Dressed for Summer

My outfit ready for lounging in the garden

When my 5 year old neighbour asked me if I could make her an outfit like mine, how could I refuse.

At the beginning of lock down it was really difficult to get hold of any fabric, due to the fact most shops had closed and some online retailers were inundated with requests, orders were taking weeks to arrive.

I had some left over daisy material from a jumpsuit I'd made previously, it wasn't much but it was enough to make a very basic top and shorts set. Perfect for the weather we were due to have in April and lightweight enough to quiet literally throw on to potter in the garden.

I used a trouser pattern I had, and basically shortened them to a length I wanted, which left me with a piece just long enough to make an elasticated strapless top. (You can't go wrong with an elasticated waist, during lock down it expanded with me) It was the perfect garden attire, basically all that was required was a sun lounger and a cocktail.

My neighbours little girl, who I might add is the funniest and most chatty person I've had the pleasure of meeting, who I often talk to over the garden fence, liked my outfit and when I said I'd made it she asked if she could have one. How could I refuse!

I've never altered a pattern for size before, so it did mean her mum had to do some measurements for me.

I gave it my best shot and though it did come up a little small (I should trust my judgement more as I'd forgotten to allow for seams, rooky mistake) it was perfect for a hot summers day. Even with a couple of hair scrunchies for good measure thrown in.

It did get me thinking about learning how to adapt patterns more, as opposed to using a size and hoping it fits. I did treat myself to a dress makers dummy which I can adapt for size, so when I've cut my pattern I pin it first then I can take it in (or let it out) where needed.

So maybe my next skills test should be adapting patterns more to suit what I want (or even what my 5 year old neighbour would like) rather than hoping for the best.

Though I think she pulled it off way better than I ever could!