Ribbon-tie pants and a ribbon-tie blouse

I recently bought a few Japanese pattern books and am now in the happy position of having loads of things I really, really want to make. For my first dip into Girly Style Wardrobe I sewed up a linen version of the pants that I'd seen on Asmita's blog, with ribbon ties (actually bias tape ties) at the ankles. My daughter is a reluctant pants-wearer, so the idea was that the ribbons would provide just enough of a girly touch to get her enthused. And while it's too early to make a call on whether she'll wear them, they really do look very sweet.

I added a little tag at the back so she can put them on the right way without help. And I really like the way the patterns in this book include a permanent opening on the front inside part of the waistband/casing so that elastic can be adjusted if and when required (well that's what I assume it's for, but since the book is in Japanese I can't be sure...).

The sweet linen pants were crying out for a sweet top, so I tried out blouse C from Happy Homemade vol. 2 using Reprodepot seersucker from Spotlight. I love the cut of this top and the slight gathering of the sleeves that gives them a bit of shape without making them too puffy. I made size 4 with size 6 length and the fit is great, although if R's head grows too much bigger we may be in trouble. I'd like to try out more versions  - perhaps with contrast binding, or a bit of piping - but there are so many other new patterns to make first, so it'll just have to wait.

With not much free time last night, but feeling the urge to make something, I sewed a headband pattern from Sewing Lesson Book in fabric left over from the blouse. The bow is a little oversized, I think. I might just remove it and leave the headband plain. Too matchy? Oh well. On to the next outfit...