A summer Cleo

We’ve had a lot of really warm lovely weather recently. So thinking ahead to Me Made May and also potentially much more time spent at home over the next few weeks I needed to broaden my stay at home in the sunshine wardrobe.

Something comfortable for the garden but practical for my daily hour’s walk without resorting to shorts.

I’m also trying to take this opportunity to use stash fabric and material when I can. I think with a little more time on my hands I am able to spend more time matching fabric to pattern instead of making quick compulsive purchases both over the internet and in the shops!

And so my summer Tilly and the Buttons Cleo Pinafore was born.

I’d made this before in a chunky pale pink corduroy for my daughter but thought it lended itself to a summer version for me.

I traced out a size 3 (uk size 10), the shorter version. This was a little smaller than my measurements suggested but I remembered that I took my daughters size 4 in a little.

However, before I added the facing I tried it on and had to let the side seams out about 7mm (up to my overlocked edge) on each side. This was purely to enable me to sit down comfortably without straining the fabric or seams. It also aids getting it over my head as the pattern has no closures!

Its a lovely pattern, straight forward for experienced sewers and perfect for newbies with the usual impeccable instructions we are used to seeing from Tilly.

When I make this one up again I shall perhaps lengthen it by 2 inches but this will mean that I’ll definitely need the front slit of the knee length version as I’ll not be able to stride out comfortably!

Note the time spent on pattern matching! And especially on the pockets which actually has meant that you can hardly see them!

After my experience with my ginger jeans, I loved doing the top stitching, especially using a less contrasting thread this time.

I used mis-matching buttons from my stash to hold the straps although you really can’t tell. I’m glad I went for the buttons instead of holding out and ordering the dungaree buckles. I think it ties in more with the weight of this fabric.

The fabric is a light weight denim, or maybe a heavier weight chambray. It has taken a crease beautifully. I bought it last year from the bins at Abakhan, Mostyn. It was definitely a ‘second’ as these pineapples were yellow before I pre-washed it!

I’ve worn it with a vest as in these pictures and also with a longer sleeve T shirt.

It’s perfectly filled that gap in my wardrobe.

And if the sun goes in, I’m sure I’ll be wearing it loads across the summer.

Love, Lucie xx