When I first started this project, I had just one metre of linen fabric—nowhere near enough to make a full-length shirt. But instead of seeing it as a limitation, it sparked an idea to create a cropped shirt. I also wanted to bring more colour and life into the piece. I wanted to infuse it with more colour and energy, building on the soft pastel base to create a vibrant yet gentle palette, giving the shirt a soft, vibrant feel.
I had leftover rectangular blocks which I split in half using gentle, wavy curves instead of clean straight lines. These became a key design feature, added to the hem to not only extend the length of the shirt but also introduce contrast and movement. The combination of colours and curves created an unexpected mood, one that reminded me of a tropical beach house. The wavy hem, flowing around the waist and sleeves, really brought that breezy, laid-back energy to life. After cutting out the cropped bodice, sleeves, and collar from the green linen, I realised I still had a few scraps left. I used them to replicate the same wavy block detail at the hem, and even made a miniature version for the collar, a small touch that helped tie the whole design together.
To finish, I added a fabric band around the hem, sandwiching the top and bottom sections together. It not only added structure but also gave the shirt a clean, cohesive edge.
