I feel a bit cheeky calling this a #sewjapaneseinjanuary make.  In my defence, the base pattern was Japanese and I made several alterations to the pattern for fit and personal preferences.

This my second version (first version here) of the Balloon Sleeve Pullover from Aoi Koda’s book “My Blouses and Pullovers” [ISBN 978-4-529-05836-0] with a Wiksten Shift shoulder slope and neckline, and a gathered and bound sleeve edge.

All the details on how this hybrid pattern came to be are in my previous post, so the only thing I need to tell you about today is the fabric.

The beautifully soft cotton ikat is from Crossgrain Fabrics and has the most perfect name… swimming pool.  The fabric was part of a prize for Sydney Frocktails and came to me via the winner of that prize, my generous friend Jillian (@sewunravelled).  The clear and bright aqua wasn’t a colour that suited Jillian, but it had Blogless Anna written all over it!

The top came together without an major incidents.  Although, there was just a slight delaying in finishing it as I sewed the top at our beach abode earlier this month and I mistakenly left the bias binding, made from matching fabric, at home.  Luckily Mr Blogless Anna went to Melbourne for work and was able to bring the missing binding down to me at the beach.

Pattern: A combination of the Balloon Sleeve Pullover from Aoi Koda’s book “My Blouses and Pullovers” [ISBN 978-4-529-05836-0] and the Wiksten Shift Dress and Top
Fabric: Cotton ikat from Crossgrain Fabrics
Alterations: I used the neckline and shoulder slope of the Wiksten Shift (with a 3/8″ (1cm) forward shoulder adjustment) and the remainder of the drafting is the Balloon Sleeve Pullover.  I left off the cuffs, added 1 1/4″ (4cm) of length to the sleeve, which was gathered and bound.
Outfit: Jeans from Scarlet Jones (on sale), basket weave shoes from Christine (on super sale!) and Trovelore brooch from Tiffany Trelour
Photo Location: Eastern Suburbs, Melbourne