Deer & Doe Hoya Blouse + Ginger Jeans

Hi friends! I’m so excited to tell you all about this outfit. It feels so summery and fresh. I made the Deer & Doe Hoya Blouse (from their new spring collection) using a red gingham shirting fabric from Indiesew. I also made my second pair of Ginger Jeans in this really cool light blue stretch denim from Style Maker Fabrics. Let’s dive right in!

First up is this gorgeous shirt: the Deer & Doe Hoya Blouse. My initial thoughts about this pattern were a little unsure. It’s definitely too low cut for me to wear without a little tank underneath, and I wasn’t sure if it would look as cool worn this way. After finishing this top, I have to say I really love it! I don’t mind the look of the layered tank, either. I love the little lapel details, and the mock wrap lined front bodice.

This top came together in one night, cutting and all. It’s a super quick sew with easy to follow instructions. I like that it was quick, but also interesting to sew up. It’s totally different from any other top I’ve ever sewn before, and I really like trying different things. I sewed up the size 36, with no alterations. I really enjoyed putting this little top together. It’s a great spring/summer wardrobe addition!

When looking for fabrics to consider for this top, I tried to find something that would look okay with a white (or whatever colored) tank paired underneath it. I remembered Indiesew had just added some really fun gingham fabrics to their site and headed there. I really love the look of gingham for spring and summer, so it was an easy decision. You can find a small white and navy gingham shirting + this large white and red gingham shirting I used in the Indiesew shop.

To switch up the gingham pattern a little, I decided to cut out all my pattern pieces on the bias. I love the finished result! Make sure to buy a little extra fabric if you decide to cut along the bias too.

Okay, on to my jeans! These are the Ginger Jeans by Closet Case Files. So first, a little disclaimer. This is my second pair of ginger jeans, but the first pair I’ve blogged about. The first pair ended up being more of a wearable muslin because the fabric I used didn’t have much stretch to it. But, I learned a few things from the first go around that helped in perfecting my “real” pair.

This pattern comes in two rises: low rise and a high-waisted. If you prefer more of a mid-rise, Closet Case Files has recently added a mid-rise pattern you can purchase as well. I sewed up the high-waisted version, and I love them!

I sewed up the size 4, and didn’t really need to adjust the side seams at all! I did take in the bottom hem at about a 1/2″, grading into the side seam. The pant hems were a little loose around my ankle, and I wanted a slightly closer fit. I also left my hems raw. I really like this trend right now, and it also gets you one step closer to finished jeans, faster! Haha. Give them one wash/dry and you’ll have the perfect frayed hem.

I also raised my back pockets up 1″ from the original markings. I definitely recommend playing around with your back pocket placement before top stitching. Everyone’s back side is a little different, and you definitely want your back pockets to be in the right spot for your body.

You guys, jeans are not hard! They just have more steps to follow. The instructions are very clear, and the pictures are really helpful too. I totally recommend this pattern.

I picked up my hardware kit from Threadbare Fabrics. I love that you can get your zipper, button and rivets all in one order. I’ve struggled in the past with installation of the button and rivets, but these ones went in really smoothly. I do have two rivets installed in my front pockets that you can’t see. I found I was successful thanks to Allie’s tutorial on Indiesew. She recommends buying a solid steel jewelry bench to use as your surface for hammering the hardware pieces into your jeans. I bought one and I totally recommend it! You can watch her whole tutorial here!

Okay let’s talk about this fabric!! I have been searching FOREVER for light blue STRETCH denim, and I’ve had the hardest time finding it, until now! I found this stretch denim in cornflower blue at Style Maker Fabrics. All of my light blue denim dreams have come true! It has the perfect amount of stretch for this pattern, and sewed up really beautifully. This is how they fit me straight out of the wash, but they do loosen up a little with wear, so keep this in mind as you are fitting them to your body; this fabric will stretch out a little.

A get a lot of questions about my favorite jeans patterns. I have tried three different patterns so far and I really love them all for different reasons. I’m planning on doing a separate post this month comparing them all. Stay tuned!

I’m so happy with this outfit! I love the bold pop of red, classic print and fun style lines of my Hoya Top, and even better paired with the springiest of skinny jeans. Thanks for reading along and happy sewing!