Issue 19 of FibreMood Magazine came out last week!! I had the chance to sew one of the patterns ahead of time again, and this time I chose the Vanya. This is a really cool pattern – I was very drawn to the dress option, but I am constantly recognizing a need for tops in my closet so was very excited that this one came with a top option included! The overall idea of this pattern is a figure accentuating, princess-seamed pattern with a squared off neckline and BIG poofy sleeves. The dress option features a side zip and a great side slit. The top has a zipper that is inserted to separate fully at the hem, which I really like.
The finished product was the perfect piece to complete my outfit for Easter Sunday this year. I loved having something neutral but special that I could pair with my skirt. I recently realized that it can be so hard for me to pair my me-made separates together because it seems I only want to sew florals and prints… And while print mixing can be fun, sometimes it is too much! this top filled a hole in my closet, and the color was perfectly spot on to match my kiddos’ cute little Easter outfits!
I sewed my top out of a Sandwashed Cotton I purchased from Blackbird Fabrics at the end of last year. Recognizing the need for some solids to pair with my multitudes of florals, I used a coupon code I’d received to purchase some really great cuts of different solids to fill some wardrobe gaps. This is the first piece that I’ve had the chance to sew up, and this stuff is the best – it gives some of the same loose, rumply, wonderful vibes as linen, while still behaving like a cotton – think crisp lines, easy pressing, easy to bend to my will! This color is called Milky Tea and it is the perfect summertime neutral. I think it is going to go with everything, but it’s such a soft color in comparison to something more like a stark white. I sometimes find facings to be really fiddly and hard to keep in place even with some strategic tacking stitches, but I haven’t noticed that issue with this top… I don’t know if it is the pattern, the fabric, or a combination, but the understitching worked wonders and the facing doesn’t tend to try to show itself off.
As an extra bonus, this top looks quite a bit like one I had pinned to a sewing and fashion inspiration pinterest board earlier this year when I was trying to tailor my sewing plans towards some solid pieces! I believe the original piece I’d pinned was from Anthropologie and featured a giant bow along the top of the back, and while I love the drama and may figure out how to hack that feature into this pattern in the future, the giant sleeves are enough of an accent as it is!
Don’t forget to check out the many awesome patterns included in FibreMood 19! As always, I’m earmarking a number of them for future use! In the meantime, enjoy these Easter photos!
Top: handmade by me
Pattern: Fibre Mood – Vanya Top/Dress
Fabric: Blackbird Fabrics – Sandwashed Cotton in Milky Tea
Key Ingredients:
Brother XR9500PRW Sewing Machine
Brother 1034D Overlocker
Dahle 36×48 Self-healing Cutting Mat
Prym Sewing Machine Needles
Gutermann Sew All Polyester Sewing Thread
Thanks for reading my thoughts on this pattern! The Vanya Top / Dress pattern by Fibre Mood was gifted to me as part of the blogger group helping to promote the newest issue of Fibre Mood Magazine and the patterns it contains. The fabric used in this garment was purchased by me. All words and opinions expressed throughout this post are my own, as always. Links provided throughout this post may be affiliate links – if you choose to purchase any products through these links, I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you. This simply helps me justify the costs of my sewing habit and the time it takes to share it with you!! Happy Sewing!
- XX Elizabeth
