy in the summer!  I had seen so many great versions of the Maritime shorts, I knew I had to try that pattern.   My first change was to lengthen the shorts to my go-to length, which is 6", I am a Nana and that seems more appropriate for me.



    I went down a size after making a muslin and I did have to take in almost 1" in the center back just below the waist.  On this pair of shorts, I did a bit more tweaking in the size.  The cotton-lycra blend has nice stretch and I took in a bit more on the side seams.    I can't wait to make more of these shorts, each pair can be a bit different.  Adding more topstitching, belt loops, different back pockets or embellishements on the pocket, to name a few.  This pattern does have the most unique way to sew the front zipper but it gives great results.  Another thing to point out is this a quick pattern to sew, I made these Wednesday night in about 2-1/2 hours (I did have these shorts cut out).  There is a tutorial for the Maritime Shorts available at Grainline Studio.


 I could not ask for better fabrics for summertime in Missouri, Mood Fabrics' has great selection of cotton-lycras and linens for natural fibers to beat the heat. I plan on sewing, enjoying the outdoors and hanging by the pool this summer (of course, work, too).




 What are your summer plans?




      Whatever your summer plans and summer sewing plans, I hope you have a very fun summer.





24 comments:

  1. Lori. You give all Nana's a run for their money. This is a great summer outfit. Smashing really.

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    1. OH, thanks so much,Maria. I really love this outfit.

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  2. Great looking summer shorts and top!!!

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  3. I love this outfit, fantastic! those shorts look great on you.

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    1. Thank you, Beth, I like the shorts pattern but made a few changes to the pattern as I made them a second time. I will post on this in a future post.

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  4. What a lovely outfit! You look stunning. I sure do hope I'll be able to get a lot of sewing done this summer.

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    1. Thank you, this is certainly a feel good outfit. Good luck on your sewing.

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  5. Anonymous12:23 PM

    This is such a great outfit! It's so professional! I love it!

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    1. Thanks so much, this might be an all time favorite. But I kinda say that after every new make!

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  6. Love this outfit! Blue is your color :) You look very classy!! I need to get the shorts pattern. I have not made pants or shorts, so I feel a little hesitant.
    Thank you so much for commenting on my blog!! It is hard to believe Emily will be home this Friday. I can't wait to give her a hug.

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    1. Thank you, Dharma, I have always loved blue. I have been thinking of you and your time with Emily. I bet is is amazing.

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  7. Lori, we love this top on you! Can we share it on our social media? Email us (Meg) at Facebook@mccallpattern.com and let us know if that's ok with you.

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    1. Thanks so much for the feature on Facebook, I appreciate it.

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  8. Great summer outfit! Looks great on you.

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  9. Perfect summer outfit! You did a great job and look wonderful!

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    1. Thanks, Donna, it is a great outfit for our humidity.

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  10. Lovely outfit. I love those colours, and I really am loving shorts right now myself. To be honest, I hadn't owned a pair for several years, and in the last 6mths I've now made three pairs, two of which I wear nearly every day!

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    1. Way to go on the shorts, Debbie. Thanks so much, I love these pair of shorts.

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  11. Now this is just too cute! Navy is the best. I love the details of your top and of course the shorts fabric is one of my all time faves! These pictures are gorgeous...and THAT POOL!!!!

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    1. Thank you so much, Terri, navy is the best. I wish I had bought the red/white houndstooth before it sold out. I love the pool, we have had it for 6 years and it has just been the best.

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  12. That is one of my favorite colors! I had not even considered this top, but you have a way of making great tops which keeps adding patterns to my list. I'm working on my first pair of maritime shorts on my cutting table. Love the fabric you paired with this pattern. Just more fuel for the fire!

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    1. I just kept going back to this pattern and I am so happy I made it, love the top. Have fun making your Maritime shorts.

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