Summer Sewing Plans And Refashions

I thought for this blog I’d make it a chatty post about new fabrics, some Summer sewing plans and refashions. I’ll also throw in some inspiration, too. So let’s get started, shall we?

First of all, the refashions:

I made a Style Arc Indigo skirt in cream textured cotton fabric, a couple of years ago, and over time I came to realise that I had hardly worn it apart from a couple of times on holiday. When I got the skirt out at the beginning of the Summer and tried it on to analyse why I hadn’t been reaching for it, it turned out to be the way that it felt kind of clunky in how the side slits moved when I walked or sat down. I think it was due to the stiffness of the fabric, which tends to hold its shape, doesn’t crease, and has quite a bouncy texture.

I decided to shorten the skirt considerably, removing the slits completely. And I couldn’t be happier with it now. In fact, I wore it a lot recently when I was on a short holiday on the coast of Wales. The weather was amazing, and my skirt was perfect worn with casual sandals and a breezy sun top.

Here are the before and after photos:

The second refashion I did was to a top that’s actually part of a co-ord set. Some time back, I made the Fibremood Quilla top and the Fibremood Opal pants in a pink lightweight viscose/linen blend. When I wore the set during my Greek holiday last year, I remember wishing the neckline was a bit lower, as it felt like it was gagging me across my throat, and it was very hot, so the extra fabric didn’t help to cool me down either.

I’m happy to report that it turned out to be a lot easier than I thought to change the neckline. Firstly, I tried on the top and worked out how low to go with the new neckline shape. I had to be mindful of how deep the facing was on the inside and be sure to leave enough of it. And after trying the top on, I decided to make the shoulders narrower and lower the back neck as well, effectively opening up the overall shape of the neckline. I marked the new neckline shape around the back and front, and then I simply cut the shape out, leaving a seam allowance of about 1cm on the facing and main fabric.

The linen fabric was really pliable, and it was so easy to just fold in the edges along my new line on both the main fabric and facing, then steam press it all flat. I basted the two edges together and simply topstitched along the edge. Easy, peasy! I wore the newly altered top with cream jeans to my monthly sewing social two days later, and I got several compliments on it. It was so comfy too. I’m really glad I put the effort into changing it.

And here are before and after photos of the Quilla:

Next, I thought I’d share some ideas for new projects and the fabrics that I might use for them. I had one or two new summery fabrics for my birthday back in May, and some are from my existing stash.

As you know, I live in the UK and up to now our Summer weather has always been mixed and often disappointingly cool, or rainy, or both. Well, last year turned out to be pretty hot, and this year is shaping up to be even more of a scorcher. We’ve already had a couple of heatwaves, with another due any day now. This all means that I’m getting lots of wear from my hot-weather clothes, so I think I can feel justified in making a few more 🙂

At first, I was thinking along the lines of dresses, but I know I’m a die-hard separates gal at heart. So I’m leaning towards the idea of co-ords instead, then I can wear them together or separately with other wardrobe items.

The first fabric I have is this linen and viscose blend from Croftmill. It’s a neutral coffee and cream tone tie-dye effect, and I think it’ll make a great everyday outfit.

I plan to make a top and a simple wrap skirt that ends above my knees. I’ve seen these two tops on Pinterest, and I may end up creating a mash-up of the two styles. If I decide to do the yoke idea from the orange top, I might make a couple of pleats instead of gathers because of the thickness of the fabric. I’ll probably make the pattern myself using my own self-drafted pattern block. The exact skirt shape that I’ll sew is undecided at the moment.

Next, I have some double gauze, also from Croftmill.

For this fabric, I want to make a top and a longer-length skirt. This top design from Hush caught my eye on Pinterest. I *think* I can work out how it’s made, so I should be able to replicate it. I also think it would work well in the double gauze because it’s quite a lightweight fabric and would hold that drape well. If I don’t make that style another option is the Fibremood Uzma because I love a square neck too.

For the skirt to go with the gauze top, I’ll do something straight and narrow with a slit in the centre or at one side.

Another fabric in my stash is this one (see below). I wanted to try a skirt design by a brand called Hepersew. I may end up changing my mind and go with a different design, but that’s what I’m currently thinking. I rather like that asymmetrical pleat effect. Although… maybe that pleat needs a plain fabric for it to show up? Hmmm, perhaps it does. I could always do the Fibremood Ezra skirt instead. I’ve sewn it twice before, and it would suit the print. Decisions, decisions… I’m not one for full skirts, so I do prefer a fairly streamlined silhouette. Let me know if you have any ideas in the comments

I have a few other fabrics in my stash that are waiting to be sewn up, but I didn’t want to get ahead of myself and make too many plans because who knows what unexpected things could crop up and wreck the schedule. I prefer to be flexible. I rarely think too far ahead, though I usually have a bit of an idea what I want to make with each fabric in my stash, which isn’t overly large and quite manageable.

In the meantime, I have three new makes to photograph and tell you about, so I’ll be sharing those on the blog soon while I also make a start on my linen tie-dye co-ord. Better get sewing before the temperature makes it too hot in my sewing room, eh?

How’s your Summer sewing going? Let’s chat in the comments.

See you soon!