summer wardrobe : alma

I remember my mother making me the prettiest dress when I was 6 or 7. It had cute little puffed sleeves, bluebird fabric and best of all, a Peter Pan collar. So although, sadly, there will be no bluebirds and puffed sleeves today, a Peter Pan collar there will be.

It was a windy day!

I had purchased Sewaholic's Alma pattern some months ago, and thought the christmas holidays would be the perfect time to sew this for. I had never sewn a blouse type of pattern before, let alone a collar, but this one had the advantage of no fiddly buttons, just an invisible side zipper of which I have sewn with a few times.

The fabric, a Liberty print, was not cheap, but was a little christmas splurge (at least that is my excuse). It was beautiful to work with though, is comfortable to wear, and I don't think I will ever tire of the print. I would like to think that this is something I could wear for years, and perhaps one day when it becomes too worn to wear, could be cut up for patchwork.

I can't quite recall which size I cut out for, only that there was a mixture of sizes involved in the final cut, and there was some altering along the way. I think in my intentions of not making it sack-like it ended up a little too fitted, with tucks instead of darts. I did lengthen it slightly.

The pattern was easy to follow and the steps do-able if you have made a few things before. I would definitely make this again, perhaps one of the other Alma versions next time. I have been wearing it with slim fitting jeans, but I would like to try it tucked in with a skirt at some stage.

My own Mum decided to trace the same pattern too, and the next time I saw her there she was in her very own Alma. She didn't even need the instructions. Unfortunately though I did not manage to get matching Alma photos!




Have you been sewing or making lately?
What have you been making or planning?