Embroidery. Sequins. Flowers. Gathers.
It was the spring-like weather of a few weeks ago, that's what did it. I will blame it all on the quickening of sun warmed skin, briefly, and the faint smell of jasmine in the air one afternoon.
It's all gone now - a cold snap bringing the thick scarves back against you and coats still firmly in place. And spring seems like a distant possibility as I crank the heating up.
Yet beside me hangs a simple, beautiful top - with a low scooped neckline [altered from the original pattern], gathered sleeves and an A-line body, and I want to wear it now but it's such a lightweight cotton voile it would be too cold and I don't have anything appropriate to wear underneath. The fabric - from Tessuti Fabrics - is just gorgeous, an impulse buy, but so worth it for the light breezy and colourful floral pattern in embroidery and sequins. You would have to be immensely happy wearing this, I am sure you couldn't not smile...The pattern is from this book, and is Pattern B with an altered neckline to scoop down a little more, and a little extra length.
I'm off to Sewjourn next week - and I will be going armed with new fabrics for similar tops...this is the summer of smock tops I'm afraid *
* and the summer of explaining to my daughter why she can't have one too
