My Summer Wardrobe #1

I have finally completed two projects I’d love to share today!

Project 1 is a caftan based off of Simplicity 8354. This was really easy to make and turned out so great. I want to make more (with this pattern and a few others in my stash), especially since in NYC during the summer, the trains spew cold air. This is light, cozy, and will be easy to wear with a unitard underneath as an outfit or to wear as a train cover up with whatever underneath.

I made it with a very soft cotton jersey fabric I was given by a kind lady from Craigslist. There wasn’t enough fabric to make the stripes match but I don’t mind, I still really like it that way. I did contrast bright pink stitching around the armholes, bottom hem, and the front V. You cannot see in the photos but I also added a small strip of pink rick rack just along the back neck. I didn’t use a zipper like the caftan’s on the envelope (I like it open and slouchy) but I would eventually like to add some pink button and loop closures if I ever feel like it. I decided to go for the “short” version even though I’m 5’7″ and I’m glad I didn’t pick a longer size…the length is perfect! I’m not excellent at sewing with jersey, this is my first complete project doing so, but the little mishaps are very hard to spot since there is so much fabric! The bodysuit I’m wearing under it is here.

I have had the fabric to make this top for over 2 years now. I got it off eBay but only a yard. Somehow after this and using the fabric for a different project, I have enough left to make something else! The pattern I made is based off the American Apparel Eyelet Tank. I got one last year in yellow and cropped at the warehouse sale and needed to make my ‘own’. I added bust darts and did top stitching on the entire thing. I eventually will redo the bottom as an invisible hem.

The breeze was blowing in this photo! I’ve paired the top with American Apparel’s Micro-Poly High Waist Pleated Pant. In case you can’t tell or didn’t already know, I worked for American Apparel for over a year and still love their clothes (despite the fact I can no longer afford them, lol) and how great they pair with vintage and my handmade items 🙂

Anyways, this will be a great top to just wear around or maybe, just maybe, I’ll wear it to the Ariel Pink concert next month!