Fleurs des Leis et du Soleil

A "Mai Tai" floral from Montgomery Wards

 and a "Joan Draper" floral sheath from Banana Republic. 

That sounded like an unusual concoction for some cocktail.

After mixing top #110B: "Exotic Dream...Dropped shoulders, cowl neckline, and a straight casual cut put plenty of drive in this hip-length top."

and the skirt portion of a dress #133 from the May 2012 issue of Burda Styla magazine,

I created what I call my "Fleur des Leis" dress.

The available sizes are Burda misses' 34-44. I sewed a "38" at the shoulders and a "40" elsewhere.


Fabric Used:
From the EOS website: "A beautiful printed lightweight cotton from Italy, with a delightful floral in a greenish-turquoise, pumpkin, black, light lime, khaki and cadet blue (PANTONE 15-5519, 15-1157, 13-0220, etc). Floaty, just a little bit sheer, with a cottony drape."

 Some brighter flash from the camera.

Just a few miles from the California/Mexico border.

The Instructions
I really did not use them since I had already sewed #109 (drawstring top) which uses the same pattern pieces for cowl top #110B, front and back. The front and back for the cowl top are both cut on the bias, whereas for the drawstring top only the front is cut on the bias (which I did not do for my drawstring top that I also transformed into a dress). However, for 110 B, I cut the back along the lengthwise grain to reduce ease.

The directions were the most concise of all the patterns in the issue. Sewing the shoulder seams, side seams, top stitch the hems of the neckline, sleeves, and lower edge are all you need to successfully create this top. Things are much more simpler with a serger or coverstitch.


Favorite, Not-so-favorite Features
With the "cowl" neckline still trending, this top is a quick and easy to alternative to other current patterns from other pattern companies. The only flaw I am able to point out is most likely due to using a woven instead of a knit is the tendency for the cowl to "ride up", which can easily be remedied by tacking the fabric to the inside with little hand stitches. Otherwise, the "peeping" fabric does not detract too much from the overall style of the top.


Adjustments/Modifications
*Just like with my drawstring top using #109, I created a "dress version" of pattern #110 B.

*I used my modified front and back pieces from drawstring top #109

*I used the skirt portion of dress #133 just like I had done with #109

My review for drawstring top/dress #109 contains the adjustments I made to the pattern pieces. They are under the "adjustments/modifications" subheader if you are interested.

*In top #109, the hems of the armscyes are topstitched prior to sewing the shoulder seams due to the insertion of the drawstrings through the encased seams. However, for this top #110B, the steps are reversed, which is typically done in the construction of shirts or blouses.

Sew it Again, Sam
Technically, this is the second time that I sewed with the same pattern pieces from #109 and #133. Next on my sewing queue with this pattern is a knit top version sometime soon. I still recommend this pattern as a quick gratification project and as a first-time Burda project.

After a week of intermittent rain, it was a nice day to enjoy the sunshine wearing something new!


My daughter looking up at the UCSD "Sun God", in La Jolla, California.   May 18 is just around the corner for the 30th annual festival to honor this colorful being (created by a talented French Artist). Oh, well, many of us have to work on that day!   http://sgf.ucsd.edu/

My daughter wearing some new leggings and a pair of Hello Kitty Vans sneakers.

"Tara Coys and Lima Greens" on a sunny and slightly windy day.