Haute Summer Sewing – July 2017

Prints are a fun addition to your wardrobe especially when you combine two together.  Thanks Eileen for sharing how you are working prints together and apart!

You can follow Eileen on Instagram @johnson.eileen 

This haute summer sewing completed in July 2017 was inspired by the picture in the May 2017 Burda style magazine (page 18) of a beautiful combination of prints for a blouse and skirt. 

I broke out of my usual solids approach to life and found two complementary prints at Sew Much Fabric.  A floral silk charmeuse and a printed cotton ikat (Both Sold Out).  The floral silk charmeuse is vibrant and either side can be used.  I chose to use the matte side out.  Wearing the blouse feels wonderful with the smooth side next to your skin.  The fabric can be hand washed in cool water and a mild soap.   Air dry and use a silk setting to press.

Burda Style 5/2014/137 is a plus size pattern of a similar blouse in the May 2017 magazine.  Imagine that.  Who knows Burda may have been inspired by the plus size to scale it down to size three years later?  The blouse has darts, bias binding neck edge and ties and a flounce on the front.  I got to practice my narrow machine hem on the flounces and French seams for the construction.  The pattern includes pockets; however, I shortened the blouse and did not include the pockets.

The pencil skirt was made using Susan Khalje’s skirt pattern.  The cotton ikat print was pretreated by washing in warm water and drying in the dryer.  It presses very well.  The skirt was constructed with a cotton batiste underling, handpicked zipper and china silk lining.  The waistband is a grosgrain ribbon.  As you can see the blouse and skirt can be work together or combined with other solids in your summer wardrobe for a complete resort casual ensemble!