I love sewing garments for summer so much more so than winter, I find. While I love wool there’s just something to be said for easy, breezy garments.
First of all – Rayon! I am smitten with you, rayon. Let’s just take a second and hear me admit out loud that this is the first time I’ve sewn a garment with rayon challis. I know, right?!
I’ve always known rayon is wonderful and I have several vintage rayons hoarded saved for the perfect dress. But I really can’t believe I’ve never sewn with it before now.
I purchased this Cotton & Steel Rayon when I was in Austin a couple of months ago, knowing I was going to use it for Tania Culottes. I was able to get my culotte cut with 3 yards, total fabric hog. But it is like making two circle skirts, one for each leg.
I bought the Tania Culotte pattern last year and promptly made one in a rayon/linen blend near the end of last summer. Sadly that doesn’t fit anymore – so I knew I had to make up another pair for this summer.
My favorite part about this pattern is that you can’t even tell it’s a culotte – it looks very much like a skirt. To me it’s a total *win* of a pattern. No chafing when it’s hot out and no one is the wiser that I’m wearing culottes.
While the pattern now comes with 3 different lengths – I was forced to modify the original mini culotte pattern as I wasn’t given an upgrade for free (when I asked). Kind of a pain in the butt… but it was easy enough to just lengthen this to a knee-length.
I did add some additional height to the inseam crotch, I believe 1″ or so. In my first version my thighs still rubbed together – which negated the purpose of culottes for me to begin with (ie chafing in the summer).
I got some free sunflower seeds and I figured why not plant them up and see what happens. I started them in my basement with the rest of my flowers and look how tall they’ve gotten. I noticed that some of the seeds were gone in the center so I decided to give one a shot myself.
I love these daily surprises that are happening in my garden.
The blouse I’m wearing is Ondee, by Deer & Doe.
This is my first make using Deer & Doe patterns, although I do have a couple others by them sitting on my shelf.
I made mine up using a cream-colored, french terry knit.
I did have a bit of trouble getting the center front of the collar to lay flat and not show the serged edge, but it does alright.
I love that this short blouse has a vintage flair. This silhouette reminds me of my earlier short-sleeved hand knits like this one.
The blouse falls at your true waist, so wearing a skirt (or in this case culotte) that hits at the waist is pretty essential unless you want to show some skin. Anyone tallish (aka over 5′ to me) may need to lengthen the bodice. It’s perfect on me, but I’m 4’11”.
These two patterns, the Tania culotte especially, is a summer staple of mine this year. I’ve since made up a second rayon version with a third happening shortly. All the rayon things are happening this summer, to be honest.
I’ve quickly learned that rayon and linen/rayon blends are my favorite summer fabrics. And if you’re not tempted to use some rayon yourself, let me just leave you with this bit of rayon loveliness that is coming out in August! You can be sure I’m getting that navy base floral as soon as it is physically possible. The periwinkle base will be purchased second… lol
(In no way am I compensated for my opinions… I just am currently smitten and need to share.)
Happy Sewing!
In: Sewing
Wow, I couldn’t tell those were culottes at all! I was on the fence about buying the pattern, because I thought the inseam seemed low…but if you just raised it a smidge and it was fine, maybe I should try!
Raising the inseam was pretty easy to do. It’s basically the same process of raising an armhole seam on a bodice.
I will say the higher your culotte sits on your waist – the inseam will need to match it. I had this issue and had to scoop out a bit more to my back booty inseam to make some more room. But if you raise it too high – its easy to scoop more out, but if its too low… its too low for all time.
Totally recommend this pattern – its my new fav summer “skirt”.
What super pictures. Top, cullotes, hair, garden, what can I say but wonderful covers everything.
Thanks so much Llynnda.
My garden sure has taken off! I even was able to pick my first spaghetti squash yesterday night – I can’t wait to eat it. :D
Lovely! Rayon really is amazing for sewing clothes — also, tencel (more environmentally friendly). I pre-ordered the periwinkle floral rayon and CANNOT WAIT for it to be ready in August.
Thanks for the info about Tencel Sue. It’s so hard to decide which is better that periwinkle base or the navy – they’re both gorgeous. What are you making with yours??
Totally adorable outfit and lovely photos! I love your garden. and we have the same watering can. :)
Thanks Becca. My mom bought me that watering can – I love it!
Great outfit! I keep meaning to make the culottes but still haven’t gotten around to it. Any chance of an update on how you are liking your sub-irrigated raised beds?
The sub-irrigated beds are doing so well. The one my lettuce is in, honestly doesn’t need to be sub-irrigated since the roots are shallower. I find myself walking back to that box and watering with my can and rainwater in the evenings. (Honestly its a good excuse to check to see how everyone is doing).
But my one box with all of my big stuff like tomatoes, squashes, herbs, and scallions is what’s using the reservoir more – since I’ve found that one needs weekly fillings as opposed to my back (lettuce) planter box. Only when it gets super hot here in Chicago do I find that I need to surface water that front box. I did last night & also found the reservoir was dry too… so that’s probably why it needed a surface watering also.
I’ll do a proper post at some point – probably towards the end of summer since I’ll know how well it did after I’ve done a full harvest. I will say I have 10 spaghetti squashes on the vine with more coming! It’s prolific at the moment and I picked my first one last night. :D
I love your coluttes and keep looking at the pattern but the lack of summer in England means I still haven’t worn many summer clothes. Cotton and Steel make lovely rayon, it looks the perfect weight for these, floaty and whooshy. Your garden looks great too.
You are so freakin’ cute! Love culottes and so glad that these patterns are available again. Shhh. Don’t tell anyone but my mom sewed culottes for me when I was a kid.
I really like your outfit and hairdo! I am not a culotte person but also a rayon fan (although my last dress keeps wrinkling like hell)! And I am quite glad you’re posting about your garden, I’ve got an alotment overflowing with cherries, cucumbers and courgettes!
Gorgeous outfit and I love your watering can!