Ellen's Sewing Passion

Since I had more African cotton fabric left I could made another top for my skirt :) The top has pleated front I stitched the front and back panels together. I wanted to use the fabric stripes as sleeve-cap.  I found out that I had to make a split in the sides for the cap-sleeve. I stitched theese small parts on each side of the front- and back panels. Then I turned them to the wrong side, and stitched the cap-sleeve in place. - and the top is finished! I'm very happy with my new top,  and it's great to wear toghether with white pants as well :) I have used buttons at the back. This is how the top looks like together with the skirt. I have used this pattern from BurdaStyle  #130 12/2013 as basic for the top.

My daughter in law gave me this wonderful african cotton fabric, and I wanted to make something nice of it. I decided to make a top and a skirt,  but after all I had enough fabric to make two tops and a skirt :) I will show the other top in another post. The sleeves is pleated at the shoulders, and gathered at the hem. I made a ribbon as a finish for the sleeve hem. The top is pleated in front, and is rather short at the waist. I wanted the pattern of the fabric print to match for the skirt. The skirt is stitched together, I just need to stitch the hem in place. I made pockets in the side-seams. I'm very happy with the outcome :) I made button holes at the back so it's easy to take it on and off. It's not so easy to see, but I have used the stripes on the side panels at the back. Finished outfit! The top is based on BurdaStyle pattern #130 12/2013 - and the skirt patter from BurdaStyle magazine 04/2011

The dress is based on the same BurdaStyle pattern as I used for my  Draping Fluid Dress This project was very challenging, but also very fun! The pattern had to be made at first, so this is on the right side, - and this is on the wrong side. I put the pattern on the cotton fabric. It's definitely the best to use cotton fabric, so the foldings can be shown.   I have to press hard with the fingers so the folding will stay, but I do not recommend to use iron, then it will be to hard. Then you have to stitch one by one together, and one of the seam will be on the side.   I started sewing the folds for the skirt together. The skirt has inserted side pockets. This is all the parts that needs to stitch together. This is the lining with a part of the fabric. - and this is the lining of the front. The top of the dress is loose, and not stitched to the skirt. It's the same at the back, and the slits are open on top of the zipper. This is a closer picture. The pockets are in line wi...