This wasn’t what I originally intended to make for the New-to-Me challenge this week, but then I saw this pattern on the Mercury Handmade blog,

Loved it.

Bought it.

……………..then realized that because of of the width of the pattern pieces, I wasn’t going to be able to use any pieces from my ever-growing stash, and would alas have to go to the store and buy some. Sad times 😉

Anyhow, it gave me a good reason to finally buy the fabric I have been wanting for a couple of months – you know, when you keep going back just to stroke it, but can’t justify it due to not having a project in mind?

PROJECT! I HAVE A PROJECT FOR YOU MY PRETTY!

I’m not sure whether it comes out that well in the pictures, but it is a fairly lightweight knit, made up of stripes of grey, with stripes of white lacy knit in between. I envisioned a nice casual version, with contrast collar and sleeve cuffs in a complementary grey knit.

Because that’s what casual people do. (Thanks JGL for that gem of wisdom)

I cut a straight medium, no modifications. I also did french seams so that it was super pretty inside too, and had a little bit more structure. I stabilized the neckline and front with some clear elastic so that it wouldn’t get stretched out of shape while I was sewing it together, and topstitched the collar and cuffs with white stitching.

Casual.

Or is it slightly on the dressy side of casual?

……………..and because it seems I have a fabric problem, I also bought some brightly coloured woven fabric

..and made this one too.

It makes me feel a bit like I could be Oonaballoona.

Going by the sizing of the previous one, I decided to make the small size this time, as I thought it would be a bit big in the woven, less drapey fabric….. and it still is a little big maybe, but that is kinda the style!

Again, I did french seams on the construction, and topstitched the collars and cuffs. The black fabric I just about had enough of in my stash, and is a black twill cotton.

So what do we think? Am I stylish casual now?