This floral cotton-spandex resided in my stash for several years, because I loved it so much I didn’t want to make it into something that turned out to be a disappointment. …
I finally settled on a sleeveless blouse-skirt combo, i.e., a 2-piece dress. The outfit is devoid of embellishment, and has no decorative features at all. My plan was to start with the most basic garments and add to them as necessary for aesthetics or function. To my surprise, the basic un-embellished duo became one of my favorite go-to outfits this summer.
For a pattern, I traced a simple, old linen blouse in my closet. The only change I made was to slightly indent the side seams at the waist.
The blouse slips over the head, and has a button-loop closure in the back. I used a reflective fabric covered button.
The skirt is a simple rectangle, seamed up the back, slightly tapered at the waist, with an elastic casing.
I lined the blouse and skirt with cotton percale sheet fabric. The lining is super comfortable in hot weather, and adds just a smidge more body to the garments.
This turned out to be the kind of simple outfit that sneaks up on you and becomes the thing you wear everywhere. I’ve worn this outfit when bicycling, to the office, to meet friends for dinner, and to the ballpark. I wore the blouse to a big-time concert last month with a pair of khaki shorts. (More on that to come.) The outfit basically goes anywhere. It’s been excellent for road trips and travel. This simple duo is going to end up in my personal little dress hall of fame.
Here it is with a 10+ year old hand-embroidered Putumayo sweater that I thought was inching closer to the donation box. Not anymore. It’s part of the ensemble now.
With Autumn arriving in a week, I already miss wearing this outfit. I’m considering making another version in fall colors, with simple 3/4 sleeves.
run | sew | read 
Such a nice ensemble together with the cardigan! That floral fabric has an intricate pattern, so any fancy details on the garment would only distract from it. Sometimes simple lines are best. 🙂
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Thank you! True about simple lines. I’m glad I didn’t start out with something more complex in mind.
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Super cute outfit. AND a clip to one of my favorite movies to boot!
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Thank you! I love the movie too, and I realized when I wrote this post that it’s been way to long since I watched it. Must remedy that. 🙂
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I like anything that Carole King sings…thanks…I haven’t heard that in forever.
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I love the songs she has written, but I’m not actually a fan of her singing. This one is the exception. I loved it from the first time I heard it.
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I have always liked Tapestry. I grew up on that album…my sister had it.
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I’m not surprised your sister had the album. I may be one of the very few who didn’t. It’s pleasant, and the songs so well written, but it’s just not for me. The ‘You’ve Got Mail’ song grabbed me immediately, though. I went straight out and bought the soundtrack CD.
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Her and that cat will forever imprinted on my mind. I like this one also…I have not heard it in years.
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It was certainly an iconic album cover. I’m sure I initially liked the songs more than I’m recalling now. It was just so overplayed in my region. That’s probably what turned me against it.
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It was over played no doubt…It was one of the first mega albums so to speak where everything was a single.
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Lovely outfit! I would have loved to see you model it! I love the button closure in the back. Cute touch!
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Thank you! (Lately, I have been modeling my garments in a bad mirror selfie. I really don’t know why I didn’t think of it with this outfit.)
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