2009 #2 Summer casual wardrobe

It is done! Three dresses and two sleeveless tops - my summer wardrobe is pretty much complete.



The dresses are all from my TNT pattern, all three made up exactly the same. I would like to play with the neckline but this month was not the time for it - I needed dresses to wear right now. I am happy with all three, have worn the white and the print already. The blue dress was just born this afternoon. They are all unlined and I wear them with a half-slip. In the interest of speedy sewing, I faced the necklines but used a bias strip to finish the armholes. It looks nice, though it won't work in every situation - the topstitching is not invisible.

The two tops are from New Look 6895, much adjusted in the back. First I took out 1" at CB neck, tapering to nothing at the hem, then adjusted for an erect posture. I added a lining in a lightweight solid white poly crepe, sewed a wide band of the shell fabric to the hem of the lining, and hemmed the top 1.5" shorter to get the look of a double hem. I got the idea from an Ann Taylor top I love. The necklines are bias-bound and wide enough to go over my head without a closure. I changed the gathering in the front to a series of pleats because I liked it better. The tops are flowy, which makes them comfortable even in Florida's humid heat, despite the fact that they are polyester. I wear these tops with white shorts but they look great with blue jeans and a cardigan as well.

This was my first time sewing with polyester. I'd avoided it all these years thinking it was hot and uncomfortable and difficult to sew. Then I bought the Ann Taylor top and fell in love with it. It's made of polyester and I thought if AT can use it, so can I. As it turns out, it's easy to cut and sew, and the right pattern can provide comfort even in hot weather. *Disclaimer: I keep the thermostat set on 77-80F so my idea of "hot" and yours may differ (I freeze below 75F).