Starting to Sew

I need a bathrobe/beach coverup, and I found this in my stash:

It looks kind of Asian, but I think it's meant more to have a French flavor. I used this pattern and cut it longer and wider (so I can add a belt or maybe some buttons). After I serge it together and try it on, I'll decide what my next step is.

I also need a light jacket for the evening ocean breezes. I bought this pattern a while back and even though it is meant for quilted fabric or fleece, I thought maybe I could use it for this fabric:



It's actually upholstery fabric-a flat-fold remnant. I washed and dried it and it turned out beautiful. I found a nice satiny polyester in my stash that will make a nice lining. The pattern doesn't call for lining but that never stopped me before. I also squared off the bottom and lengthened it about 1 1/2" so I can wear it with more outfits. It also calls for frogs or something similar. I'll wait until I have the body put together and try it on. I'm thinking button loops of some sort and some classy shank buttons. I won't bind the edges. Lining it will take care of edge finishing. I will interface to make it look a finished as possible. I'm skipping the mandarin collar, too.

I love taking patterns and making something entirely different out of them!