First let me remind you that a chambray dress from Gap inspired me to get a little sewing-machine-happy. You can see it again here coupled with a seemingly unrelated cardigan refashion.
But that dress really was the instigator, and it was only a matter of time until I cut into the 2 1/2 yards of chambray bought at the height of my inspiration.
Thus, I present to you the chambray tunic/dress/shirt… You decide! What does this garment need?
The hem is still unfinished, and I really need some female sartorial feedback on this one. (Evan’s pretty sure that I keep making the same shirt.)
This top is from the Built By Wendy Simplicity pattern 3964. Which actually features a pentagon as part of the yoke. I redesigned the front yoke and cut a new pattern piece for it out of muslin. So I can make this again if I want to! :)
I also put binding on the sleeves instead of elastic. For some reason, I feel kinda over elastic. At least for now.
I’m probably going to make a belt to go with it - the simple tie belt from the pattern.
Hope you all have a great weekend!
April 3rd, 2009 at 7:32 pm
I totally love it as is… though I do think it would look awesome with a wide red belt, but I do love red. That pattern is taunting me from my to-do pile. I love this fabric, is it comfy?
April 3rd, 2009 at 9:10 pm
I think I would do a narrowish belt of matching material tied in a little knot off-center in the front. Or maybe a black belt of contrasting texture. Hmmm…it’s a hard decision. The straight yoke is a gigantic improvement over the pentagon thingy in the original pattern!
April 3rd, 2009 at 9:13 pm
Ohhh, I just had another idea. It might look a little peasant-y, but I think it would fit with the dress. You know the ribbon that has pretty patterns woven into it (for example, I have some ecru ribbon with little baskets of autumn colored flowers woven into it)? I think that a belt of ribbon like that in colors that coordinate or accent the dress would be cute.
April 4th, 2009 at 4:47 am
I think a really long chunky necklace and an oversized bangle is all it needs.
J xx
PS just rereading Christina’s peasanty idea above, how about how about a couple of lenths of wide ribbon in contrasting colour sewn around the hem…?
April 4th, 2009 at 11:14 am
I REALLY love this one. My favorite part is the puff sleeves. Overall, I love it all. In the first picture I would say, add nothing. But then in the second picture, I noticed that it is looser and more gathered looking than in the first picture. So I would say, maybe add a fun chunky belt? But if you’re not a belt person, it’s PERFECTLY fine and cute as it is!
April 4th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
I love it as is and I must get that pattern. I’m a bit over elastic as well, so I love the binding on the sleeves!
April 5th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
Leggings maybe?? But…it’s really cute just like it is..
April 5th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
No specific suggestions…just seems to be asking for some bit of contrast whether in a belt or some jewelry. Of course, your red hair, absent from the picture, provides natural contrast, so perhaps that is enough.
April 5th, 2009 at 11:19 pm
I vote the chunky belt. An off centered tie would be cute, but maybe not visually heavy enough.
I presonally like that camel sort of brown with the jeans-blue of the top, and I would pair it with leggings and boots that match the belt. Of course, black is classic and would look great, too! Then finish it off with a few big bangles and chunky earrings.
Such a cute top! And never mind about what Evan thinks- when you find a style that *works*, you run with it! Boys jut don’t know anything! He he!
April 6th, 2009 at 7:13 am
super super cute!!
April 6th, 2009 at 9:06 am
I love it, first of all. Could you maybe put some darts in the mid-section area, to taper in near the waist so it doesn’t look so loose?
Of course, that’s easy for me to say. I just sewed my first purse, so I have NO idea how you’d put darts in this top! But either way, it’s super cute.
April 6th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
i love all of the clothes you have been making for yourself. beautiful!
April 6th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
I love it…and I was going to suggest a belt too. I am actually making a somewhat similar dress myself (or should I say *attempting* to) right now and I keep envisioning it with a cute belt.