Modern Lines and Cut Outs

One new outfit was certainly not enough for five days in New York.  I found a wonderful end of the bolt blue bird print that I made into a skirt using this dress pattern, but I needed something to match.

As soon as I saw this Cynthia Rowley design I was intrigued.  It definitely has a modern look, but I was attracted to the design.

After a quick muslin with a bit of an extended midriff, it was time to cut into my cotton.

Machine buttonholes are not my cup of tea, so I substituted button loops.

Clearly, this is not a bra friendly design, so I wanted to add one to the top.  

My first choice was not really workable with the center cut out (not sure why that did not occur to me before I tried putting it in place), but thankfully I had another option on hand.

Much better!

And there was a whole lot of interfacing.

I also made a couple of construction changes.  I do not understand lining a garment, only to stitch lining and fabric together before applying a zipper with raw edges exposed.

What else is a lining for, right?!

But other than some odd instructions, I really like the pattern.  I may just have to make another one of these at some point!