After making my two sets of the Comfy Cozy pajamas, I knew I wanted to try more from Laela Jeyne patterns. Then she started giving hints on instagram of a new collection including a cool looking swim suit. Can you guess what’s next? Oh, yes. I’m hopping on a blog tour to show off the new Summer Collection from Laela Jeyne.
I’m not ready to take on sewing a swim suit yet; but, inspired by Mallory of the Self Sewn Wardrobe I decided to take a big step out of my comfort zone and chose to make the cropped Dahlia tank top and Rose circle skirt*. Did you see me say cropped?
The axiom with cropped tops is balance your coverage: If you show a little abdomen, then have more coverage elsewhere like with a higher neckline or sleeves on your top. Full coverage on your bottom half; like a maxi skirt or pants is a good counter balance too. I’ll be honest, I had a big fear about showing too much skin and I was pretty anxious that a cropped tank top and a knee-length skirt was not going to give me enough balance between reveal and coverage.
Well, sometimes you just don’t know until you try. I made up the tank first and was elated at the fit and coverage. Yes-coverage in a cropped tank. First off, the Dahlia tank comes with cup sizes A-E, so you’re saved an FBA to avoid a tight fit across the bust, the front and back hem line scoops very nicely for a more subtle cropped look, and a good neckline and sleeve width give good coverage up top.
With the tank complete, I moved onto the Rose circle skirt. The skirt partners perfectly with the cropped tank since you choose your skirt size by measuring where you want it to sit on you. Wear it low on your hips if you like or wear it high for more coverage. I made my Rose to sit right at my natural waist. I’m showing less skin this way and most of my mommy tummy is hidden.
The Rose comes in quarter, half, and full circle options; as well as multiple length options ranging from mini to maxi. I went with the quarter circle and the 20in length and it’s just the look I like. I’m so glad to have this versatile pattern at the ready. A circle skirt pattern is a wardrobe basic that I’ve been missing.
I love how the outfit turned out and my fears about being too revealing where resolved by the design of the Dahlia tank and the fit options of the Rose skirt. I can’t believe how fast these patterns sew up and how little fabric I used. I think I spent about an hour on each of them and about 1 yd x 30in for each pattern.
So are cropped tops for you? I didn’t think they were for me, so maybe you should give it a try. If you don’t like it for streetwear, a cropped tank would be great for summer sleepwear.
Please, would you take a minute to look at what the other bloggers in the tour have made up from the Summer Collection? I’m sure they’d love you to stop by and share your thoughts.
Monday Anna’s Heirloom Boutique – Swimming in a Sea of Estrogen – Olive Ashby
Tuesday MahlicaDesigns – Pear Berry Lane – Sewing with Sarah
Wednesday Sewn at Seams – Nini and Ash – The Crafting Fiend – Sew a Piece of Joy
Thursday I am Mami de Sofiona – Sew and Tell Project – My Heart Will Sew On
Friday LoveThings! – Idle Sunshine – Lovely for Life – Neva Couture
As always, thanks for reading today.
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*Laela Jeyne provided the Dahlia and Rose patterns to use for my post. These are my straight up opinions.
You crushed this look with that crop top! I wish I had the guts to do a crop top because you rock this look and are making me want to get brave! 😍!
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So awesome! I was too shy to try the crop but now I might be as brave as you. This is so beautiful!
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I know you were nervous, but this looks AMAZING! I am so copying this look.
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This set looks fab on you!
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Looks cute on you! Love the skirt too
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The crop top does look cute on you! And the skirt too!
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The outfit looks fantastic you don’t have a mommy tummy so no worries there. I am tempted to do a crop now with a tank layered under. Thanks for taking the plunge so we could all consider the look.
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Lizzie, I DO have a mommy tummy it’s just hidden by the skirt and sucking it in. The tank comes in a regular length so if the cropped length doesn’t work for you you’d still have a great go to pattern. Wearing it over a regular layer is a great idea.
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That outfit in awesome !!! It looks great on you 🙂
Crop tops are not for me. I’m a bit chubby with love handles and a baby belly (she’s 3 now lol) and my breasts are a C cup, so my belly is about the size of my breast. But this top is beautiful. I’ll pick it up and add to my “when I loss weight” list.
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Maggie, I hope you’ll give the tank a try soon. Thank you.
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I love that you took a risk and made the cropped tank – it is beautiful and perfectly balanced with the skirt! Beautiful!
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Such a cute outfit!
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This outfit is so perfect! That crop top is just the perfect length!
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This outfit is amazing! And it really works for you ❤ I am definitely feeling inspired to get more adventurous with styling options now. 😀
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Thanks Amy! It’s so gratifying to hear that I’ve inspired someone.
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What a great skirt!
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I love this outfit! That crop top is perfect and is totally not too revealing. I’ve played around with the idea of a crop top but always thought I had to have high-waisted pants with it, but a skirt at the natural waistline is better! Keep rocking this! 😀
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Give it a try with one of your Ondees, they look a little cropped to me and would work well for the look.
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You’re a genius!! Now I’m thinking about doing a shorter Winslow Culotte in a black rayon and make sure it’s hiked up to high waist… I think that paired with an Ondee crop top would be so cute. Thanks for the suggestion!
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I love your creations! The tip about covering more in other places makes complete sense now that I’m reading it! Like an aha moment for sure. Thanks so much for joining! You look fantastic!!
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Thank you Cassy.
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