I've been struggling to get my motivation back since returning from a lovely vacation...last month. But I've fallen in love with the idea of sewing free patterns this summer: patterns that can be found around the interwebs and even some new ones floating around in my head. Let's kick this off with the ubiquitous Izzy Top by Climbing the Willow.
A popular pattern, I had yet to sew up an Izzy Top. The silhouette is the biggest draw for me -- the curved seam where the bodice meets the bell-shaped skirt is darling. It's one I pinned long ago and just never got around to.
I pulled out one of my old, beloved story books for the photo shoot because I liked how the pink in the fabric and the red cover of the book both have a touch of coral. The coral-y pink of the bodice fabric is also picked up in the dots on the navy skirt-portion of the tunic.
But then I noticed the classic bell-shaped dress in the illustrations matched the bell shape of the Izzy. How perfect!
But then I noticed the classic bell-shaped dress in the illustrations matched the bell shape of the Izzy. How perfect!
I bought a pearly white button for the back closure. But then decided it was too small. So I pulled out a random off-white fabric-covered button from my stash. But then I sewed the button-hole too small. So I pulled out a smaller than the fabric button, larger than the original, pearly button, and called it done before the whole thing became a UFO (un-finished object) over a simple little button!
I almost got stuck on what to pair the Izzy with. Leggings seamed appropriate. Legging shorts even better for Summer. But I sewed a whole bunch of those recently and somehow still didn't have a good match. I had trouble finding the right color knit -- I still think this might be a tad too bright. This pair of legging shorts is not meant to hide under a skirt, so I added a tulip-cuff for a finished look.
Pattern
Tunic: Izzy Top by Climbing the Willow, Size 3 wide by 5 long
Leggings: Go To Leggins by Go To Patterns, Size 5 with modified cuff.Fabric
Tunic: Emma & Mila Sartori in Pink/Navy, 100% cotton; Emma & Milla Nou Knit in Navy, 100% cotton -- both from Walmart
Leggings: Upcycled tee, WalmartNotes
I'm starting to doubt my ability to measure my daughter. Her width clearly measures to me as a Size 3 or smaller (in a lot of patterns) and yet, I think I should probably be working in a size 4 or larger. She's definitely a size 5/6 or more long. In ready-to-wear I'd probably buy a size 5 and find it too wide and too short. You think I could fix this while sewing but I somehow keep missing the mark. Any suggestions?Love
It was nice to finally get something through the machines, even nicer to sew such a darling, classic silhouette. And it was free!
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| There's that high-waisted bell silhouette in the book. Makes me want to sew another Izzy in a plaid to match! |
Ren Murphy writes for The Inspired Wren.
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