Flower Garden Camisole

I haven't made a piece of clothing for many, many years.  As I was digging through all of my vintage textile collection I came to this lovely hand crocheted yoke.  It looks like dogwood flowers, but I'm not sure.  What do you think?  I wish I could crochet like this because I'd love to make another.  It looks like a very easy pattern and I may try it someday...adding it to my journal as I type, so I don't forget!

I began by putting this on my dress form and just looking at it for a few hours. At that point I wasn't sure if I wanted to keep the pink ribbon that runs through it.  As I was looking at it my eyes spotted a piece of pink linen that I saved from Goodwill a few years ago.  I've used small bits and pieces of this linen over time, but still had a large piece that would be just enough for this creation. Along one edge it had a border print and then a nice open print along the other edge.

Drafting a pattern is something that I haven't done in an even longer time. I began sketching what I wanted and then created the pattern from there.

Since I love embroidery I saw the perfect way to incorporate it into this design. I echoed the design on the linen onto a solid linen.

I attached this piece to the front, then sewed the yoke to the front.

On the back I wanted it to be open and summery romantic. So I opened up the back and then created tabs, added a bit of the vintage lace from the bottom front to each of these tabs.

At first it was kind of gaping under the arms and I didn't like that.  I pulled a thin sting elastic thread through the underarm and gave it a light gathering.

One of the things that I thought was very unique about this piece of vintage crochet is that there are buttons on the left shoulder to make it easier to take off and on.

It took me the entire day to create this top and I am so happy with how it turned out.