These little silk bias camis have the possibility of becoming so addictive. This is my second one... I'll blog about the other one soon.

This is Just Patterns Kate Bias Top. It's so well-drafted and the sizing is dead on. Whatever your measurement is, pick that size! 

My fabric is Navy Silk Georgette from Mood Fabrics.com. This is a very delicate silk to work with. And I decided to challenge myself by cutting it on the bias. My tip: Spray Starch to keep the fabric from crawling away.

Just Patterns are basically just the pattern itself and an order of construction. That's all you get. They assume that you're experienced enough to figure everything out. You don't get any hand holding if that's what you're looking for. You have to take it and decide you how you need to finish every. Since my fabric is a sheer silk georgette, I self-lined it and used French Seams and narrow hems.

I added an inch to the length to make sure that when I'm not wearing high-waisted pants, the shirt will stay tucked in.

The pants are McCall's 7726, everyone's favorite high-waisted pair. My fabric is Yellow, Navy & White Polyester Twill from Mood Fabrics.com. 

The fabric has a nice medium weight denim feel to it. It sews beautifully. However, I was reminded that it is polyester if you left the iron on the fabric for too long. But other than that, the fabric wears well and when I pre-washed it, it required very little iron. That's always a plus.

I made my normal alterations. A 1.5 inch full seat adjustment and added about 3 inches to the length. Being that the fabric print is composed of uneven stripes, I had not desire to match them. This is a casual piece and they can ride as is. If you want to see how uneven stripes should be matched, you can see what I did here. 

The pattern calls for a self-tie belt. I'm not the biggest fan, so I decided to make my own belt.

I'd made a couple of these belts before and I had a few inquiries about them, so I decided to make a tutorial.

I love a good coordinated outfit. And this one is so perfect for a good play on stripes. I'd had this fabric for around a year. It was a purchase from Fine Fabrics in Atlanta. I'd held on to it because every time I pulled it out, it wasn't quite right for what I had in mind. 

The fabric is a bold, red and white lightweight canvas, denim or twill. The fabric descriptions at Fine Fabrics are extremely vague, so you're never completely sure of compositions. I know this one isn't 100% cotton. It had that synthetic smell while pressing. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, because when I wore it, I wasn't all creased and wrinkled from sitting in the car.

This pattern is Simplicity 8927. I knew going in, I'd need to make pattern alterations.

Here's the FBA I made to the bodice.

I modified the should straps by adding buckles and eyelets.

For the skirt, I cut view C. There's no way that the other view would've been long enough for me, so I went with the midi length.

I needed to make a full seat adjustment.

This is such a cute pattern. I love how the top meets the skirt's waistband. It almost looks like a dress. I think it would look just as nice in a solid color as well. 

When this pattern, McCall's 7752 was released, I knew it looked familiar to me. So, I started looking through images on my phone and then on my Pinterest.

It reminded me of the Caroline Constas Artemis Top. It's not an exact replica, but it's close enough for me to get the point across. So, I decided I would make it in a white solid stretch cotton poplin from my stash.

Being that this is a bustier style top, I knew from sight I would need to make a FBA. I've only sewn a 2-piece bra style bodice once before. So I had to remember how to make the adjustment.

I started with a size 14.

This is what my FBA on my bra pieces looks like.

This alteration made sure I wouldn't have that "smushed boob" look.

For the midriff, I lengthened the front by an inch. For the back midriff piece, I normally need around a half an inch swayback adjustment. So I lengthened the back midriff piece one inch from the side seam, grading to half an inch to the center back.

For the back peplum piece, I made a one inch full butt adjustment. 

Being that a peplum is basically a round skirt, I needed to prevent it from hiking up in the back.

There is boning at the side seams for support. 

Using cotton twill tape, I created hanger loops.

I don't remember if the instructions suggested, but I added an hook and eye.

For the sleeves, I modified them so that they would look more like my inspiration top.

I created the look by shirring instead of inserting elastic.

The shirring provides good stretch!

I really like this top. And I hope I get a chance to make another one, perhaps the next time with shoulder straps. And BTW, my shorts are a khaki pair of McCall's 7726. You can see the first pair here!

You ever see cute pieces online and save them to your Pinterest and then make the decisions that you're going to actually create your own version? Oh... just me? LOL I pin so many things almost daily. But ever so often, there are the ones that just grab my attention. They aren't always the most elaborate, but things that I find that are interesting and wearable.

Take these two garments. These are cute little wardrobe basics, but with trendy little details that make them fresh for the season.

In order to capture to the essence of the Sonia Rykiel top, I decided to use Simplicity 8609, view C.

With this pattern, I was more than halfway to my inspiration garment. All I needed to do was make minor modifications.

My sweater knit is from Joann's. I cut the size 14. The main change is the sleeves. I used the sleeves from view A because of the length. Where the pattern would have you leave a slit, I finished the entire sleeve head and the armholes of the bodice.

And attached the sleeve to the bodice using silver glass beads (from Joanns). I also lengthened the bodice by adding a band. I wanted my top to sit at the top of pants that aren't designed to be high-waist.

And here is a close up my neck line finish. For this project, I used my walking foot. I find that's the easiest way to keep sweater knits from stretching.

The pants are my 3rd version of McCall's 7726 (I made a pair for Mikaela too).  My fabric is this amazing Italian Navy Pin Striped Blended Linen Woven from Mood Fabric.com. This time I made view B.

I cut the same size and made the same exact modifications as I did for my shorts. But, being that these have a slimmer, tapered leg, the fit is completely different.

Here is my pattern alteration: A full-butt adjustment of one inch and I lengthened the crotch on both the back and the front by ½ an inch. And they still felt a little snug through the thighs. If my fabric had been a stretch woven, it wouldn't have made a difference. But since this fabric has no give, I notice every bit of the fit.

They're still comfortable, but I was surprised at how different they are from the other view. Two different pants in one envelope.

Like with the previous pair, I interefaced the facings. I omitted all of the topstitching... you wouldn't be able to see it anyway. I added the belt loops to this pair.

And instead of using the sash, I made a belt with a buckle, like my inspiration pants.

I'm already in love with both of these pieces. Navy is such a dark color, but something about it for these pieces feels so fresh for spring!