thinking about crochet and spring

It's not quite warm in Chicago yet, but that hasn't stopped me from dreaming about warm-weather clothes. I've been thinking about making a flowy spring top with a crochet yolk. With the magic of Ravelry, I found this: 

The pattern is Floral Motif Yolk Top from Crochet Adorned. How cute would that top be with a rustic leather belt?

The neckline is a bit square for me, though, and I don't like the thick straps. So I turned to ModCloth for some research/inspiration. 

I love the collar shape on this one.

A lacy racer back! A racy lacer back! 

But this:

This one is my favorite. I love the combination of the warm rose print with the cream-colored lace. I think I could use circular motifs laid out in a nice pleasing half-moon shape and then add a scalloped edging. I'm not going for a super lacy look, so I think it will work out!

Finally - The Parfait Dress

After a year of hoarding the Parfait pattern from Colette patterns, it is complete:

I found the plaid linen fabric on Saturday at Hancock's on sale. I had been planning to make the Macaron dress first, but I thought the plaid would look better as this smart little jumper. I plan to wear it with a collared shirt underneath for work.

I started cutting on Sunday and sewed all Monday night. Yesterday I went and got the zipper and buttons and took in the top a bit. I must confess - I never make a muslin. Which sometimes means that I have to pull out stitches, but I'm ok with it. For this pattern, I should have made the smaller size. In the instructions, it says something like "if you are between sizes, go a size up, as Colette patterns have less ease than other brands." I ended up taking almost an inch off each side and taking in the neckline.

Maybe I should have matched my plaids? I think I'm ok with it as is - and I didn't even think about it until I was sewing it together!

I had to get a close up of the zipper. This is, hands down, the best invisible zipper I have ever sewn. I give all credit to my new fancy sewing machine - a Baby Lock "Grace." It's electric. Very fancy.

I absolutely love the pockets on this dress. The details of the pattern are great. The plaid is a very sweet summery plaid - light green with pink, purple, cream and yellow.

Overall, I love the outcome. It's very sweet, a little vintage, and plaid. I love plaid.