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Esther’s Melilot Shirt

In January Esther received the Classic box and paired her red floral viscose with a Deer and Doe Melilot Shirt.

Every month I receive a box, it comes with such excitement and it is unexpected when I open the box and instantly fall in love with the fabric. That is the story of this month’s box, it was love at first sight with this fabric and I was very excited to get the Classic box knowing I would have enough fabric to make most of the things I would like.

I love viscose fabric. I love the drape, how easy it is to sew and the ease of pressing. But this fabric is special, I am so in love with the colour. I think the colour goes very well with my skin tone. The drape of the fabric is wonderful, and the fabric has excellent quality.

This year, I am committed to making an intentional wardrobe, really thinking about what I would wear based on my lifestyle and what I need to make. I would ideally like to make a few weather-based capsule wardrobes but since I already have a stash full of randomly purchased fabric that I would like to use, I think capsule wardrobes might be a bit difficult, so I have decided to go next best thing, intentional sewing.

The major gap that I am trying to fill in my wardrobe is tops, for some reason, I just don’t like making tops. So, this year, I will be trying to make tops, especially woven tops when I get the chance. In an unusual fashion, the moment I saw the fabric, I knew exactly what I wanted to make. I decided that I would like to make a blouse that would go with all the trousers I’ve made over the years as well as the jeans I made last month. I recently made the Deer and Doe Myosotis which helped me get over my fear of buttonholes, plus the pattern introduced me to Deer and Doe and I was eager to try more from their pattern line.

The Deer and Doe Melilot shirt caught my attention and I knew that it was the pattern to make with my gorgeous viscose fabric. I fell in love with the shaping of the shirt plus it’s curved hemline which rises at the side seams gives such a unique look to the shirt.

I made a one inch full bust adjustment to this pattern. And in an unusual fashion, I decided not to make a toile and hope for the best. I am glad things went well because that could have backfired. I made the casual shirt with drop shoulders and cuffed short sleeves and a mandarin collar. Even though this was my first shirt, the construction was quite easy and quick. I ended up only using one metre of my fabric so I have enough left over for another garment.

It is a simple shirt but looks awesome. I love the cuff at the sleeves. I feel that the shirt is a bit long so this one may not be perfect for tucking into jeans and trousers but I love the curved hem, and I think it looks great with skinny jeans and leggings, which are staples in my wardrobe.

I loved the whole process of making this shirt and would definitely be making more in the future. I can see it in heavy rotation in my spring and summer wardrobe. And since I am big on layering, I know it will be well worn in the colder months as well. Essentially, my Melilot will be getting a lot of wear as winter changes to spring and spring to summer.