I'd always wanted a sewing machine with the embroidery feature and lots of good decorative stitches. I had a lower end, big box model in the past. But it just wasn't advanced enough for my liking and I never gave it more interest than adding a design or so to my linings in coats and jackets. When I got my Baby Lock Aventura II a few weeks ago, I was determined to learn about embroidery from the ground up... starting with the decorative sewing. I did my research because I wanted to use decorative sewing and embroidery in a sophisticated and polished way. I want my garments to look high-end and not like a craft project.

I wanted an easy-to-make summer suit, one that I could wear together or mix the pieces into my wardrobe. I picked Simplicity 8891. The thing about "easy" is that it can possibly mean painfully plain. And that's how I felt about this pattern. It's simple, but it has good details. I knew it needed some zhushing up.

My fabric is this incredible Italian Canary and Moonstruck Double-Faced Stretch Cotton Twill. This fabric is super soft and has a real comfortable amount of give. It feels like a double knit and it has a really good bottom weight. Really good for a body con dress or fitted pants. I pre-treated the fabric in the washer and dryer. It came out pretty wrinkled. But after a good pressing, it was beautiful.

For the jacket, I cut the size 14 and graded out to the 16 at the hip and added 1 inch to the length. I decided to use the decorative stitches instead of basic topstitching.

I picked this diamond looking 7mm satin stitch which I felt would really pop using embroidery thread.

Using the Edit/Stitch switching key and selecting the elongation key to make the pattern shorter and the single/repeat key to indicate that I wanted this to be a continuous stitch and not just a single pattern. I pressed the memory key (the pocket) to save it, so I wouldn't have to go through all of these adjustments each time, because I was going to be using this stitch throughout this project.

I'm really loving the detail that it added to the jacket.

I used the decorative satin stitching to tack down the pleats in the front and the back.

Additionally, I created a belt. I'm not the biggest fan of self tie belts, so I wanted to make a real belt. I interfaced with weft fusible to give it body and carried out the decorative stitching too.

I've seen the eyelet stitch before, but I never thought to actually use it or what it was for. 

The 7mm width is perfect for stabilizing metal eyelet installation.

For the shorts, I cut the size 16 and made a 1.5 inch full butt adjustment. I really like the length that they are straight out of the envelope.

This is how I used the decorative stitching on the shorts.

I really love both of these pieces and I can't wait to work them throughout my wardrobe.

It's no secret that I love blazers! So it shouldn't be a surprise that I'd want a summer suit. One with shorts in particular.

This outfit started with the fabric. I bought this blue and white striped chambray weight cotton fabric last year when Hancock fabrics was going out of business. It was dirt cheap, so I bought like 5 yards. 

I had intentions of making a summer suit. I wavered a bit on what else I could do with the fabric, but it came right back to the suit.

So, I started with a blazer - Simplicity 1421. I'd made it in white 2 years ago.

I was asked on Instagram if this jacket was easy. And my answer is a resounding 'NO'. It seems like I always read or hear other sewing bloggers raving on about how quick, easy and simple something is to sew. 

Well, this isn't one of those sewing projects. This isn't one that you'll finish in an afternoon. This blazer isn't hard in a technical sense. It's unlined and has a bias bound trim. It's extremely tedious and you have to be downright meticulous and take your time when applying it. Or you'll end up with a hot mess!

This jacket is really fitted. But it does have cup sizes which save so much time from having to do a FBA. I cut the size 14 with the C cup. I added an inch to the length of the jacket and also to the sleeves. I cut myself some slack on this version by just serging the seams and only binding the facings. I feel it looks just as neat as a full-blown Hong Kong finish.

I created custom shoulder pads and covered them in my fabric. 

I used metal brass and silver buttons from my stash.

I went slightly smaller on the two front buttons. I used 7/8" instead of 1" buttons. It's so difficult to find matching buttons in multiple sizes without having to order them.

And I made sure the stripes all lined up as much as possible.

My shorts are Simplicity 8389. I made the pants also. 

I cut the size 14 and I added about 2 inches to the length and widened the leg a little. I'm so pleased with how this turned out!