We’re big believers in summer dresses at our house, but we know that every little girl needs pretty, relaxed shorts and tops in her summer wardrobe as well.
When I was working on this new sewing pattern I was thinking about the long, drowsy summer afternoons we spend watching the children chase each other through the sprinklers in the shady part of our neighborhood park. And dinners on the back patio at my sister’s house. And, of course, the annual class picnic, when games are played and everyone celebrates the last week of school. Winter must be nearly over, because I can almost feel the sun on my skin as I write this!
This blouse is my version of a classic peasant shirt. I cleaned up the style a bit, making it less voluminous through the body (all that fabric can swallow a child whole) and less cluttered through the neckline with a simple flat yoke at the front and back. The elastic in the shoulders at the raglan sleeves give it a flattering neckline that still allow it to be pulled on and off easily and provide a good fit. No slipping off the shoulders with this style.
The wide hems at the bottom and at the three-quarter-length sleeves will look especially nice with a lightweight or semi-sheer fabric (I had our lightweight Moda fabrics and Liberty of London lawn in mind here) because they give the hems a little more visual weight and substance. (The other nice thing about wide hems is that they can be let down to get a little extra wear out of the clothing as the child grows.) And lightweight cotton fabrics would be so cool and comfortable in the summer heat.
The shorts are easy to sew and to wear. They have elastic in the back waist so they can be pulled on and off easily, which is important when you’re in the middle of swimsuit weather, right? The details include a faux fly and a wide waistband with contrast fabric at the inside front waistband, just for fun.
The styling is almost a wrap look, and the interesting detail of the facing applied to the outside edge gives you lots of opportunity to show off the curved detail with a contrast or complimentary fabric. You could add a few buttons to the facing near the side seam for a little extra interest, too. I’ll have to show you what I mean sometime soon when I’ve had a chance to sew a few more pairs for S using some of the fabrics I’ve been setting aside for her summer clothing.
What a great pattern!
I can see me making lots of these. I love the look of both and the elastic makes them really practical.
I like the elastic and pullover style of the top. It looks pretty and practical, mybfavorite combination. I’m not sold on the shorts yeet but maybe after I see a few more samples they’ll grow on me.
I cannot wait for the new patterns to become available. Never mind that I still haven’t sewn what I intended from last season…..
So, I’m thinking those shorts would be awfully cute as board shorts. For whatever reason I’m picturing them with a cute rash guard and a bucket hat(from Little Things to Sew of course). Maybe I just need to get out of the cold and head to the beach!?!
Off to research quick drying fabric!!!
These patterns look perfect and I can’t wait for them to arrive in stores. Please tell us what “scissor-level” these are as you post them! Thanks!
I love that the top has a flat front and back unlike other peasant tops. And what CUTE shorts. These look fun to sew!
I normally don’t do comments but… Those are the cutest shorts!!!
This pattern looks great. I’ve been wanting a shirt pattern with no buttons. I think it would be great with the puppet show shorts.