Linen Archer Button Up

Wiksten Haori in Linen and Double Gauze

The Haori Jacket pattern from Wiksten has been on my to-make list for quite a while, and with all the incredible versions on Instagram floating around, I was super excited to try it in linen. My body measurements matched up with size Small for the pattern, but upon reading reviews I sized down to XS and am very glad I did! It is still quite roomy! I sewed the mid-length version.

For the outer fabric, I used Robert Kaufman's Brussels Washer Linen/Rayon blend in the color O.D. Green from Stonemountain and Daughter Fabrics. The lining fabric is Nani Iro double-gauze in the Fuccra print from Weave and Woven on Etsy. Both have a nice, soft drape.

It's reversible! I think I will end up wearing the green side out more often because it's a little more youthful (Nate says I look like an art teacher with the printed side out). The double gauze is softer than the linen/rayon blend.

The real reason I made a Haori jacket for myself is that I was planning to make one for a friend and needed to test the pattern first. The one for my friend is in a wax-printed cotton from Malawi and lined in Kaufman Brussels Washer Linen/Rayon in Bordeaux from fabric.com to match the outer bicycle wheels.

I love the bicycle fabric but it's quite a bit stiffer than the linen. I ran it through the wash with fabric softener a few times, and hope it will continue to soften over time.

The "art teacher" vibe is strong. Good thing it's going to an art teacher!

I was so excited to deliver it, I didn't stop to take nice photos! Whoops! This is clearly not the outfit I'd choose to wear this jacket with.

Haven't decided how I feel with the linen side out. It feels a little minister-y? Hooray for completing one more item on my make-nine list for 2019!

Sewing Megan Nielsen's Virginia Leggings

Megan Nielsen's Virginia Legging pattern

Woop Woop! My first attempt at sewing my own activewear! I made the Virginia Legging from pattern designer Megan Nielsen. I've sewn Megan Nielsen patterns before and found that they run a little on the snug side (for me), so I erred on the side of my biggest measurements and was happy I did. I also followed the tutorial for a high waist from the Megan Nielsen blog.

I bought this fabric from Nunez Fabrics in Miami.

When I was in Miami for the boat show, I went to Nuñez Fabrics. That place is like the Mecca of spandex. I got a bunch of awesome stuff, including this fabric for the leggings. The 410 gram weight is really nice and thick, it feels sturdy and is not see-through. It's the thickest of all the fabrics I bought (I was picturing bikinis for the others), and now I wish I had bought more in this weight!

Here are front and back views of the Virginia leggings

I just can't get enough of this print!

I tried them out with my first attempt at a tee shirt, the Hemlock Tee by Grainline Studio

I still haven't figured out how to make a really smooth seam for the bottom band.

"Doing absolutely nothing in my ACTIVEWEAR ACTIVEWEAR"

And, because this is my all-time favorite video about activewear, I have to share!

By total coincidence, a few days after I finished my leggings, my local yoga studio was having a black light yoga night. The leggings were perfect! And what do you at the end of black light yoga? A photo shoot, of course.

Love this pattern, I want to make 100 pairs! On the next pair I will try adding a gusset because the crotch makes me a little nervous when doing skandasana (side lunges) and prasarita padottanasana (wide-legged forward bend) in yoga.