Zenith & Quasar Botanist's Notebook

Zenith & Quasar is reprinting some past designs that are popular from past rounds. The preorder runs through June 29th. I've sewn many of the prints at preorder and will be showing off a few makes new and old over the next few weeks.

First up is one of my all time favorites - Botanist's Notebook. This is a vintage Ernst Haeckel illustration. I pulled some of my hoarded stash off my shelf and made 2 new items with it.

 

I've had the idea to make a maxi dress with this print forever and decided to wait no more.

This is the Ellie & Mac Be Dreamy Dress. I recently made this dress for the first time and fell in love with it. You can read my initial post on the Be Dreamy Dress HERE.

I've been buying from Zenith & Quasar since inception. My dress is made with 2 different fabric bases. The skirt and sleeves are the original base that had 2-way stretch. The bodice and neckband are the athletic brushed poly with 4-way stretch.

The one modification that I made to the Be Dreamy Dress is that I cut the back skirt wider and gather it. I feel like this gives me plenty of room for my behind and gives a beautiful silhouette.

 My bodice was made out of a different knit because I did not have enough of the original base for the entire dress. I actually didn't have enough of the fabric for the skirt and had to cut the skirt a few inches shorter than I normally would.

To keep as much length as possible, I hemmed my dress with a rolled hem. I also used a rolled hem on my sleeves.

Since I had cut into my athletic brushed poly base for the bodice of my dress, I decided to go ahead and make myself a tank with it while I was at it. This is the Sinclair Patterns Shelby Tunic.  This is my go to loose fit sleeveless top. I'm wearing it here with Greenstyle Creations Everyday Yoga Pants made with modal jersey from Sly Fox Fabrics.

Since I was taking photos, I thought I'd share my previous makes with "new" photos. I started to wear my Shelby Tunic with my Itch to Stitch Paro Cardigan and my A Sparkly Baby Woman's Palauchos. But thought that might be too much and you wouldn't see the neckline of my cardigan.

I love the back of the Paro Cardigan. And no - I have never actually worn both of these pieces together.

So here are my A Sparkly Baby Woman's Palauchos on their own.

This outfit I have worn. My top is my other go-to sleeveless top, the Halla Patterns Agnes.

And this last photo is from July 2015. My first time sewing this print. I finally let this top go last year. So I only have this old photo of me to show you.

Be sure to check out all 24 prints at preorder. https://www.zenithandquasar.com/product-category/preorder-r34-reprints/

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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. These links provide me with a small compensation if you make a purchase using my link. There is not cost to you when you do this. My thoughts and opinions given in this blog post are mine.

Greenstyle Creations Lille Racerback Tank or Dress

I've had fun joining in the Greenstyle Fit Capsule Challenge. I've made 3 items. I was really hoping to make a few more, but time got away from me. Tomorrow (02/25) is the last day to get 25% off all the activewear patterns from Greenstyle! My latest addition to my Fit Capsule is the Lille Racerback Tank.

I made these Strides earlier in the month and wanted to make a Lille to go with them. I have a few other pairs of leggings that needed a coordinating top as well, and this Lille will go with all of them.  See my blog post about the Strides HERE.

I used a swim knit from Zenith & Quasar for my Lille. This print is near & dear to me as I spent hours meticulously coloring these diatoms which are a vintage scientific illustration by Ernst Haeckel. I also have this print in my Spoonflower shop HERE.

The racerback is really nice for allowing completely free movement of the shoulders. The binding came out perfect and looks so good.

I graded out the hips more than I needed based on my measurements so that I could bet a looser more flowy fit and love how it came out. The Lille does come with an option to do a banded hem on the tank as well. The Lille also has 4 dress options.

The Lille also has the option for a built in shelf bra, Which I included and added bra cups to. I want to be able to wear it without a bra. The Lille has 2 neckline options: higher and scoop. I did the scoop neckline.

I'll definitely wear this Lille for more than working out. I can see myself wearing this with capris on a cruise or at the beach. I might even wear it to work with a cardigan or jacket.

I can't wait to make another Lille. I already have fabric for one that I bought this weekend.  Be sure to grab the Lille while it, and all the other activewear patterns, are on sale for 25% off. The Lille was also recently updated to include layers for printing and the armhole has been made slightly lower. I used the original pattern file. I'm 5' tall and the original armscye is perfect on me.

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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. These links provide me with a small compensation if you make a purchase using my link. There is not cost to you when you do this. My thoughts and opinions given in this blog post are mine.