I really love that moment when you find a fabric and know exactly what you what to make with it. Last year Potter Textiles had a warehouse sale to clear out all their end bolts and bits and bobs they had found lurking in their warehouse. It was an epic day and I went absolutely nuts buying beautiful linens that we ended up using in pattern samples. But I did find keep some things for myself – like this awesome fish print. The second I saw it I fell in love with the print and knew I had to make a Floreat crop top. It’s a really lovely lightweight linen and feels really amazing on our hot summer days. I really couldn’t be happier with how this top turned out. It’s one of those rare times that a garment turns out exactly how you imagined it.
I’m wearing it here with my light wash wide leg Dawn jeans, which is probably my favourite way to wear this top. It’s also been getting a lot of wear with my camel Tencel Flint shorts which I was complaining about last year – so it’s been nice to find something I like wearing them with!
I’d say the most noteworthy thing about this cropped blouse is the stupid amount of time I spent pattern matching the fish print over the centre back seam. Which let’s be honest wasn’t entirely necessary. The difficulty was in the fact that the print repeat is so sparse – it made it really hard to find a spot I could place the pattern pieces in order to get a proper continuation of the fish. And at the end of the day, I’m not sure it made much difference to this top. I do wonder if sometimes I take pattern matching beyond its necessity. I guess I just feel in my gut sometimes that it’s necessary and this is one of those times that I just wouldn’t let it go.
I sewed a little fabric loop to close the back neckline and didn’t pay any attention to the size of the hole. I found myself rummaging in my button jar for something small enough to fit. I had one of these pearly buttons left and I’m so glad because it was a perfect fit! I must admit even though it was a total accident I really love this little detail and how it fits with the rest of the blouse.
I still have a little bit of this gorgeous fabric left so I’m planning on using it for one of the kids!
photography by Bronnie Joel
LOOKING FOR MORE FLOREAT POSTS?
Here’s the full list of Floreat posts and tutorials:
- Pattern tester round-up
- Inspiration + Ideas
- Waist tie and separate belt
- Center back: zipper and slit options
- Pockets and seams (sleeved dress and blouse versions)
- Neckline facing (sleeved versions)
- Sleeves
- Sleeveless version: facing and seams
- Hemming
- Bonus: Knit version
- Inspiration: Floreat as maternity
We absolutely love seeing what you make, so don’t forget to tag your creations with #MNfloreat and @megannielsenpatterns when sharing on social media, and check out what everyone else is up to!
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