Natural Lace Top

 I saw a shirt on a French influencer (surprise, surprise, that seems to be my thing this summer!), and decided to make my own version using osnaburg fabric (100% cotton, but looks very natural/linen-like and is quite drapy) and lace I found that was imported from Belgium (this is my third project using lace from this line - check out this post and this one!)

I chose Butterick 6685, and squared off the neckline a bit to make it more like the inspiration, and then I put the center front lace on. I used four different laces from the same set so that I had variety but the color was all the same. Then I finished off the sleeves, and basted the sides to check the fit. Because the lace needed to meet up front and back, I wanted to check the fit before stitching it on. Once I had it where I wanted it, I marked it with a fabric pen and attached the lace. I used a scalloped lace, and fit the scallops together to get the loom I wanted, but of course they ended up getting out of alignment, as the inner one had a longer way to go. I solved this by cutting the inner one apart at the shoulder seam, and cutting a flower appliqué from one of the others to elongate the line. 

After all that was on, I sewed ties for the sides to make the bows, and attached them right where the lace ended at my waist mark when sewing the side seams a final time (mine are 1” wide and 18” long). My inspiration picture had two ties on each side, one under the arm as well as at the waist, I think because it actually ties shut. But since I wasn’t planning for mine to tie shut, and I felt like it might be irritating to have something sticking out under my arm like that, I left it off. I then finished off the neck as the pattern directed, and put a straight hem in, as I plan to wear it tucked in. The last step was one last flower appliqué to cover the raw edges on the front lace, and it was done. 

I know I often say I love something I made, and it’s very true, but this is definitely a favorite, I’m getting tons of compliments on it, and I can’t wait to wear it for years to come!