Laura from the office has made this Beautiful Liberty Set. It’s bit like a jumpsuit but way more versatile. Laura tells us about her lovely sewing project below.
“Recently, it feels like all the cool fashion brands on Instagram are making this thing called a ‘set’. Forgive me if this is old news, but I haven’t seen this trend for womenswear in my lifetime? I don’t think, at least??? For the unaware, like myself until recently, a set is two or more pieces of clothing that match each other in fabric and are usually intended to be worn at the same time. These may be skirts and tops, trousers and tops, crop tops and jackets, etc. Quite possibly the last time I wore something like a matching set in public I was a toddler, but then pretty much anything goes in toddler fashion so I guess that isn’t major news. Only recently have I added a jumpsuit to my wardrobe, and it has been great (especially with it being in very pretty Liberty Fabric Primrose Path), but surely we can all see that the matching top and trousers set is the jumpsuit evolved for the better. I have no evidence for this, but I believe the set appeals because it looks/feels a bit like just going out in your pyjamas, and therefore, the people wholly approve. It is also a super lazy option, well suited to those who don’t want to spend more than 1 minute getting dressed- hurrah!”
“Tana Lawn® is 100% cotton, so amazingly soft and silky to touch, cooling and breathable. It is perfect for summer outfits such as this. Liberty Fabric’s SS21 collection has lots of amazing fabrics to choose from to achieve fun summer vibes, but from the very first look at the collection my heart was stolen by a print called Picnic.”
“Liberty has this to say about the print: ‘Taking inspiration from meadow flowers including cosmos, dog rose and carnations, this oil painted multi-directional print on an ikat style check is reminiscent of afternoons spent in the countryside reclining on a picnic blanket.’ Their description sums the print up perfectly, Picnic is exactly that and I love it so. The A colourway features muted multicoloured flowers on a white ground and the B colourway has mostly blue toned flowers. The C colourway has a lovely rich aubergine checked background and large flowers in warm grey/blues, purples and peachy tones dancing across its surface. All of them are beautiful, but C is definitely my favourite and I simply had to make a matching trouser and top set out of Picnic C.”
“The trouser pattern is an existing one I modified by widening the legs to make them more roomy and adding a hidden side pocket because, of course, everything should have pockets. Thinking about the trousers on their own, I also extended the waistline of the trouser pattern up about 12cm so I had enough fabric to fold over and make a paper bag style elastic waist. When worn without the matching top I can tuck in more simple tops and let the slightly frilled waist be more of a feature (not that the large floral Liberty print isn’t enough of one, but you know what I mean). The top was made by tracing the shape of a simple drop shoulder top I already had onto the fabric and cutting that out. I was going to make simple rectangle sleeves but at the last minute decided to do frilled sleeves instead, because apparently I can’t sew anything without some sort of ruffle – it must be a compulsion. The neckline is square simply because I don’t have many clothes with square necklines so I figured why not, ey? I’m pleased with how it all turned out and can’t wait to wear it out and about!”
“Having now worn both a jumpsuit and a trouser/top set I can confirm: everything is easier in a set! Not to mention that a trouser and top set is so versatile, it can be worn tucked in for the full jumpsuit illusion, untucked for something more casual as well as worn separately. Genius. Just thinking ahead, should this current set trend die off in the future and I become too embarrassed to venture out in public wearing it, it will also make amazing pyjamas so I’m all set (pun intended). Winning!”
