Bea-utiful

Are you a plan-way-in-advance kind of stitcher, or do you prefer to dive straight into projects as soon as they spring to mind?

I’ve managed to finish two of my #makesix2018 list so far (I know it’s supposed to be #makenine, but six is way more achievable with the amount of sewing time I have – or don’t – at the moment) and this spotty blouse is one of them. I’m not really loving feeling like my year of sewing is all mapped out, though. I’ve realised I’m definitely a short-burst kind of sewer, but this way of sewing does mean you can end up working on the same project for quite a while – which in turn sometimes means getting bored of the sight of it, and that’s especially true of projects that have been sat on my to-make pile for a long time.

All I want to wear right now, when it’s not floaty-dress weather, is a classic jeans-and-a-nice-top combo, so tops, tops and more tops are filling my sewing list at the moment and I might have to abandon my other #makesixers. I just don’t think this way of planning projects is for me – but at least I can say I tried, right?

Anyway, this is the Bea Blouse pattern from Simply Sewing, sewn up in a spotty cotton blend. I didn’t need to make too many pattern alterations – I just raised the bust dart, graded between a size 6 at the bust and a 10 at the waist because I like a looser fit, and omitted the bow detail for a more casual look.

This may not be the most exciting project to share, but I love how simple, versatile and easy-to-wear my Bea is – if I’m having one of those I-hate-all-my-clothes days, I reach for this top (to be honest, I’m not really sure what the hell I wore before I made it).

Also, shout out to my Instagram boyfriend who took these shots while suffering from the worst hayfever (and only complained a little).