As I wrote in my last post, I’ve created my own little summer challenge as an experiment in fun and efficiency: I’m basically working on several projects at once, but doing similar stages all at once so that I can concentrate on, learn and enjoy these tasks for longer periods of time.

The patterns include a couple of things that were originally on my summer sewing list, as well as late inspirations brought on by the heat-wave-mid-summer-Texas blues.

1. Peasant top and skirt, inspired by this Salvatore Ferragamo set. The pattern for the top is a 1970s Simplicity pattern and for the skirt a hack from a Burda mag pattern:

2. Silk charmeuse shorts (a holdout from last summer), from Burda June 2010.

3. White silk charmeuse tank, using the same pattern as my red tank.

4. Pinup Girls Linda bra (another holdout from last summer). I should mention I’ve never made a bra!

5. Hotpatterns Metropolitan Good Times Dress. This is for a friend.

6. Hotpatterns Riviera Cote D’azure Dress.

7. Colette Patterns Sencha blouse. I wasn’t particularly drawn to this blouse but have ulterior motives for at least fitting a test garment. It might serve as a Franken-piece for an ambitious fall project. More to come on that later.

8. Sewaholic Lonsdale Dress. This is the dreamiest maxi dress pattern I’ve seen in a long time, so I couldn’t resist ordering it. Alas, I don’t think I will be able to participate fully in Tasia’s sew-along as I’ll be on holiday but I may get close to wearing it this summer!