“Every Summer has a story of white linen, great sandals and Straw accessories”

~ Me ~

Hello loves happy HUMP DAYYYYYY! I hope you’re having a fabulous week thus far, sewing and creating all sorts of amazing things. As for me I’m still on vacation getting some much needed rest and enjoying time with my family. I haven’t been able to sew anything new this week but I did manage to sew this cute linen two piece ensemble prior to leaving and I’m loving it if I say so myself. I’ve always been a fan of linen fabrics because of it’s light weight, breathable fibers and design flexibility. It should come as no surprise that several popular retailers have released some of the most beautiful linen pieces for their Spring Summer collections. I’m no different in that I have big linen dreams for my Spring and Summer sewing. The best part about my linen collection is it will be designed and created by me just for me. I don’t have to worry about being one of many wearing the same designer retail pieces, my collection will be all about me and my personal style journey. That being said let’s jump right into this fabulous Linen ensemble I created for my vacation.

Several months ago I was approached by the owner of APC fabrics Brian Masjedia regarding an opportunity to collaborate with him to create garments using his amazing pieces. Of course I went right over to his store on Etsy to check things out and decide if this would be something I was interested in. Needless to say I was pleased with the products displayed and decided that a collaboration would not only be mutually beneficial but a great way to share more textile choices with my sewing family. To start I chose two fabrics one being this must have Optic White 100% Light Weight Linen that I cut into shortly after receiving it and the other a bright orange Rayon Acetate that I plan to jump into when I return. As for this Linen I knew immediately what I was going to create and was pleased that it worked out perfectly. The top was created by cutting two half circles for the actual bodice and two rectangular bands for the sleeves. I decided to add these beautiful light chiffon flowers all around the bodice for an added little touch that I love and believe kicks it up a notch. The pants are cut using a cute pants pattern by Simplicity that I plan to put in heavy rotation this Spring/Summer. While I have a similar design in mind for the orange Rayon fabric this white linen is really doing it for me and I can’t wait to make another in a different color. Well sew loves that’s it for me today I have to get back to vacationing but make sure you head on over to APC Fabrics and get a few yards for yourself.

HUGS

Top: Cut two Half circles (as if you were cutting a circle skirt) using the measurement from your upper chest or breast and add at least half of that (preferably more) to create the gathers all around and to allow you to pull it over your head. For the sleeve Measure around your Bicep and double that measurement plus seam allowance. Cut a rectangle the width of that measurement and at least 8 inches high as you will have to fold it in half to create the sleeve. Create two casings rows on the rectangle and insert the elastic through both casings (your elastic should be at least 1-1.5 inches smaller than your bicep measurement).

Pants: Simplicity Pattern 8841 View D I decided to go with View D because of the way the legs taper at the bottom which worked much better with the added ties. Measure several inches above your ankle, take that measurement, triple it and cut out 8 rectangle strips two inches high. I decided to double the rectangle strips shape the ends and serge all the way around them instead of hiding the seams inside to eliminate the stiffness and bulk of the ties. For the ties I measured 7-8 inches from the bottom hem of the pants and added ties to the inside of the leg so the ties would be on the outer leg.

Fabric Details:

Dimensions: 1 YARD = 36" x 58” (APPROXIMATION)
Material: 100% Linen
Made: Lithuania
Color: White
Light-Weight 4 OZ Handkerchief Per Square Yard Optic White
Light Weight 3.5 OZ Handkerchief Per Square Yard Off-White
Light Weight 3.5 OZ Handkerchief Per Square Yard Ivory
Medium-Weight 6.5 OZ Per Square Yard Optic White
Medium-Weight 6.5 OZ Per Square Yard Off-White