Oh for the wings of a Dove

There have been a couple of new additions to the wardrobe recently.  The first is a winter version of the Emerson crop pants, winter in that they are navy and in a fabric with wool in it for a little bit of warmth.  I got the fabric in Clothspot, it's this midnight blue worsted wool fabric   and it is 100% wool, but enough drape for these trousers.  They are proving to be a great winter staple. I made these first in the summer, here and loved the shape and design of them with the front pleat detail and pockets and an ever-so-comfy half elasticated waistband (that isn't too obvious), so an all round success.  I've been wearing them with a pair of heeled ankle boots, the ankle of the boot just comes roughly to the hem of the trousers.

The other item is the Megannielsen dove blouse.  I loved the pattern as soon as I saw it with it's three sleeve options.  Version 1 has a normal straight elbow length sleeve, version 2 has flared sleeves and version 3 has crazy bell sleeves, very Abba'esque!!

I went for version 2 with the flared sleeve, just enough flare for my liking.  I would say the sleeves are ever so slightly long on me so I would shorten them about an inch if I were to make it again.

In fact, overall I feel the style is quite lengthy, so I would reduce the length of the front and back by about 1-2 inches .  (I am 5'5")  It does have a lovely curved hem front and back with facing pieces, but as my fabric is quite a silky fabric, I chose to do a rolled hem.  It was the first time I'd done rolled hems, so there was lots of practising beforehand, but once I got going it worked out well.

The neckline is a 'V' neck with a lovely neat understitched facing, which finishes it off nicely.  My fabric was a bit 'mad' in that the pattern was all over the place.  There was no way it was ever going to be pattern matched, so I went for the alternating pattern with the white background on one side and the navy background on the other.  Turned out a bit crazy, but I think it suits the design of the blouse. Definitely more of a 'going out' blouse as opposed to an everyday blouse (fabric wise)

I then went on to make a Liberty version which will be a Christmas present for someone.  It sewed up beautifully in the tana lawn fabric.  I went for the elbow length, straight sleeve this time and used the hem interfacing pieces which really does finish it nicely.  It looks really different from the other more silky one, but I still think it looks good too.

The fabric is a geometric circular design with taupe, white, grey and turquoise.

Liberty Tana Lawn Maddock from the Alice in Wonderland Collection (Spring 2015)

 So even thought the sleeves can be quite fancy, this pattern is still quite a good basic, the one with the straight sleeves would be ideal as a work blouse.  It will look very different depending on your fabric I guess, but I recommend it.

A more everyday photo of the Emerson pants with one of my many Liesl & Co maritime tees.