Sew Mama Sew Citronille Pattern Challenge

I'm excited to announce I'm in the Sew Mama Sew Citronille Pattern Challenge! Fiddlehead Artisan Supply (lots of yummy goodies there) is bringing the French Pattern line, Citronille, to the United States for all of us to enjoy.  French designer Astrid de Larocque-Latour has created this sweet collection of women's and children's patterns and I had the pleasure of sewing up the Zebulon Top for the challenge.

The Zebulon pattern is a versatile women's tunic pattern (it comes in children's sizes, too) that would be beautiful made up in any number of fabrics, from quilting cotton to silk crepe.  I decided to make my blouse up in an unexpected lightweight wool gauze with subtle sequins.  Elegant and so French, right?

All of the instructions are in French but an English translation page is included.  The patterns come with illustrated instructions and although this sewed up easily, I would recommend it for a sewist with some sewing experience.  To make construction easier, I marked the pattern pieces with English translations and marked the sleeves with notches at the cap, front and back.

The construction is pretty straight forward but because my fabric has a loose weave, I used tear away stabilizer at the corner of the inset and I added 1/2" wide strips of interfacing to the front opening to help it lie flat.  I shortened the sleeves 3" (I always think a 3/4 sleeve is more flattering), cut the inset crosswise for some interest, and left the buttons off because the sequins are enough adornment.

This was my first experience sewing with a pattern in French and by the end of it I felt very sophisticated and European.  I mean, I'm practically French now.  When you see me in my tunic you may think I fill my house with fresh flowers, wear red lipstick and eat croissants but don't be fooled, I just finished downing a NY bagel with cream cheese when I snapped this picture.

I took these photos while on my trip to NYC.  What a fun place for pics and the perfect place to wear my new tunic! 

I'm in great company in this challenge so be sure to visit my fellow bloggers and their projects.  We're using a variety of Citronille's patterns so you'll get a good look at the offerings:

Michelle Morris of That Black Chic

Sherri Sylvester of Thread Riding Hood

Tenille Brien of Tenille's Thread

Maris Olsen of Sew Maris

Ari Green of Max California

Marisa of Thirtynine

Sara Johansen of The Sara project

Natalie Strand of Vegetablog

Jessica Wright of Willow & Stitch

Sara Homer of Now Try This

Kelly Donovan of Craftree

And as a special treat, Sew Mama Sew is having a pattern give away! Hop on over for your chance to win (because if you don't win somebody else will!)

Happy sewing my friends!