Lindy from Stokx Patterns has released a new pattern which is a bias top able to be added to one of the skirts from the Stokx stable to make a dress.

I used the leftover fabric from my Fibremood Niva top to make the tank and simply added it to my elderly Carla Rock, not because I was being lazy (which I probably was), but because I wanted to wear the Carla more often and I thought this might be the way.

Lindy kindly sent me the patterns, but I don’t have anywhere to print her A0 patterns – Officeworks can’t seem to manage them, so I used the A4 pattern which is the shorter, empire line, version. I had just enough leftover fabric, although I did have to piece a tiny bit.

Stitching together was easy and I was amazed that it actually fitted – great drafting Lindy!

May I say, right now, that empire line does not suit me. I am naturally high waisted and it seems to exacerbate the shortness of my body. I pondered the problem and dragged out the tiny pieces of scraps. I also found the Obi belt pattern from Pattern Union. I made it slightly longer in the body so it would meet at the back, especially as it has to sit higher up, where I’m wider, although I may have overdone this a little.

I had to do a lot of piecing and decided to do both sides the same as I couldn’t find a scrap of fabric that I felt coordinated with the dress. I also made the ties from the same fabric, also heavily pieced and cut on the bias, as a lot of my scraps had bias edges from the previously made Fibremood Niva top.

I’m not sure I’ll wear this in the summer, but I’ll definitely wear it as a pinafore. I need to work out which tops coordinate, but don’t look too dull against that mushroom and my skin.

I found my mustard merino top, and think it works well. I am really pleased with the Obi belt, given that I have no waist to speak of, but it does provide some shape. It’s quite wide so bridges the gap nicely between the top and the bottom.

The Carla Rock has such a great swish, I couldn’t stop taking photos of it. The fabric is linen that I dyed with onion skins, but my iron spat on it near the hem and discoloured it slightly. I was going to take it up to remove the lighter stain, but thought that it might ruin the line.

I decided to wear it out to meet a friend, and auditioned a couple of necklaces. I think the one below is my favourite.

I also tried the one below which is one I bought at a Paris flea market in the 1980s. It’s really interesting as it’s beaded on heavy lace. It’s a bit fancy for a morning coffee!

I also wanted to see how it would look with my legs showing, as it’s longer than I usually like. Being winter my legs are pale! Please note that the back is supposed to be longer than the front, although it’s hard to make the hem look even.

I am looking forward to layering this one, both under and over, with lots of different tops and jackets. I’m also planning another one, when I can resolve the length of the tank, I’m working on software solutions so I can print the A0 file. I think next time I will team it with the Annie Rock, although I am smitten with the Carla.

In the meantime, I wish to thank Lindy from Stokx Patterns for entrusting me with her fabulous pattern.

I had a video of Miss G riding her bike (on two wheels now) being chased on foot, with a lot of grunting, by Miss E. It wouldn’t load, so I need to work on this.