I’ve been tinkering with my late spring/early summer sewing list over the past weekend, and think I’ve come up with a fairly sensible and (hopefully!) doable list of things I need or want to tackle over the next few months. I’m a perpetually creatively-distracted person, so having at least some sense of a goal is the real key for me to get anything done. Otherwise I have a habit of starting fifty different projects and only finishing a few! This project, I have to admit, is one of those sorts that was not on my list, but I had to make!
I’m sure you’ve all seen the new Sorbetto top from Colette Patterns? As soon as this popped up in my feed reader last week, I knew it would be perfect to use with a length of printed lawn that had been languishing in my stash for several years. It was only 1 yard, which is why I hadn’t used it previously. But for a simple, summery top this was perfect! As usual, I tweaked the pattern a bit (I have to admit I am becoming quite “bad” about tweaking patterns! lol.), and instead of the pleat down the entire center front, I changed it to an inverted pleat that was only stitched down for the first 3 1/2”. Which gives the top a bit of a tunic look, and perfect for blousing when I tuck it into skirts (or shorts!). Super quick and easy to make—perfect for a quick project!
So what else do I have on my sewing agenda? Right now I need make some denim shorts, but I also really want to tackle making a tshirt. It sounds like such a simple endeavor*, but something I keep shying away from (despite having a serger, which makes things supposedly easier). But no more! I also want to make a couple dresses, including a late 30s/early 40s style lace day dress using a lace curtain I thrifted a few weeks ago. A skirt or two, a jersey dress from this Vintage Vogue pattern, and possibly a 50s style playsuit. A lot of everyday type pieces that I actually need at the moment—and will hopefully fit right into my existing closet!
For those interested, there are more pictures of the top here!
Have you been working on any quick-and-easy projects?
Next Comments →
Oh I love your top! I really like the way your pattern tweak- it gives it a more casual, breezy look.
Wow – I´m looking foreward for your shorts and tshirt:)
Well, all of my projects are quick-and easy as I am learning the sewing-skills slowely:)
http://www.cardiganpumpkin.blogspot.com
absolutely lovely. I have cut out my pattern pieces, and will be ready to sew it together soon. I love the look of the inverted pleat. Wonderful photo shoot.
Thank you!
I have to attribute the photos to SH–he is my favorite photographer! hehe!
♥ Casey
This looks gorgeous Casey! I’ve got my sorbetto pattern all cut out and ready to go, I’m going to use some cotton voile for the first time ever!
Have fun working with the voile!
It’s one of my favorite cottons to sew with; so light and breezy!
♥ Casey
~ * ♥ * ~
It’s a beautiful top Casey, and I love how it ‘blouses’ when belted; it looks great with your high waisted skirt.
Your sewing list sounds great; I also have a sewing list because I am the same ~ creative~ focus~ly challenged! I love starting projects, but often get distracted…. So a list is a great way to keep me on track and remind me of the things I actually want to do. > u < My list at the moment mostly consists of a variety of circle skirts because I am only just learning how to sew and they will plump out my vintage wardrobe nicely!
xox,
bonita of Depict This!
~ * ♥ * ~
I am so glad I’m not the only one who suffers from creative distractions. (Maybe we should start “Creatively Distracted Anonymous? lol.) Hooray for circle skirts! I’ve been thinking about starting up a sew-along late this summer for circle skirts; I want to sew a couple for the fall and winter (too hot right now to really wear anything with loads of fabric! Even the skirt in these pictures was too much–I shed that thing after and got into a shorter and lighter skirt!
). Lots of ideas floating around my head… 
♥ Casey
Lovely, as always, Casey. I love the whole ensemble, blouse, skirt, belt, and hat. (chuckle) And it’s good to know that I’m not the only one who is great at starting projects but not so great at finishing them because of distraction……..I was considering making a spreadsheet similar to the one you showed on Tilly’s blog.
Whew! It sounds like there are more than a few of us who are creatively distracted! hehe! Now the trick with my spreadsheet is actually sticking to it…
♥ Casey
Just wanted to comment and say how much I love your blog. You always have such interesting articles and lovely style.
Thank you so much, Jen!!!
♥ Casey
Hi Casey
I love the variation on the top, I have to admit that I actually prefer your inverted pleat version to the original design – do you mind if I lift that idea?
Vicki x
Oh please–”steal” away!
♥ Casey
I just finished my own Sorbetto as well! I really love yours with the inverted pleat. So clever!
Love the way you did the inverted pleat on this top. I just finished a t-shirt and you know what? Despite my intiial fear it was easier than I expected – I can’t wait to see what yours looks like.
Such a gorgeous outfit Casey- and I’m loving it with the hat. So sophisticated
Love your Sorbetto with the inverted pleat. I hope you won’t mind if I follow suit and make mine with an inverted pleat too!
OMG! Love that belt!
I love your version of the top! Oh goodness, I might just have to make that up too, though I really really love your inverted pleat here rather and the fact that it doesn’t go all the way down. Gives it more of a blouson type look which generally tends to look much better on me. The fabric is to DIE for! I’m also wanting that belt! Gorgeous!
I also get going on about 50 projects and only finish oh…. about one. I’m really trying to be better about it and hopefully this month I’ll really get cracking on some projects I’ve been meaning to undertake for awhile. I also am looking to tackle a tshirt. Someone just gifted me a huge amount of pretty bird jersey and now I have to make something out of it. I’ve never really sewn with knits and also just recently bought a serger – its time!
i love the big floppy straw hat! i have been wanting to get a floppy hat for soooooo long but the husband thinks there’s no point. obviously he doesn’t understand.
Casey your top is amazing and the fabric is so lovely – you look very summery and fresh.
I love the vintage vogue pattern you have chosen – I hadn’t seen this one as I’ve been trying so so hard not to fantasize about new projects until I have worked my way through my big, long list of projects! Would you consider running a sew along for this dress? Or perhaps give some hints and tips re: sewing with jersey and fit? It would be really helpful. I think lots of us would love a comfy day dress with a vintage vibe and sewing this up in jersey would really fit the bill. Good luck with all the forthcoming projects : )
Amazing hat!! I love this outfit!
From Carys of La Ville Inconnue
Uh, I know, I really need to make some shorts. Like immediately! and yes, I, like you, have so many unfinished projects, most of my fabric baskets are filled with bags of cut out patterns, ready to be sewed! maybe today I’ll finish off a pair of shorts though! you’ve inspired me with that amazing top in the photo! Just lovely.
I do the same thing, starting many projects and finishing one.
Your top is beautiful and love the hat, too.
Lovely top! I just cut a muslin of the vintage Vogue dress pattern you’re planning on making, V8728. I found decreasing the amount of fabric in the bust gather to look better on me, otherwise it went from chic (as in the drawing) to peasant-y (as in St. Pauli Girl … not that there’s anything wrong with that
Looking forward to seeing your version.
You look so cute! The sorbetto looks really cute and I’ve been itching to make one but I don’t think I have anything in my stash that is appropriate. Grrr. I hate picking fabrics. Maybe once I get a bit more stash busting done I can go shopping!
P.S. You mentioned a possible circle skirt sew along in one of your replies. circle skirt sew along = best idea ever! I adore circle skirts and your tutorial has so many design inspirations I’ve been dying to try!
Very cute! I love the inverted pleat!
Everything you create is so lovely, lady, but I’m mesmerized by that HAT! Such glamour!
I need some stash busting ideas. I recently found a fabric stash I didn’t know I had left over from the first time I started trying to sew(about 6 yrs ago). I have no idea what to do with it. I have the sorbetto lined up to try and a couple of skirts but unless I’ve bought fabric with a specific project in mind then I’m usually at a loss about what to do with it.
Your Sorbetto looks fantastic. I love the fabric. I just cut the pattern Sunday and was thinking about doing an inverted pleat. Now I know I will!
that is such a great idea! inverted pleats! and your top turned out great. two thumbs up!!!
Very, very cute fabric.
Where do you find your fabrics? I’m having a hard time finding lightweight cottons for tops.
Great top! I must say, I like the inverted pleat more than the box it comes with.
Casey,
I love your new blouse!! It’s so adorable, and the print is just perfect. Where did you find that fantastic belt?? I love it!
By the way, have you ever made this dress: http://www.colettepatterns.com/shop/macaron?? I’m really thinking of getting it (I have one Colette blouse pattern that I really like), but I know you make a lot of their things, so I thought I’d ask you first!
Have a happy day!
xx Achaia
Casey, if the urge to try making a t-shirt hits, I cannot recommend Cal Patch’s Design-It-Yourself Clothes: Patternmaking Simplified enough! The book is all together stupendous, but I have really got alot of mileage out of my t-shirt block pattern especially. By far, the best fitting (and most flattering) tee I’ve ever owned, and all because I just used my own measurements! Plus, I’m a slow sewist (having a toddler will do that), and I can still manage to crank out a t-shirt in an hour or so!
I bought a vintage 1950s playsuit pattern from Wearing History, so far I’ve made the top which I always seem to do first and then wait months to make the bottom. But it’s a darling little pattern! A sort of criss cross tie crop top and matching skirt (or shorts), I used blue gingham which I was very happy with how it turned out. Playsuits are the best! I’m looking out for other ones I can make this summer! Yay!
Your top is lovely, looks so comfortable and summery. In my sewing group, we call the creative anonymous types, sprinters. Most of us are sprinters. We have grand ideas and start as many as possible, but we doddle along in the finishing. My goal is to be a long distance sewer rather than a sprinter. Slow and steady, reasonable and finished.
I’ve been working on alot of quick projects lately…most of them have been from either fabric I already had in my stash or by refashioning items I’ve had in my closet that needed a new look. It feels so good to have new things that fit me perfectly. Plus my husband has been out of work for almost a year now and yet I still get to add new pieces to my wardrobe by spending little to no money!
Love the new top! The fabric is so beautiful. And the inverted pleat is a fantastic detail.
I love what you did with the pattern! As soon as Sarai released the pattern I started plotting to make it, especially since I have so many random lengths of fabric in my stash that could use being made into something pretty. Now I can’t wait to try to make this variation as well.
Also, please please please do a circle skirt sew along! For some reason they intimidate me with their math and I would love to have your instructions!
Have you heard of http://30daysofcreativity.com/ ? It seems like something you would be interested in. Today is the first day!
I love the blouse and have also been thinking about that same Vintage Vogue pattern.
Quick and easy just doesn’t seem to work for me right now, lol. BUT I am hemming dresses like mad. I’ve come to the conclusion that anything below the knee stumpifies me (which is a bummer b/c I do love all of that lovely fabric in a ’50s dress).
The blouse is lovely and I like the change you made with the pleat!
Really cute! It’s a perfect summer top– it looks light as air! I love that you tweak your patterns– it’s so much fun to see the different spins that sewists put on the same project!
I just downloaded the Sorbetto pattern this week, and I’m excited to get cracking on it! If I like how the original turns out, I may try your inverted pleat version, too. Thanks for the creative inspiration!
I so heart your top, got to get that made in just the right fabric.
It looks fantastic Casey! I completely know what you mean, sometimes you just have to force yourself to sit down and finish the things you need. I like reading about your creative distractions, it’s so good to know I am not alone!
Nothing wrong with making a pattern your own, I say. And the top turned out so cute! I love it with the black, and the belt is perfection!
Oh that top looks so lovely, Casey!
I -should- be working on costumes for Comic Con, but I have to get over this mild cold first. =(
Very nice – I love what you’ve done with the pleat. This top wouldn’t suit me but it looks great on you with that skirt. I’m intrigued by the lace day dress – can’t wait to see it!
Totally stealing the inverted pleat idea. I much prefer inverted I think! Looks grand too.
Schools out in about 7 days and I can concentrate on my “other life” (ha, you know, starting 50 projects and finishing a few. We really are a lot alike!)
The top is wonderful, so perfect for Spring. I would love to be able to sew things like that! Just amazing! Love your blog!!!!
What beautiful fabric for your Sorbetto top! Your “tweeking” is perfect and I love the partially sewn inverted pleat. Thanks for the inspiration and…I simply love your blog!
I love the top you made, the pattern and style are so perfect for summer! You list of things-to-make sounds so lovely, I wish I was that talented! -^_^-
Me too! I printed this out as soon as it appeared on Grosgrain’s free pattern feature. It is the perfect seperate and I have at least 4 fabrics earmarked!
I love your version and the inverted pleat looks great too. I thought pin tucks could work quite nicely too…
Px
I love your take on the Sorbetto top! I’ve been looking for the perfect fabric to make it with – I wonder if you could explain (for those of us who are less talented seamstresses than you!) how you cut the pattern from a yard of fabric, when the instructions call for 1 1/2 yards – and how you had enough leftover to make matching bias tape too! I would love to know because I have some vintage fabric I would like to use, but thought it wouldn’t work because my piece is only a yard long as well.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Next Comments →