Cristina Emslie from the Lewes Sewing Bees has made this beautiful Liberty Wiltshire Blouse using one of our Alice Caroline Exclusive colourways. It’s called Wiltshire Blueberry and looks really pretty in this top. I asked Cristine about the make.
Why did you choose the fabric?
“When I first saw the exclusives, the one that caught my attention was the one Gill used for her jacket (Anna’s Garden Teal – project coming up next week) and I wanted to make a pair of pjs with it. I was a bit slow at showing my preference and when we were able to get together as a group and show interest for specific fabrics I realised that it would be nice to show case more of the gorgeous fabrics and make something no one else in the group was making. I showed my daughter, Sofia the choice of fabrics and she instantly chose this lovely colourway of Wiltshire.”
Which pattern did you use and why?
“I had in mind making her a gorgeous shirt that she recently received (as second hand one from Zara) but I then showed her an old top she used to wear and that she had grown out of. She preferred the latter, so I copied it as best as I could. I just had to make it bigger. This, for me was a bit of a challenge as I haven’t got any experience in pattern making nor altering them! Thank goodness my eldest daughter has been around a bit and having studied fashion design at university she helped me do it.”
What do you love about sewing with the Bees?
“I love sewing with the Bees. It is a combination of therapy and creativity that makes it so enjoyable. We talk about art, music, books that we have read, gardening, family… Our sessions are always so lovely and leave me feeling really good. For family commitments I can’t make it to all the sessions but they always leave me feeling joyful.”
Does your daughter love the finished blouse?
“The top we were inspired by also had some trimmings on the top part of it and I was hoping to make a binding of another of your exclusives but I am afraid it was vetoed. This child knows her mind! Sofia loves the blouse as it is although she would prefer round buttons. I am afraid I sneaked those in before she noticed. I am sure she will learn to love them, and anyway it is not as if she can see them being on the back.”
What is your favourite thing to sew?
“I do love a challenge and love to make clothes (although not very good at it!) and quilts. I also like making small things that are easy and practical. I love shoe bags for travelling, wash bags, pencil cases ????! Or bags to put small goodies in. Lavender bags… little things that I can give as gifts but that are practical.”
Thank you so much for sharing your lovely project – I hope that Sophia really enjoyed wearing the blouse. You should make those PJ’s!
