a summer wardrobe, part I

What a great long weekend! It’s been super hot here, so having three days to spend by the lake was just perfect. In between the swimming and relaxing, I attempted a little more sewing on the boat. My brother tells me that all quilting all the time makes me boring, so I put it down for a minute to go waterskiing (typically just once a summer, so I guess I’m done for the year?)

And in between all of that, we had a little photoshoot at the beach. My sister was the willing (though pantless!) model – thanks Whit!

Typically once a year I get inspired to make myself new summer clothes. This year it all started with the Anna Maria Horner Socialite dress and kind of snowballed from there. Now I’m just trying to resist the urge to turn all the fabric I own into summer clothes!

I actually made the Socialite dress last year, though I used a solid just so I could test the fit. I never got around to making another in a fun fabric. Then I happened to see one on Flickr made out of Anna Maria Horner’s Volumes fabric and I absolutely had to make the same thing. (I typically don’t like to make something exactly the same as someone else, but this time I just couldn’t resist.)

My favorite part might be the tiny part of the pattern that you can see on either side of the dress. I spent a little longer than necessary making sure they all lined up exactly (and probably no one will notice except me!)

I’ve mentioned my favorite local fabric shop, right? Well, the trouble is I go there and I end up powerless to resist the new fabrics, specifically the new Nani Iro double gauze. Especially when the shop owner is in there wearing a shirt made out of said fabric. Before I knew it, I had a couple yards in my bag and the name of the pattern so I could make one too!

I’m in love with this fabric, and the shirt pattern as well. So easy and quick! The pattern is Simplicity 3835.

And since that one was so easy, I decided to try another version using a men’s button down shirt. (Turquoise gingham might not have been my first choice, but that’s what was available!)

This one was pretty quick too since I left the button placket intact and used the existing hemmed edge.

And the last shirt for the day… this quick little tank top in voile. It was completely inspired by this one I saw over on Craft jr., though I added to the length and added straps.

And there you have it – a few summer pieces, just in time for 90 degree temperatures!