Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Oliver+S Class Picnic Blouse and Shorts for Lidia

Next up for Miss Liddy
Something to wear over her swimmers.
The Oliver+S Class Picnic blouse and shorts.
Beach-i-fied.
We weekend at Robe fairly regularly and Lidia is always admiring the floaty, sequinned and lace trimmed beach tops that are sold in the sea side boutiques.
They are so expensive (and often very poorly made)
So, for her first outfit for 2015, she requested something for the beach (or pool).
To start with, I trimmed the front yoke with rows of over lapping cotton lace.
As the cheese cloth fabric I used was so stretchy I applied soft interfacing to the back first to stabilise it.
I then continued to sew the blouse finishing the neck and sewing more lace on to the sleeves.
I hemmed and trimmed the sleeve before sewing the side seams.
After sewing the side seams things were a bit bulky, a few taps with my hammer took care of that!
I also clipped the seams to create some ease before neatening.
After neatening, I pressed the seam to one side and topstitched a wee rectangle at the sleeve end to keep it in place.
For the bottom edge, I hemmed it and then added the lace.
I used taslon to sew the shorts. This way they will be drip dry and be able to be worn as swimmers.
I used some poly piping on the edge of the facings. It actually made them easier to sew.
I also piped the front waistband.
But left the back plain.
I sewed some sequins to the lace but they looked a bit flimsy, then I remembered the mother-of-pearl pailettes my sweet friend Claire picked up for me in Hong Kong.
Much better.
I hand knotted them so if one breaks they won't all fall off.
So, there we have it.
Beachy but elegant.
 Perfect for milkshakes@Robe.
Casual chic child-friendly clothing.
A sweet summery look.
worn with CC Finch shorts.
That still manages to look dressy.
The shorts look a m a z i n g over her swimmers.
Sigh, isn't she lovely?

 Thanks for popping by.

 xx N
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32 comments:

  1. KatyJanuary 6, 2015 at 4:52 AM

    I can't decide which piece I love the most. The swimsuit is amazing, the top suits Lidia so much and you had me at the piping on the shorts.
    Incredible sewing!

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    1. motherof5January 6, 2015 at 6:06 PM

      Thank you Katy.
      I don't have the time to sew lots of clothes anymore, and, really, with school uniforms and washing everyday, they really don't need them.
      I figured I would take my time and try to make each garment as beautiful, comfortable and wearable as possible.
      The piping was a lucky save. I was given it in a box of haberdashery and I nearly tossed it out!
      I have plenty, let me know if you would like to make swim shorts and need some.
      xx N

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  2. SharonJanuary 6, 2015 at 5:56 AM

    Oh my Nicole!! You have really out done yourself with this outfit! I adore every piece! I will be trying to copy the top so thank you very much for all the details on how you sewn it. The shorts are so clever too, perfect for the beach!

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    1. motherof5January 6, 2015 at 6:51 PM

      Sharon, if you have trouble sourcing cotton lace, let me know.
      Thank you, she loves it and is wearing it everyday and requesting it washed out at night!
      xx N

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  3. Inder-ificJanuary 6, 2015 at 12:46 PM

    ^ Agreed! You have gone above and beyond with this outfit! It's hard to know where to begin! The details on that top, especially, just blow me away. And the final results are so wonderfully romantic and soft. I rather want one in my size and I think I would just float around like a gypsy!

    And the shorts look great on an older girl (I don't know why this surprised me!) and the piping! Perfect! As you say, AMAZING with her swimsuit. Just perfect.

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    1. motherof5January 6, 2015 at 6:55 PM

      Aww, thanks Inder. My time just disappears these days, so many things I want to sew.... my sewing eyes are bigger then my tummy I am afraid. I figure if I can make them what they like and it gets worn lots, that is a win, even if they don't get as many new things.
      The shorts turned out so well, I can see these getting repeated often.
      xx N

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  4. CindyJanuary 6, 2015 at 4:57 PM

    What happened to your little girl...she's looking all grown up and elegant just like her big sisters!?! I adore the top, it's very boho chic which is big around here. Gorgeous sewing as always, Nicole.:)

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    1. motherof5January 9, 2015 at 3:44 AM

      My sweet girl is growing into a sweet teenager, sigh.
      Thank you Cindy, I could see your girls wearing these during Summer too.
      xx N

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  5. Kristin at SunnySewing.comJanuary 6, 2015 at 5:59 PM

    A floaty, sequinned and lace trimmed beach top is perfect for those warm summer days :) You've achieved perfection here. I love this serene top. Those shorts are too cute too, especially with the piping.

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    1. motherof5January 9, 2015 at 3:47 AM

      Thank you Kristin, the buttons and pailettes took a surprisingly long time to sew on, perhaps those over priced beach tops were not so over priced after all...
      I hope to make the same shorts for Tilly, in coral taslon. I just have to convince Zara to had her scraps over.
      xx N

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  6. brittneyJanuary 6, 2015 at 8:02 PM

    I love, love, love this! Definitely one of my favorite makes of yours, and I will be complimenting it.

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    1. motherof5January 9, 2015 at 3:48 AM

      Thank you Britters, I love to make my Liddy happy!
      xx N

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  7. Anne in MelbourneJanuary 7, 2015 at 3:18 AM

    Hi Nicole I am not surprised that your daughter wants to wear that lovely top all the time. It is gorgeous! And the shorts! And the swimmers! Wonderful sewing. You are an inspiration.

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    1. motherof5January 9, 2015 at 3:50 AM

      Hallo Anne, thank you so much!
      What a lovely kind comment, you have made my day!
      xx N

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  8. BrendaJanuary 7, 2015 at 7:07 AM

    This entire outfit is breathtaking ! Lucky Liddy, such a lovely little girl in a perfectly lovely outfit. She'll look so feminine and delicate but ready for active fun on holidays.

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    1. motherof5January 9, 2015 at 3:52 AM

      Thank you Brenda. Lidia is such a sweet girl and so very helpful. She organises the most marvellous games for her little sisters and runs errands for her bigger siblings. It made me happy to make an outfit she really wanted.
      xx N

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  9. KirstyJanuary 7, 2015 at 2:19 PM

    Absolutely beautiful - always inspired after reading your sewing posts.

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  10. KarenJanuary 8, 2015 at 6:58 PM

    What a lovely, romantic, feminine top! It suits Liddy beautifully and I can fully understand why she wants to wear it every day. I so admire all you do with/for your very lucky family.

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    1. motherof5January 9, 2015 at 3:54 AM

      Thank you Karen, it is so hard to be a enough of a mum for all of them. I hope they know their clothes are sewn with a lot of love.
      xx N

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  11. rachelJanuary 8, 2015 at 7:06 PM

    This absolutely exquisite! I am seriously in awe!

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  12. Rhythm TyagiJanuary 11, 2015 at 8:34 PM

    Beyond beautiful! So feminine, perfect!

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    1. motherof5January 12, 2015 at 12:33 AM

      Thank you Rhythm, feminine but still childlike was just what I was after.
      xx N

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  13. fabric epiphaniesJanuary 13, 2015 at 10:27 AM

    A stunning top! Your daughter has great taste and you great vision. I would wear that! The shorts are lovely as well. The piping really makes it.

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  14. motherof5January 15, 2015 at 3:30 AM

    Thank you!
    It was a fun sew, and I am so happy my little girl likes it.
    xx N

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  15. Pam @Threading My WayJanuary 16, 2015 at 1:43 AM

    I would totally wear that beautiful blouse. Many moons ago I had a cheesecloth top in a similar style and I loved it.

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  16. motherof5January 23, 2015 at 8:00 PM

    Thank you Pam, I can remember girls wearing cheese cloth. They always seemed so cool and pretty.
    Thank you.
    xx N

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  17. AnonymousFebruary 9, 2015 at 6:19 AM

    Just LOVE what you have done here, and she looks gorgeous. I didn't know that fabric was called cheese cloth, and coming to think of it, my six year old here might also like something like that top.

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  18. motherof5February 10, 2015 at 2:30 AM

    Thank you!
    I think it is known as crinkle cotton too.
    My nearly six year old is very keen for one as well.
    xx N

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  19. RenaeJune 30, 2015 at 6:19 AM

    Hi Nicole. Love what you did with this top! SO young girl appropriate & proudly worn! Honestly, I could comment on page after page after page in this blog! I noticed your comment above re-sourcing cotton lace. Where do you recommend? I'm in Adelaide.
    I'm also keen to pick your brains about wee flowergirl dresses I'm making for my brother's wedding. I have a dress style in mind but wondered if you could point me toward a possible pattern to use. Is there a way I can email you directly?

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  20. motherof5June 30, 2015 at 6:12 PM

    Renae you can reach me at ramsgate @ activ8 . net . au
    (just leave out the spaces)
    xx N

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