Garment sewing: Ruby top

Another of my unblogged finishes was my first Ruby top (pattern by Made by Rae), which I whipped up earlier in the summer.

It's super comfy and has become one of my favorite tops to wear this summer, though I'm not sure it's my most flattering. This cut of top can be difficult on bustier figures, but after checking out lots of versions on Instagram, I thought perhaps I could pull it off.

I think the main problem was not choosing quite the right fabric. The top part is a great cotton from Rain Walk by Anna Graham, but the pin dot chambray (by Robert Kaufman) I chose for the bottom (which I love!) was a bit too heavy for this pattern. It just doesn't lay in the right way, especially from the side, where it looks a bit maternity. I think it would definitely work better in a lighter weight chambray or rayon. That being said, it has improved with several washings (I washed the fabrics before sewing them, but these pics are from before the finished garment was washed.)

The pattern, like all of Rae's, is wonderfully written, and I'm excited to try it again. I think this top will stick with me as we transition to fall and should look great under a cardigan.

Garment sewing: Marigold peplum

You thought I'd left you, right? I know, it's been a long time. Life, my friends, life. But let's try to get back to some of what's been going on behind the scenes. This has been a summer of wardrobe sewing, and it's been so fun to expand my closet (or refine it) with clothes of my own making.

One of my favorites is this Marigold peplum (pattern by Blank Slate Patterns), which I made back in June.

The fabric is an older lawn from Cotton + Steel (Hatbox collection). I adored it from the moment it was released, but it sat in my stash for quite a while before I could commit to cutting into it. When I stumbled onto the Marigold pattern, it seemed like the perfect fit, literally.

And it turned out to be just that. This fabric (my first time working with a lawn) sewed up so beautifully and was a breeze to work with. It's lightweight yet sturdy and oh so soft. This is also a wonderful pattern. It's very clear and smart, and the fit was spot on. I did not make any modifications. It will definitely be on my list to make again, maybe in the dress version next time.