McCalls 7351 shortened to a Shirt in Liberty of London Lawn Bamboo Garden

It didn't take me long to break into the new stash of Liberty fabrics.  I think I said I was planning a dress or skirt with this cotton lawn in the print Bamboo Garden Eggshell.  When I started draping it around me, though, I knew it had to be a classic collared shirt.  

I used the recently-released McCalls 7351, which is actually a shirtdress pattern, but I had it on hand so I used the pattern exactly out of the envelope to just below the bust darts, and then I used my waist and hip measurements plus a few inches ease to cut the rest of the shirt.  I made sure to cut it on the big side and fine-tuned the side seam fit at the end.  It worked out great!

I am wearing the blouse with my black Simplicity 1696 pants.  I had previously taking in the outseams on these pants when the textured fabric stretched.  I am considering removing the waistband and making it smaller and lower due to the same fabric issues.  I have to say, though, that since adjusting the outseam, these fit much better and don't bag out through the day.  I just have to make sure to wear a belt to keep them up.

 

For the back yoke facing, I used a plain white cotton to avoid any potential show-through of the pattern on the lightweight lawn.  The back pleat makes this very comfortable to wear.

 To interface the collar, collar stand, and buttonbands, I used white silk organza, a trick I really like for lightweight collared shirts (used before here).  The organza makes the collar behave.

 Do you know the trick for buttonholes on collared shirts?  Make all the buttonholes vertical except the top and the bottom.  Those are horizontal and keep the fronts from shifting up and down .

I have some pretty big scraps of this fabric.  Maybe enough for a little girl garment.  I am seeing niece sewing in my future with all my favorite scraps.

Kwik Sew 4159 in Moda Regent Street cotton lawn

This top is an unexpected gem.  I had sort of low expectations for both the fabric and the pattern, which I will explain, but I am quite pleased with the end result!

I purchased the fabric at a little local quilting shop during a visit to my parents this past January.  The ladies were just unpacking bolts of the Moda Regent Street lawn fabrics and all the pretty florals caught my eye.  There was much hemming and hawing on my part before I settled on a bit of this for some type of summer top or blouse.  After purchasing it, though, I still couldn't visualize the top in my head.  I really didn't want it to be too juvenile looking, and I only had one and a half yards of this narrow fabric.

The pattern is Kwik Sew 4159, which doesn't look like much based on the pattern photo, in my opinion, but I was on the lookout for something to make with my fabric, and I thought the flowy back might be a nice compliment to the soft lawn.  The sleeveless version with notched neckline looked nice, and I decided to give it a go, despite fears of it turning into a shapeless blob.

Here is the result.

 As a simple, cool summer top, I think this fits the bill.  The fabric is opaque enough to wear over a nude-colored bra with no problems, and it is oh so lightweight and cool to wear.

 It is fun and casual with my lavender shorts, but with some white cropped pants or jeans, it will look a bit more sophisticated.

 The swingy back is surprisingly flattering. I did take in the side seams about 1" each, tapering to the regular seam line at the bust dart.  This is basically a muumuu in top-form, so you do want to be sure the shoulders fit well and it isn't tooooo voluminous in the front.

  The notch at the neckline was easy to sew, and it stays put just fine.  I did not interface at all, but I used a slightly heavier-weight cotton for the neckline facing.  I machine-tacked the facing to the top in a few places and don't have any trouble with it flipping out.

 She armholes are finished nicely with purchased bias tape.  Don't mind the sunburned arms.  Too much gardening!

Again, I think this is surprisingly flattering.  It is not too voluminous in the waist area, and the soft lawn fabric is perfect.  So all in all, a serendipitous creation!