Laura’s Festive Sagebrush
The last of our festive posts using the gorgeous fabrics from December’s SewHayleyJane box. Party season is always a great excuse to don all the sparkles and glitter.
However, if dressing like a Christmas tree isn’t your jam, then just adding elements into your garments is a nice easy way to incorporate the party spirit into your outfit. Before you know it, you’ll be in head-to-toe sequins!
This fabric that Hayley has chosen is perfect for showcasing a puff-ball sleeve. I turned to an old favourite – the Sagebrush top by Friday Pattern Company. I have made this pattern a few times before and love the details of it.
I found the most perfect co-ordinating fabric for the main part of the top from 1st for Fabrics. It is a jacquard satin with a raised polka dot design and red spotty print that I think mimics the sequin dots on the lace so beautifully. It is also the exact shade of red in the spots.
The top comes together so easily as with all Friday Pattern Company patterns. Top marks all around for sizing, drafting, instructions and design!
This is the first time using a fabric like this in my sewing experience, and probably something I wouldn’t pick out myself. Since Hayley has switched up the format of the boxes with this supplementary fabric, there is so much scope and it is so exciting to see what she picks. Getting just a meter of a fabric like this is just really good chance to try something new and get my design juices going!
It does have a little bit of stretch to it, but I just treated it like a regular woven fabric. Because the sequin dots are so fine, you don’t need anything special to sew with it, I just used a regular sewing needle and regular tension on my machine and it went through perfectly fine.
The only thing that you need to be super duper careful with is apply any heat as the fabric will melt… don’t ask me how I know…
The thing that gives these sleeves the puff shape is the elasticated cuff. The pattern tells you to press a double fold hem, however that wasn’t going to be possible with this fabric. So, I just overlocked around the bottom, then finger-pressed and sewed a scant inch for the hem.
I also used a black elastic to help it blend in better.
I really love how this top has come out. I think that it is just the right amount of festive without being over-the-top Christmas bauble. If the classic “jeans and a nice top” is your go to outfit, then this is your jam. With it being nice and loose, there’s plenty of room for that second (or third!) helping of Christmas pudding.
I’m looking forward to wearing this under a pinafore, with those gorgeous, big sparkly sleeves peeking out.