A Matchy-Matchy Linen Co-ord

After sharing a more Autumnal make last week, I’m back to Summer sewing again, and this time it’s with a matchy-matchy linen co-ord set. In my mind, I pictured a blue-green drapey linen with wide trousers and a top with a difference. I’ve made the Fibremood Opal trousers before and loved the clean lines of them with the side concealed zip, so I decided on that…but what about the top?

Earlier this year, I created an asymmetrical top that was inspired by a Massimo Dutti one I saw online. I loved how that turned out and had considered making another, so that’s what I decided to make.

I had 2 metres of this blue-green linen/viscose blend fabric that came from Lamazi Fabrics, and let me tell you, cutting out these pieces was like Tetris on a whole other level. I didn’t have enough for the underside of the waistband, and as for cutting the top on the grainline that I was supposed to… well, you can forget that. Lord knows where the grainline is on it, lol! Don’t try this at home, folks! Please try and get the correct grainline (and buy a bit more fabric, hah!)

Part of my cutting-out problem was caused by the fact that I decided to customise the top with some fringed strips of fabric, so of course, they had to fit in between the main pattern pieces and took up more room than I’d envisaged. But I got there in the end and had the tiniest of fabric slivers left.

I bought a fat quarter of printed cotton for lining the waistband and binding the back neck and left armhole. Its colours pick up on the green fabric really well, and it has the cutest owls on 🙂 .

Here’s the waistband and the binding finishes on the top:

Because I’ve sewn both patterns before, construction was a breeze for me. The only really fiddly, faffy bit was fringing the edges of the strips and sewing those lines of ivory stitching. Try as I might, I couldn’t get them perfectly straight, so some stitching lines are perfectly imperfect 😉 Still, I’m really pleased with the overall effect, and they add a personal touch.

You know, it’s interesting how different fabrics affect how a garment sits on a body. My first version of this top was sewn in a more crisp cotton/poly blend, and the fabric holds a more structured shape, especially around the neck and bust. This green linen blend is way softer and drapier, and I ended up taking it in down the sides to get the look I was after.

I’m delighted with how this whole outfit turned out, and I feel sooooo elegant and glam! I just need a big super-yacht to waft about on with a glass of champers in my hand 😉 It’s definitely going to Greece with me soon, as one of my evening outfits.

Well, as I type this, it’s raining outside and I’m wondering if the glorious UK summer has finally faded. At this point, I have no idea what projects I want to sew for Autumn. I think I need to browse my stash to see what inspires me. Hmm…perhaps I should do a planning post…

Are you still doing summer sewing, or has your mind already turned to cool-weather makes? (vice versa for you lovely lot in the Southern hemisphere). Let me know in the comments.

See you soon!