I’m about to embark upon a flurry of blog posts and this is the first.

There’s a Sew Together For Summer 2025 challenge going on over on Instagram which is to sew a coordinating set. The rules state that the set needs to be from the same fabric or, can both be colour blocked from the same set of fabrics and must be made during July. I decided to make the Fibremood Tasha shorts and the Goldfinch bias shift top.

The Tasha shorts have an elastic waistband, a drawstring tie, and handy in-seam pockets. I chose to eliminate the drawstring as I’m not a massive fan of having the knot under tops. I made the size S but might go down a size next time as they are pretty roomy – think bloomers. I used a donated tablecloth which I dyed in a not quite exhausted red vat, and which provided quite a pretty pink.

I added a heart to promote women’s heart health. Just a subtle heart which I blanket stitched on to the leg of the shorts. I can’t find it when I’m wearing the shorts, so may make it more visible somehow.

Theres not a lot to say about these shorts as they went together really easily and I am really enjoying the roomy pockets.

Having made the shorts I had to consider the top. I had something in mind and had a fair bit of fabric left over, but then I was inspired by a post by Liz Haywood on The Craft of Clothes, where she made the The Bias Shift top which is a new zero waste pattern by Emily Klug of Goldfinch Textile Studio. The minute I saw hers I knew I needed this top in my life! I made size D out of the leftover fabric. This is a fun and interesting pattern to make and the only thing I didn’t use was the neck facings – I just couldn’t make them work. Of course I forgot to take any in progress photos, but I would urge you to look at Liz’s post as she shows the making of the bias tube and the way the pattern is drawn onto the fabric. As the name suggests, the front and back are cut on the bias, so a little care needs to be taken with handling, but it does make for a lovely shape.

My fabric is a fairly firm cotton so I didn’t get a huge amount of drape but it still works well.

There are two options, one has the front the same length as the back and the other has a shorter front with a channel sewn into the hem through which a drawstring is threaded. I really loved this look so chose that view. I think it just takes this particular top, which is a bit plain, and makes it look a bit more interesting.

I also love that it gives me a bit of shape.

The obligatory back view. In spite of the bagginess the fit is not too bad. I will definitely do some fine tuning next time though.

Having made a barely there heart for the shorts, I thought I’d try and make the one for the top a little more obvious. I cut out a pink heart and then found a denim one leftover from when I was cutting out shapes for another activity. I blanket stitched the denim heart on and then chainstitched another pink heart in the centre, using embroidery floss. I then blanket stitched the whole thing onto my sleeve as I really wanted to “wear my heart on my sleeve”.

Here you can see the two hearts together. If you microscopically examine the shorts!

I found the perfect pink button in my stash and clumsily made the loop. You might be able to see that all the seams are flat felled, which did cause a bit of unpicking to happen as I forgot how to sew straight!

I had to try them with my Fibremood Marley, the fabric for which came from the same dye pot, just an earlier dip. I was surprised at how much darker it is.

This top was made last month and is from a different tablecloth, so isn’t eligible for the two piece challenge, but it’s good to see them together as I’m sure I’ll be pairing them come the warm weather.

I haven’t taken any appropriate photos of the grandchildren recently but my son sent me this one of Miss G. I have distorted her face, which is why she looks odd. She had just been to a birthday party and is clutching a party bag full of wondrous things.