It felt so good to clean up my workspace last weekend and to clear a little space to work… SO good that I dove right into a new project, fast & furious, and didn't really think things through or properly prepare… or even measure much or cut straight or sew very well.

That said, it turned out "good enough," and I am CHUFFED with my new top!! (I kept telling myself that both the pattern & the fabric would be very forgiving — this is not a tailored piece of clothing, and the busy print would hide a multitude of sins!)

Here's the story. I ordered a tunic & a dress from Gudrun Sjödén* a while back. I didn't like the dress, so I sent it back in exchange for a pair of pants… that I thought were black linen. Turns out, it was a floral pattern on a black background. I tried them on & they fit okay, but there's no way that I could style those voluminous floral pants in a way that I'd feel comfortable leaving the house (and I prefer knits for PJ/house pants). I loved the print, though, and thought, "I'd wear a top in that print!"

"Voluminous" is a keyword, as are One-Yard Minimalist Top. I don't know if I'd have called them palazzo pants, but the legs were very wide and almost straight. It seemed like a good gamble to try transforming them. As I mentioned the other day, I cut off the legs, matched the side seams and cut straight up the middle on the wider side of each, then squared up for front & back — one leg for the front, the other for the back. The shoulder pieces are rectangles that I cut from the remainder.

The pattern is written to utilize both hand- and machine-sewing; I started to fell seams by hand but my heart wasn't in it & I needed a fix — so I did the entire thing by machine.

Measurements: It's basically a square — 28" wide (56" circumference), and 29" long from shoulder to hem, utilizing the original hem. The side slits are 5", and the armholes are a generous 10".

Modifications: I scooped the front neckline. As written, the front & back are both square — in fact, as written, there's no difference between front & back. I like a square neckline, but it was just a bit high. I think I'd imagined that it would drape a little, sort of like a cowl, but it didn't. So, I cut it to make a scoop about 2" deep and I like it so much better.

I wore it all day yesterday and loved it! Next time? I'd take my time, zigzag the fabric edges right away (if needed), and be more precise in sewing — especially seam allowance — I was all over the place and it was sometimes difficult to do the finishing. If possible, I'd adjust the width of the pieces — make the back just a bit wider than the front and adjust the shoulder pieces to suit. I think the fit/look on the front would be improved with slightly less "bunching" in front, and the "sleeves" would look a little better. Definitely not a deal-breaker, though. The pattern/project is quick & satisfying!

*Boy, I sure do love that Swedish aesthetic — colors, layering & quality of those clothes (Hanna Andersson for the kids) — but this girl, with a great love for "neutral," has to be careful and filter!

Some random stuff going on over here:

Kate has finished repainting the bedrooms upstairs. I love the sunshine streaming into this room (which used to be our bedroom when we occupied the entire house)! It's also more than a little depressing, as an Airbnb Superhost who really relished the role, to see nothing but cancellations and uncertainty in the future. Weddings, reunions, and conferences have been canceled, postponed, or are happening via other methods. Not to mention the impact on our income. Blah. I try not to languish there and look ahead, instead. We're doing a re-do of decor and then I'll update photos and the listing… we'll be ready, come what may.

Kate also helped me make some vegetable dumplings! Yum. She helped make dumplings in December when Maddy, Viv, Katy & Cito were here — MK&C having just visited Japan — but I didn't get in on the actual making then. It was fun!

I got new tires on my car — new front brakes and an oil change, too! Pretty mundane, but I'm very happy about it all (especially the tires — that was way overdue).

Rusty's been doing some repairs to the plaster-and-lathe ceiling in the laundry room. That's also a chore that's way overdue — WAY WAY WAY OVERDUE! We got a good deal on some new laminate flooring at Restore just around Christmas — the current floor in here is just painted particle board, and it's deteriorating — but I proposed that we had to start at the top. I'd really love a complete re-do in this room, and we've pondered major renovation, too, but I think we'll just stick with ceiling & floor right now. And a little re-arranging (likely some purging) of some of the stuff in there. Out of necessity, due to previous owners being inattentive to their dog, that was the first room in the house that got any serious attention — paint, wallpaper (which we found in the basement), and floor — that was 33 years ago! (Hm. Not bad mileage for a much-used painted particle board floor, I guess!)

In addition to knitting and stitching, I did a little sewing for Malina & Gin… these are Baby Raleigh tops from Little Lizard King (a free pattern, available in two size ranges). The main fabric is vintage from a friend's stash (and lining is vintage muslin — maybe old curtains — from mine) and I just couldn't be happier with them. And, yes! I've downloaded the adult-size cross-back apron pattern that Kym linked to today!!