Summer Bias-cut Shirt

My friend Summer complimented the wine-colored t-shirt I posted last year, and I was even wearing it under a sweater at the time.  I wanted to experiment more with that style, so I made one for her.  I guessed at her measurements.  Looking at the photo, I should have lengthened it another half an inch or so and maybe a half inch less at the top of the armhole.  But I thought the bias cut turned out well (my first time sewing on the bias), and I'm happy with the slight curve at the hem.

She wore it out to dinner with our group of friends.  With her warm eyes and smile, the simple detail at the neckline works well.

Wine T-shirt

I've had this piece of synthetic fabric (I think it's polyester) for about 6 or 7 years. T-shirts are just about the easiest thing to make, but I also wanted to experiment with creating texture and pattern. I made bias strips out of the same fabric. Down the center of each strip, I machine stitched a piece of fuschia trim I bought for 50cents /yard. The trim stiffened the strips, which made them easier to lay into curves. I sewed them by hand onto the shirt.

Since it was a small piece of fabric, I had a seam running down the back of the shirt, so I covered that with the same stripe.

Now I only have about 5 more pieces of old fabric to use up!

Amber Dress

My friend Amber asked me to make her a summer dress in the style of a Splendid sun dress she had borrowed from our friend Jean. I love Splendid's colorful knitwear by the way, but sadly they are usually designed for taller women than I!

Amber picked the fabric and colors for the dress, and here's the result! She's quite discerning when it comes to apparel and styling. Note how her gray suede heels dress up the dress. She even remarked on the hand-sewn blind hem, so I'm happy she likes the dress. She did a good job selecting a print. It was hard to picture what this would look like in the fabric store. Hmm...maybe I should enlist her opinion more often.