Busy Lizzy Top: September Showcase

I actually don’t need too much persuasion for sewing/testing a new pattern, so when Ashley and Emily contacted me a couple of months ago with an invitation for the September Showcase (over at Frances Suzanne), it didn’t took me much to say “yes”!

In case you haven’t heard about it (seriously?), the September Showcase features rising indie designers and bloggers that showcase their patterns during this “back to sewing month”, lol (more info here).

For the September Showcase no ‘flipping’ was required – one just needed to sew the selected pattern and provide a review.

I actually choose to sew the Busy Lizzy dress pattern from Melissa at Sew Like My Mom (isn’t it a cute name?) because as you all know by now I have a soft spot for dresses 🙂

Nevertheless and despite the temptation to sew the dress version, I decided to sew the shirt version instead for my daughter (and added a few mods along the way …).

I made this version in the middle of the summer – just a few days before leaving for our summer holidays.

The days were terribly hot (and humid) and my girl kept asking for lighter dresses and tops. While, her wardrobe was pretty much covered in the dresses department, most of her tops were already too short or too tight 😦

I might have flipped this pattern (a bit), but I still wanted to keep the top shape as fluid as possible while preserving the original a-line shape of the pattern.

So actually, I made very few mods to the original pattern: changed the neckline to make it a bit less deep, added honeycomb smock to the front and Liberty ties for the back closure.

Other than that I pretty much followed the original pattern – which is quite detailed and includes clear step-by-step instructions.

My fabric option – a soft checked linen (purchased here) -was immediately approved by my girl.

Linen is a perfect choice for summer clothes (as long as you don’t care about the wrinkling factor, or like me, find it quite adorable, lol).

 

The Busy Lizzy (dress and blouse) pattern includes sizes 12 months to 8 years, and can be easily made by a beginner.

I found the sizing very true to my girl’s measurements (this is a size 6 for my 6 and 1/2 years old girl) with some growing room – just the way I like.

I’ve said it before, but will say it again: Don’t you just love easy summer sewing?

Thank you Ashley and Emily for the invitation and Melissa for the wonderful pattern 🙂

PS: ALL Sew Like My Mom patterns are currently on sale {25% off, discount code: SHOWCASE} through September 20!!

And don’t forget the amazing giveaway going on (I’m sure the prizes are worth the try) ….

Happy sewing!

xo Ana Sofia