Woven Vanilla Cami with Sheer Back Accent

I have my next Vogue Jumpsuit cut and ready to sew up, but I’ve gotten distracted from it by things I can wear to work. For example: this cami which uses up the leftover rayon challis from that unfinished project.

About the Fabric

4 yards of Off White Lavender Floral Pattern Printed Rayon Challis Sand Wash Fabric from Stylish Fabric

• Weight: 115 GSM
• Content: 100% Rayon
• Stretch: No Stretch

What is sand wash fabric?

Sand-washed fabric refers to the surface finish treatment that gives fabric a soft, chamois-like feel and luster. Other names include sueded or doeskin fabric.

Rayon is quickly becoming a summer favorite for me even though I gravitate heavily toward knit fabrics and patterns. The light, airy, flowy, fluid feel of rayon is unbeatable on hot days.

And for the sheer back…

I didn’t have quite enough rayon left to complete the cami, so I improvised a sheer accent for the bottom half of the back bodice. I’ve had this sheer, textured, chiffon-like woven fabric from Boho Fabrics for many moons and it was just right for this application.

• Very lightweight
• No stretch
• I’m calling it textured chiffon because I don’t really know what it is.

I used my vary form curve to draw a subtle convex curve around the waistline and cut two new pattern pieces. I added a 3/8″ seam allowance where I divided the pattern, sewed the two pieces together, topstitched the seam allowance to the rayon fabric, and proceeded as usual. I also made sure when cutting that the points of the chevrons were centered.

About the Pattern

The Vanilla Cami by Millicent Joy was her last release before she closed up shop. It never went through testing, but you’d never know it. I don’t think it’s available anywhere now, which is unfortunate because I would recommend it! It’s an easy sew with a plain option (shown), a button-up front, and a cowl neck option. Instructions are super clear—just pay extra attention when orienting the straps to attach—and it’s a quick sew.

Options Used for This Make

• Plain Cami (view A)
• Size 4

What I Did Differently

• Added the sheer accent to the back, and that’s it!

Project Settings