not your usual DVF

Think Diane Von Furstenberg and you automatically think a fabulous dress, in particular a wrap dress, correct? In fact I even have this dress pattern picked up from an op shop (of course) but not yet sewn:

Well I was giving my magazine collection (hoard) a clean out recently and was flicking through some old InStyle magazines when this picture from her spring/summer 2007 collection caught my eye:

I immediately thought of my red linen BWOF shorts I recently made, because I've been struggling to find a top to wear with it other than a boring white or grey t-shirt. So I made this:

It's from Simplicity 4589, which is a super simple top with a great square neckline. I made this from some black and white check cotton which looks like gingham but is a thicker fabric and has a slight crinkle to it, paired with a plain black neckband to save matching the checks! All stash material which is a bonus.

I've made this top several times before, and because it's gathered across the front and back it has a tendency to balloon out and look a little maternity. In fact I made a version of this in a nursing/post pregnancy top with just a little tweaking. So instead of gathering I put one inverted pleat at the front and the back, so it sits much better although it still balloons out at the back a little, but I can live with it:

Anyway I'm on hyperdrive for my sewing this week, I have a bunch of things cut out and pinned together so all I have to do is find some time to sit down and sew them production line style. Nothing like a looming deadline for motivation!