I’ve been talking about wanting to make a few spring clothing items, and finally got my chance this weekend.

This pattern is the Shearwater Kaftan by Toni Coward, which I purchased from Randi at Fresh Squeezed Fabrics. I’m always hesitant to purchase patterns, because I don’t think I’ve ever really managed to follow one all the way through. Not the case here — I think this pattern is great! It’s well written, and the shirt comes together pretty quickly and easily.

In my attempt to really do it right this time, I first made one using some bleached muslin I had on hand to check the sizing. Surprisingly enough, I didn’t have to change a thing, and I ended up liking it in the white so I finished it with a little bias binding in Anna Maria Horner’s voile around the neck and along the bottom hem.

I liked it enough that I even wore it to a family gathering this weekend. My uncle said it had a ‘south of the border’ look, which I’m thinking may not have been a compliment. But no matter, I quite like it and I think it will get a lot of use this summer!

I made up the ‘real’ version in this lovely Nani Iro double gauze which I’ve been saving for something special. It also happens to be the same fabric used in the pattern photo. It’s lightweight and airy and I can’t wait to head to the beach wearing it! (and of course I’m planning a third out of some Little Folks fabric!)

Unfortunately I didn’t finish them in time to enter them in Rae‘s Spring Top week, but that’s probably good. Have you seen the entries in the Flickr pool? Amazing! As a judge I got a chance to score a bunch of them, and wow, it was hard! So many fabulous tops! Voting starts today, so head over there each day this week to vote for your favorite!

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Also…

If you haven’t already heard, Kathy at Pink Chalk Fabrics is celebrating 2 years and has a lot of great fabrics on sale for great prices!

Check back tomorrow for the start of a giveaway for some of Laurie Wisbrun’s new Tufted Tweets!

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