StyleArc shirt and Butterick B6296 shorts for Lidia

Lids and Tilly  love  the Butterick pj bottoms as shorts. Really, they are a rather fancy pj bottom with the back yoke, the pockets, the separate waistband and the cuffs so I can see why.

Lidia has a pair I made in a gorgeous tartan fabric that my lovely friend, Ana-Sofia sent me from Portugal. She wears these as shorts all the time and requested another 'outdoor' pair.

The very popular pj/shorts in question!

The fabric she chose is an elegant Italian cotton shirting I purchased from the chetWynd fashion house before it closed down, I made Ben a Birthday Shirt and some rather snazzy pjs for a dear Med Student mentor, Taylor.

It is lovely to sew, very crisp and a lovely hand.

I piped all the seams with white piping and interfaced to cuffs and waistband front for a sleek look.

By smoothing the front waistband most of the gathers of the elastic are at the back for a neater finish.

I had a small piece of the most deliciously silky-but-firm  cotton shirting that was begging to be a Archie shirt

I like the Archie shirt, StyleArc make an elegant pattern but they do assume a degree of sewing knowledge . I sew Lekala regularly so don't really find them a problem. I previously made Zara two linen versions (black and taupe) and I believe she still wears them teaching.

The Archie has a two piece collar, lined back yoke, fold up cuffs and a gorgeous over sized chest pocket.

The shirt is cropped to sit a the waist, too cropped for me but rather fabulous for the young and fit of tummy.

A fresh and cute outfit.

For my gorgeous girl.

I love sewing for Lidia, she happily wears whatever I make.

I am so lucky, it's like sewing for life size Barbie dolls.

When I sew garments I like to put a wee watch of the fabric with some spare buttons in a tiny ziplock bag. I always add a pre-threaded needle (as I was given a box of thousands) so if they lose a button they have thread and needle to hand!

Thank you for reading..xxx Nicole