🎶 “Oh, this year I’m off to sunny Spain, Y Viva España” 🎶
We’re talking HOLIDAYS – a whole two weeks!!!
My Auntie lives in Spain and we hop on a plane as often as possible to visit her in the beautiful mountainous region of Andalucia.
That time has come around again and not a moment too soon considering the pretty grim weather we’ve endured recently. I mean, The Boots have made a reappearance after having been enthusiastically relegated to the back of the wardrobe for the “Summer” after the glorious Easter we enjoyed.
I know, a tad optimistic, I’ll grant you, but flip-flops make you feel summery, don’t they, and I kind of assume the sun would be duty bound to follow.
Not so. So, Spain, here we come.
(Burglars please take note: we have House Sitters for the duration. And dogs. And a feisty Cockerel. You have been warned.)
Anyhoo….
I took a quick look through my wardrobe and decided that, although I have plenty of summery clothes, I fancied making a few things.
I have acquired several pieces of fabric lately (as you do) and this one in particular caught my eye, glaring garishly back at me from the ever-growing stash.
Not for the faint hearted, I’ll admit, but it’s so “me”.
A medium weight polyester jersey which is incredibly soft to the touch, I imagined it would drape perfectly on a cowl neck.
I chose Simplicity 1716 with view ‘D’ in mind, but with the pleating continuing to the hips as in view ‘F’.
I’m a size 14 in UK stores which equates to a US size 18, so I cut the pattern pieces out accordingly and the fit was spot on without any adjustments.
I didn’t have any black cotton tape for stabilising the shoulder seams so used white but, as the fabric is opaque, it doesn’t show through so all is well.
I like the neat method of attaching the facing to the back neck…..
…and the armholes.
The cowl neckline does indeed drape beautifully, falling into soft folds right down to the hips.
Excuse the scary expressions in the photos that follow – it’s a case of set up the self timer and run!
Hmmm, far too short to wear as a dress – note to self, allow another four inches for the hem if combining two pattern designs.
A quick root through my wardrobe resulted in some coordinating items.
That’s better, but what about the slightly saggy upper arms, after all, I can’t walk around with my hands on my hips all the time, can I?
Sorted!
Although, in Spain it’s currently 40°C so a pair of bikini bottoms is probably going to be the most I’ll wear. (It’s a private villa, otherwise it would be a maxi dress).
Right, onto some tops using that gorgeous Liberty fabric I bought in April:)
May 14, 2015 at 4:33 pm
Oh what a gorgeous summer outfit. Enjoy your holiday in Spain.
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May 14, 2015 at 4:57 pm
Thanks, we always do! I do love a bit of Hot Pink – such a cheery colour:)
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May 14, 2015 at 4:50 pm
Spain sounds wonderful and my oh my you’re going to look fabulous! Love, love, love the fabric you’ve picked to make this wonderful dress (top) – also love the coordinating things you’ve found to complement the gorgeous dress (top). Lots to love! Have a great vacation, Sheila! Marianne xx
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May 14, 2015 at 4:55 pm
Thank you! It’s wonderful staying with family rather than in a hotel and, luckily, they look forward to our visits. I took a photo of mine and my husband’s open wardrobes the other day – you need sunglasses to cope with the clash of bright colours:)
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May 14, 2015 at 5:16 pm
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this! What a fabulous print. And with a bit of a tan you’d more than get away with it as a dress – as long as you didn’t bend down;)
Long live the cowl!
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May 14, 2015 at 5:25 pm
Thanks, it’s a fab fabric, isn’t it? I may have to make more cowl necks, although I’m still not sure if it’s the mad print or the style that hides the boobs so well!
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May 14, 2015 at 5:29 pm
I have another ‘booby’ cowl to blog about shortly. Just on the hem.
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May 14, 2015 at 5:37 pm
What a great top!! Have a fun trip!
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May 14, 2015 at 5:40 pm
Thanks Abigail, we will – Spain is great!
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May 14, 2015 at 5:49 pm
Fab top. Great fabric – they won’t miss you in that. I love hot pink too – but now I think of that, my wardrobe seems to be sadly lacking in hot pink these days. Must work on it. Have a wonderful holiday!
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May 14, 2015 at 5:53 pm
No, definitely not one to choose if you’d rather not be noticed! There’s not a lot of navy, black or beige in my wardrobe really, certainly not my Summer clothes anyway:)
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May 14, 2015 at 5:51 pm
Wow beautiful outfit. I love it with the white leggings, they bring the colour out – even more! Have a fantastic time in Spain! I’m sure you’ll share some beautiful photos on your return to make us all jealous?!
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May 14, 2015 at 5:56 pm
I do love a pair of white leggings/trousers/skirt – it screams “Summer” to me. Don’t worry, there’s no danger of seeing a pic of me in bikini bottoms but I might share some of their home – it really is lovely.
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May 14, 2015 at 7:17 pm
What a fantastic top, it suits you so well! I hope you have a brilliant time and a good rest :-). Xx
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May 14, 2015 at 7:35 pm
Thanks Sharon, I intend on doing little more than eating, drinking and relaxing – in no particular order:)
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May 14, 2015 at 7:40 pm
WOW!! I love the print and the color. You do look a little doe eyed when you use the timer. LOL I would love to make E. Now that would really rock my world. Especially if I could make it into a maxi! I hope you have a wonderful time in Spain. I will have to live vicariously through you on this one. 🙂
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May 14, 2015 at 7:44 pm
Thanks Robin! The self-timer is the bane of my life, me being a Photographer and all that, but alas, I have no option. I almost made the cap sleeves on ‘E’, but decided to risk baring the flabby upper arms for a change:)
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May 14, 2015 at 7:51 pm
Speaking as someone who always has a dopey look on her face when placed in front of a camera I think you do remarkably well – you always look beautiful! I love the top with the leggings – but I’m sure with your sewing prowess if you wanted to lengthen it to wear as a dress you could easily find an extra piece of fabric – pick a matching colour, any colour – even an asymmetrical hem line might be fun for holiday wear…. Have a wonderful time 🙂
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May 14, 2015 at 7:59 pm
Good idea, although my husband (being a typical man) says he prefers it as a dress! It seems the more leg on show the better – regardless of how chunky or old it is! I will wear it as a top or, as you suggest, lengthen it with a contrasting fabric.
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May 14, 2015 at 8:00 pm
Gotta love your husband 🙂
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May 14, 2015 at 8:02 pm
I do, but trust his judgment on the ‘Mutton-dresses-as-lamb’ score, I don’t!
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May 14, 2015 at 8:18 pm
The ‘top’ / ‘mini dress’ looks fab on you! The hot pink really suits you. Made me chuckle when you wrote about running back with the timer, I do that… And i end up choosing the ‘best’ one when, when really it’s the least worst!
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May 14, 2015 at 8:19 pm
PS happy holidays!! 🌞🍹👙
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May 15, 2015 at 7:23 am
I thought about chopping my head off but where’s the fun in that? As you say, the ‘least worst’ ones were good enough:)
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May 14, 2015 at 9:27 pm
Fab fabric! And you are looking good!
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May 15, 2015 at 7:25 am
Why, thank you kindly Claire! More importantly, I feel good in such a happy top and you can’t ask for more than that:)
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May 14, 2015 at 9:45 pm
Wonderful outfit and love the colours in your top/mini dress – if that doesn’t put you in the mood for a fantastic holiday with lots of sun sand and sangria I can’t imagine what would 😉 Have a lovely time!!!!
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May 15, 2015 at 7:30 am
Thanks Caren, we’re looking forward to seeing the sun, especially after this last week of wind and rain. As for the the rest, can we go with ‘sea and sangria’ ‘cos I can’t stand sand!!
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May 15, 2015 at 9:20 pm
LOL! I’m sure Hubby will oblige and carry you to the sea then 😉
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May 14, 2015 at 11:06 pm
Love the colours and design.
Buen viaje, a disfrutar!!
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May 15, 2015 at 7:27 am
Gracias, lo haré:)
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May 15, 2015 at 7:07 am
You look amazing!!!! And what a beautiful garment you made! 😍😍😍
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May 15, 2015 at 7:28 am
Thank you so much, I’m really happy with it – bright colours make my heart sing:)
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May 15, 2015 at 11:25 pm
Your husband’s right, you look fab in this. Lovely colours on you. It’s amazing how different colours can totally alter your mood. Have a great holiday 🙂
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May 16, 2015 at 7:38 am
Thanks Teresa, I’d be afraid to go to one of those colour consultants in case they said my best colours were navy or beige! You look wonderful in dark colours but you have glorious blonde hair whereas mine is naturally almost black (apart from the odd grey now creeping in).
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May 17, 2015 at 4:03 pm
Pah! Who needs colour consultants? I think we pretty much instinctively know which colours work for us and it’s about character as much as colouring, you’re right 🙂
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May 17, 2015 at 2:32 am
How very pretty is your dress/tunic. I love the draping neckline and the colorful print. You did a wonderful job! Wishing you a safe and joyous trip to Spain.
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May 17, 2015 at 5:42 am
Thank you, I like how the draping and busy print disguises a heavy bust. It’s a 4am start for Spain but the flight is only a couple of hours so we’ll be eating breakfast by the pool!
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