Blue Carolina Blog Tour

It’s no secret that I love fabric. So you better believe I’ve been crushing hard on the new fabric line from Christopher Thompson, aka The Tattooed Quilter. Pretty florals in my favorite blues with a dash of pink- hello! Blue Carolina for Riley Blake Designs just speaks to the preppy, classic girly girl in me. I jumped on this fun blog tour in a heartbeat!

I had such a hard time settling on prints for this tour- so many gorgeous florals, fun pup prints, and I still need to grab me some of this ‘cut, sew, repeat’ fabric!

I knew I wanted to make something for me but I just had to do a coordinating top for my mini me too! I love her developing sense of style and it’s a bonus that it’s so much like my own. I know that if I’d wear it, she’ll love it too! The fabrics were just perfect for both of us! I went with the Carolina Lace Navy and for hers I used the Carolina Ditz Blue. Lace prints get me e-ver-y time! I’m also loving this ditzy floral- with all the huge floral prints out there this sweet small-scale print is so refreshing.

Her blouse is a Patricia Top from Simple Life Pattern Company (you totally need to check out Katie’s stop on the tour here!). I did the dramatic hi-low version and a modified half sleeve. I can’t get over how much I love that hemline!

That scoop back makes for easy assembling and super easy on/off! I went with my daughters measurements on this but I think I would size down next time. She’s a mini me in almost every way, including my rectangle body type. Her narrow shoulders make fitting a bit more difficult but it also makes me so glad I can sew for her petite frame! I think this loose style still works for her and think it’ll look darling layered under a cardigan for fall too.

This print, actually this whole line really transitions well for every season. The colors are timeless and classic and I can see it working equally as well for a long sleeve button up top as it does for a summer sundress.

For my top I used my go-to woven tee pattern, the Shoreline Boatneck from Blank Slate Patterns. I did a simple hack to add a gathered peplum to the bodice. I wanted a little more feminine look and this was perfect!

There is a hack pack included with the pattern that includes a similar look. Since I already had my regular pattern ready to go I chose to do the hack my own way. I simply cut my bodice pieces at my natural waistline plus seam allowances. I sewed my bodice together per the pattern (I lengthened my sleeves a couple of inches) then added a gathered skirt. My skirt pieces measured 13″ by 1.5x the width of the bottom of the bodice pattern piece. I didn’t want a super full skirt and this worked just as I had planned.