I always love to sew things that fill a need in my wardrobe, and this is my loungey/slouchy/comfy Jarrah – for those days when I’m just hanging out doing absolutely nothing. It’s funny thinking you might need to sew something for staying home and not going anywhere. So often I feel like I want to sew really interesting statement pieces, that are fun to show friends. But I think it makes sense to sew where the gaps are. And surprisingly – I had a lounging gap ;) I’m sure I’m not alone in this, but I really love to wear Chris’ sweaters around the house when it’s cold or I feel sick. I don’t know if it’s the size, or the fabric – but I they’re awesome. I realised I really needed my own lazying at home attire. Something mine, with the same comforting feeling.

This is the Jarrah sweater I made to fill that gap! I lengthened the pattern by 10cm for that extra slouchy look and I’m really happy with that choice, it gives it a very relaxed vibe. The fabric is a super soft ponte knit that I had in stash and since I didn’t have matching ribbing hanging around I used self fabric for cuffs, hem band and neck band. I actually really like how much subtlety this adds to the sweater.

If I was going to make a complaint about this make, it would be the thread I used in my overlocker. I couldn’t decide between pink and red (the closest colours in my stash) and couldn’t see the point in buying maroon overlocker thread for one sweater. I ended up using the rose pink, and I really don’t like how it looks when the seams are stretched. If you’re nitpicky like me you might be able to see it in the image below. It’s a small thing, but details matter to me. Having said that, I know it’s likely i’m probably just blowing it out of proportion. What do you think?

I’m wearing it here with my Ash slim leg jeans with stepped hem – by now you probably think I live in them. You wouldn’t be wrong ;) These have definitely been my most worn pair of jeans, and I don’t really see that changing. I judge the comfort level of jeans by whether you can nap in them without feeling like you need to change (yes I’ve thought about this A LOT) and this pair beats all the rest. They are so so soft – the stretch denim from Potter’s is awesome. This post has probably left you with the impression I am spending a lot of time at home napping hehehe I wish that was the case!

Anyway, I just want to encourage you that it’s ok to sew things that aren’t flashy or exciting. Make things for you!! If you love it and it makes you feel good and you will wear it then it’s a worthy thing to make! I’m so happy that I took the time to make myself something I love, and really want to add more loungewear to my wardrobe.

photography by Bronnie Joel

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 lets 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 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