We’ve been having some amazing temperatures here in Virginia. February feels like May and I am not complaining! This weekend, I decided that I was in need of some new tops in my wardrobe and decided to go into my stash for some inspiration.
The first new addition to my wardrobe this weekend was this Sew Over It Silk Cami. I have made a handful of these tops – mainly when I first started sewing. In the past, I had a lot of issues with the facing sitting flat across my chest. I decided to do a little experimenting this time. Instead of sewing the neckline using a facing in the front and back (including the arm holes) as prescribed in the pattern. I used bias binding. I think it really helped it sit better on my chest and now will be a standard adjustment for me to make in the future on this tank! For the bias binding, I used another print from Liberty Bias Binding from Liberty Haberdashery on Etsy.
For the fabric itself, I was able to use something I’ve been holding onto in my stash. Style Maker Fabrics came out with a Resort Line earlier this weekend and it basically had my name written all over it! This Coral Rayon Poplin was my favorite from the collection. Summer patterns and colors are my favorite and this fabric reminded me a lot of my Lilly Pulitzer tops that I have in my ready to wear wardrobe.
The Rayon Poplin was really easy to sew with. Some rayons are slippy when sewing, but because this was a poplin rayon, it was much more stable and made sewing it a breeze!
One of my favorite details of the Silk Cami is the curved hem. To make it a little bit easier, I used the same bias binding on the hem as well which made sewing that curved hem a lot easier for me. This also made the inside of the garment just as pretty as the outside! All bias binding and french seams leads to a garment that is just as pretty on the inside as on the outside!
Because the weather has been a little bit transitional, I paired the Silk Cami with a Laurelhurst Wrap by Straight Stitch Designs – another repeat favorite for me!
I made the Laurelhurst in a Black Jersey Knit from Style Maker Fabrics. It was the perfect weight for this flowy cardigan. I love this Laurelhurst because it can be worn anywhere – to work, out to dinner on a date night, to workout in the morning – it’s really versatile.
This outfit was a perfect addition to my wardrobe to jump right into Spring in February! As part of today’s Me Made Monday post, I’m linking up with Allie at Allie J for her Social Sew this month – Date Night! Our date nights are on the more casual side around here – but this is the perfect outfit for dinner after work or on the weekend to unwind! Make sure you check out all the other linkups on the Social Sew over on Allie’s page!
Are you getting a kick start on your Spring sewing? Let me know what you’re up to in the comments!
This is such a pretty outfit and I love the Lily inspired fabric!
Thank you! The fabric was definitely my favorite part!
Love both your tops! I’ve just discovered the joy of making a curved hem with bias tape! WOW did that ever work beautifully – wish I’d stumbled into that idea before since I’m a huge fan of them (curved hems). Love your sweater as well. I mistakenly made a Jalie long sweater last year out of a ponte that I SO regretted – it was too stiff – beefy maybe describes it better and it doesn’t flow – it just sort hangs there. I love the way yours flows. I love that Jalie pattern so I’ll no doubt make another and keep your soft flowing black jersey in mind!
Love the fabric. Looks beautiful. Love it too, to sew with bias binding, it is so easy and fast.
Hi Lara!
Love your blog and instagram–thanks for posting so much about what you’ve learned!
I just made my first SOI Silk Cami, and I’m finding it’s really wide on my shoulders. Did you have that problem too? I have gaping at the front and back….is that what you’re talking about when you say it didn’t sit flat on your chest?
Thanks so much! Fingers crossed for a perfect fit when I alter this.
Thanks!
Yeah – that’s exactly what I was talking about! I didn’t have the issue in the back but I did in the front. It seems like each one I make is a little different too depending on the fabric. Removing the facing and doing bias binding has helped with the neckline a lot.
I recently have been trying out the Gemma tank which has a dart. I have one 3/4 of the way done and I think the fit is a little bit better on me than the Silk Cami.