I know many of you have started your Fall sewing, but I’m still enjoying working through my stash of linen and cotton. It’s just hard for me to switch gears when the weather is still so warm.
Linen is my absolute favorite fabric to wear in the spring and summer, and if it’s soft and a teeny bit worn, I’m in heaven! So, I love to pick up bits of linen (tablecloths, napkins etc) at garage sales, antique stores, anywhere I can find them. I was thrilled at a recent collectible market to find a large embroidered table-cloth that showed no visible damage or stains.
I knew immediately that I wanted to sew a Kobe top by Papercut patterns, a pattern I’ve been interested in making for a while.
I was attracted to the Kobe because of the interesting back. I love the way the pleat falls across the back neck opening.
When I bought the pattern, I dreamed of making it from a sheer fabric but then, I saw this linen. I knew it would be perfect. Actually, now that I’ve made the Kobe, I can imagine a whole host of fabric options for it! Sheer silk, chiffon, rayon challis, sheer lace, anything with flow and movement should work well.
The challenge of course was pattern placement. I wanted the embroidered details to take center stage. Because the Kobe is simple with only a few main pattern pieces, this wasn’t as hard as I expected. I centered the largest part of the embroidered pattern on the front center of the bodice and did the same with the back. The trickiest part was figuring out how to do the hem, as I wanted to utilize the lovely embroidered edge. In the end, I did a muslin version to make sure I understood where the length of the front and back would fall on me. I’m really glad I did this because the Kobe is likely designed for someone who is quite a bit taller than me (5’4”). So I did a mid bodice adjustment of an inch. This really brought it up to a reasonable length.
On the sleeves, I used the same strategy – -I centered the pattern, and used the scalloped edges as a hem. This did make this a fast project – – no hemming needed!
I love my new summer top. Yes, it wrinkles, but hey, linen is worth it. And I’m happy to say, I don’t feel like I’m wearing a old table-cloth when I wear this, LOL. Have you ever made anything from an old table-cloth?
Happy sewing and thanks for stopping by!
What a great way to find softened linen – thanks for that tip! Such an unusual and effective combination of pattern and fabric 🙂
Estate sale linen is cheap too;) Thanks, Su!
I love your Kobe! I just picked this up myself and can’t wait to create it! BTW, great shoes!!!
Thanks, Sue. It’s a fun easy too to see and I can’t wait to see your version!! The shoes were a fun splurge….
Just beautiful, and such a creative way of recycling material. This style also looks great on you. Thank you for sharing
Thank-you Elisa! The style is so easy to wear, especially in soft linen!
I have, which I why I recognized it immediately. Your lovely top, however, is much nicer and has panache, unlike my plain, simple, elastic waist skirt. Like you, I’ve found estate sales, yard sales and the like to have extraordinarily inexpensive linens. Maybe my favorite fabric and I don’t care about the wrinkles, as comfort factor is way more important to me.
So nice to hear from a kindred spirit who loves a good estate sale! I agree completely! Who cares about wrinkles when you get to wear this wonderful fabric!
Clever upcycle! I don’t want to stop hot weather sewing either.
Thanks! It may be August. But I refuse to give up on summer:)
What a great use of that lovely linen. I’m loving the length and back detail on you and yay for no-hem projects!
Thanks, Diane! Yes, the absence of a hem on this project probably saved me a good half hour. I did a happy dance…
This top looks great! Great pattern placement and great use of materials. I was wishing for some white linen earlier this summer when I realized I have two white linen tablecloths that I rarely use. I’ve been thinking about using them, so your post is extra inspiring. By the way, I came over because Helen’s Closet linked to you. I bet you get some pretty great blog traffic today. 🙂
Thank-you Lisa! So nice to have you visit by way of Helen (absolutely love her sweater pattern,btw) I just popped over to your blog and love your makes so I had to follow you! Oh, I can’t wait to see your tablecloth makes, glad I could inspire in some way:)
Thank you for following my blog. ☺️ I know I have looked at yours multiple times, so I started following you via Bloglovin’. I saw your post on Helen’s sweater, so I’ll have to go back and read it since I haven’t tried that pattern, but have heard great things about it. I’m not quite sure what to make with my tablecloths, but I’m tempted by the Closet Case Kalle Shirt (a somewhat cropped version). We’ll see! Thanks for the inspiration!
Oh, you are so welcome! Yes, you have to try the Blackwood cardigan. You will love it! The Kalle Shirt is wonderful too, on my fall to do list, you can never have too many:)
Such a cute look. Love the top
XOXO
https://styleofbonnie.com/
Thank-you!!
I only WISH I could find an old table cloth as nice as your’s! That’s a great pattern with the folds in the back. I can’t figure how you sewed it together!
It is a cool pattern and the back is basically a big pleat! I’m lucky I’m that I love in a city that loves estate sales and garage sales So I have lots to choose from.