With all the hand sewing I did last year I started having problems with my thumb. Sewing was hurting quite badly so I decided to take a break and use a splint for a few weeks to give my thumb a good rest. I’m now almost three weeks into my rest period and I miss sewing so badly. For the first time in years I’ve actually felt bored a couple of times. The nice side effect is that I’ve already read three books and am about to finish the fourth one.
Having said all that I felt a very strong urge to sew, so I decided to have a go at garment sewing again. Last year I bought the Joni pattern from Leanne’s Etsy shop TheLittleHouseMartin. I’d been meaning to sew up a muslin ages ago but with all the quilting I was doing I didn’t. Last week I got out a big piece of Ikea fabric and started cutting. I compared all the measurements and realised I could do with a size 10 at the top but would need a 14 at the bottom (being pear shaped is no fun). I added 4 cm to the size 10 back and front piece and decided to sew a fold rather than a gather.
The front and back are exactly the same which is quite nice as you can wear both sides as the front. This one is very light with lots of white, the other side has more flowers and leaves on it and is very colourful. As I never wear a sleeveless top without a cardigan it means I have two different looks in one.
The neck line is very flattering, I think, and I’m looking forward to making another couple of tops for spring. I might just add 1 cm to the top to give me a little more room although I love this one so much I’ve worn it, washed it and put it on straightaway again.
The pattern gives you the option of making a top or dress and I think I may just make a dress for summer when Little Miss Bossy-Boots and I like to go to the swimming pool and I need something I can slip on and off easily. I have a lovely red and white polkadot fabric lying around which would be perfect.
It looks great! I need to get down to some clothes sewing too…..far too much fabric lying around here!
Looks really good! I’d rather be pear shaped than my shape, big on top. My theory is that when people photograph you they capture your top half, which is where I carry my weight. No wants to photograph my legs! Also tops like the one you’ve made can be quite unflattering and make me look like a tank.