Today’s handmade outfit was unabashedly inspired by this photo from Charlie. After seeing it on Instagram, I just couldn’t get it out of my head. I wanted to wear that outfit everyday and my wardrobe did not supply the garments. So with some fabric, thread and a little bit of sweat, I now have my very own camisole + wide legged pant outfit.
Anyone who's been sewing for a little while (or a long while) will undoubtably have a bag of scraps lying around. I've had dozens of bags, boxes and bins full of scraps over the years. They are frustratingly challenging to use and difficult to part with. They are useful but for what purpose often remains a mystery. Turning scraps into an improvisational quilt has become one of the most emotionally satisfying ways that I have found to use those pesky scraps. My process for assembling the quilt top is really fun and freeing in a way that using a pattern is not. And when it's all done, I have used up some fabric that otherwise would have been in the bin and have a really cool quilt that I can actually use.
Today I have a great summer basic to share with you, a tank top sewn up in a super soft ikat print cotton. I finished this one up a few weeks ago so you might have seen it over on Instagram. The pattern is the Ella Top by Liola Designs. I made this pattern once before, back in 2015, and have been meaning to make it again. I love that it's an easy to wear tank shape but has a back yoke and center back pleat.
