When searching for fabrics for our shop, we sometimes stumble across a find just too good to pass up! While putting together out Resort 2018 collection we found a treasure trove of rayon shirtings from tropical menswear designer Rehn Spooner. In amongst all of the gorgeous tropical prints and scenics we uncovered this Christmas gem!
We rarely find seasonal fabrics and this one is kind of over the top adorable! Vintage-inspired the print includes everything you love about this time of year—ice skating, horse drawn sleighs, Christmas trees, packages, snowmen and of course, jolly old St. Nick! Now the big question, what to make with it?
ModCloth is a great RTW site for inspiration, especially for more novelty print fabrics like this one. I pulled together a few of my favorites including a gathered skirt, pajamas and a fun holiday robe. I also found some great indie patterns to help create each look!
Carolyn Pajamas | Cleo Skirt | Lakeside Pajamas | Lahja Dressing Gown
While I love all of these ideas, I have in my head a fun holiday top. This printed rayon challis is lighter weight, super soft and drapes beautifully—perfect for a tunic or blouse! With that in mind I narrowed down my pattern choices to the Sew Liberated Matcha Top and the True Bias Roscoe Blouse. Both have that kind of oversized relaxed look I love and will show off the pattern well. With the help of the Instagram polling feature and the online sewing community I settled on the Roscoe!
My Christmas Roscoe Blouse went together start to finish in just one afternoon. This is a pattern I have sewn before and I love how easy it goes together. The fussiest part is all the gathering on the neckline and sleeves, but the bound-edge finish looks amazing and it really doesn’t take too time. One recommendation—I don’t ever waste my time trying to stitch-in-the-ditch. Rather than try to stitch over the previous stitching and catch all the layers at the same time, I like to top stitch 1/8″ away from the “ditch”. It saves me a lot of time, aggravation and always gives a nice finish every time.
I love how my Christmas blouse turned out! Yes, some may think it is a bit cheesy but I love the vintage feel and its total uniqueness. I definitely won’t run into anyone else with such an awesome holiday shirt! Kelli’s Roscoe has become one of my TNT patterns that I can always go back to. The relaxed style with the subtle feminine touches make it a great pattern for any occasion. I might have a stack of other drapey wovens just waiting to become a few more Roscoe tops… I might mix a few Matcha Tops in for good measure!
Happy Holidays!
Michelle
Cute!!
I love it!
This is so cute! Love the Christmas theme and this blouse pattern. I like your comment about stitching 1/8 inch from the “ditch”, now why have I not thought about that. I will have to try this in the future.
you *might* run into someone with such an awesome Christmas blouse, because now I need a copycat version!!! But will use the Bonn pattern, so… 🙂