Kristina Sewista Vest Celia and Butterick 6296 Shorts for Matilda

Matilda came to me with a request. A cute little denim vest/top that is going viral (evidently)

Image from Pinterest.

The vest in question is made in denim (or chambray) shaped but not overly fitted, copper top stitching and tortoise shell look buttons.

Honestly, I think it looks a bit poorly fitted and sloppy but what would I know!

Tilly has tried a few on in the shops but the problem is, if they fit her in the waist and shoulders they are too tight in the bust.

Sooooo, the challenge was to make a fitted (but not too fitted) denim vest that did up over her bust (but not too firmly) and showed off her waist (but had some loose fabric at the back)

I did point out that I could avoid those fitting issues and have it fit nicely but that was not what was required.

Okay (insert eye roll)
 

When my girls want a very modern garment I usually head to Etsy. Some of the patterns on there are definitely a case of caveat emptor (anyone remember the disastrous Milkmaid dress of 2023)

However, Kristina Sewista , had the goods so I decided to give it a go.

I knew this top was going to take some serious muslin making. I cut the first one according to Tilly's upper bust and waist and it was really good if I unpicked the bust section. I wondered about attempting an FBA however, after eyeballing it I wondered if I just added some depth to the cup whether it would give the ease we wanted.

Here you can see the fullness and height I added to my new side front panel.

I added much less to the front panel, just enough to keep the edge smooth.

I really, really, really wanted to tweak this muslin some more but Tilly was happy with it.

(Are you hearing my inner monologue here...)

I wanted to fiddle with the bust shaping so badly but this 'aint my first rodeo', if a teen is happy, let it be.

Matilda chose some soft denim/chambray rather than a heavier denim as she wanted a top that would be cooler to wear in hot weather. It's from a roll of chambray Jerry purchased for me 15 odd years ago.

Although the viral top didn't have welt pockets, Matilda rather fancied them. I was happy to oblige.

She was so happy and that made me happy.

Tilly asked if I could make her some dress shorts from the Lisette pj pattern. Both Tilly and Lids love those shorts so much.

I used a remnant of linen from my stash and interfaced the cuffs and front of the waistband to make them more sturdy.

The shorts have an elastic waist but by smoothing the fabric out and pressing well you can have most of the gathering to the side and back.

I sewed lots of topstitching and French-seamed the pocket bags for a sleek finish.

If make them again I will use a nude fabric for the pocket bags for an invisible finish.

Brown faux tortoiseshell buttons from a bulk lot I purchased from a tailor in Melbourne.

I finished the sleeves with self binding.

Copper top stitching.

See that natty little back yoke section, at the neckline? Well, that was a whoopsy. When I was cutting the original pattern I traced the lining instead of the main and... you guessed it, I didn't realise until I was fitting it. I nearly tossed it and cut another when Tilly suggested piecing it and I  think it works.

So satisfying to make a garment that a teen wants to wear.

To (nearly) nail the fit (as much as one is allowed)

This why we sew.

To make nice fitting clothes for our loved ones.

Tilly wore it the very next day, on a shopping trip with Lidia.

Thank you for reading ... xx Nicole