Like the play on words? Geddit? This blouse is certainly shy
and retiring, it’s taken me seven months to finish!
I’m back anyway!
The pattern is Colette patterns Violet, version 2. I decided
I wanted the longer sleeves and thought they would suit the fabric better too.
The fabric I bought last August when we were in Thailand. There’s still about 3
or 4 metres left for me to make an Anna Sui Vogue pattern I bought some time
ago.
I’ve not made any adjustments, I’m not the best at adjusting
patterns anyway (note to self, I really must learn to adjust patterns to fit
better!) Me being me too, I didn’t make a muslin. Instead I just went and cut
out the pattern and starting sewing!
I’m pretty pleased with the result though. I remember having
a few problems with the collar, ending with one side more rounded than the
other, fortunately this doesn’t show with this fabric. For the first time in my
life, I actually used French seams throughout, bar the seam across the back and
the arm holes. Are you impressed? This probably added to the length of time it
took to finish, not to mention the lack of machine for four months of the make!
Note the tidy French seam!
Mm, don't think that was in the plan - where's the seam ripper got to?
The fabric is quite fine and slippery and I ended up at one
point catching in fabric where I shouldn’t. Time for some unpicking! The top
buttonhole was also a nightmare. I lost count of how many times I tried to sew
it, fortunately it doesn’t show. All these problems using woven fabrics, dare I
even try to sew something with all the lovely knits here in New Zealand!
If I was brave enough, I think I might try to add darts like
Handmade Jane, etc have. The fit is very loose, but as long as I tuck it in I
think it looks OK. It may have been better to do an FBA, but that’s for another
time. So will I make up the pattern again? Yep, I reckon so. The pattern is
clear and easy to follow and I like the shape and finish. I’m not normally one
to reuse patterns, but I have a feeling this may be one of those few patterns.
I think the longer sleeves would be a tad more comfy using a small cuff with
the sleeve gathered in, rather than elastic. Maybe I can change them on this
one?
I also couldn't decide on the colour of buttons. I originally bought red buttons, then saw these lovely shiny black ones, what do you think?
The blouse was actually finished all bar the buttonholes
when my machine went in the container last December. I was hoping I’d manage to
borrow Mum’s machine at Christmas to finish, but it didn’t happen and the
unfinished blouse came in my suitcase when we travelled over! I even
contemplated sewing buttons on the wrong side and stitching poppers inside, but
I persevered and held out. The lifesafer was a new acquaintance in my new choir
in Wellington who lent me her machine. A week later the buttonholes were done
and the blouse was finally finished. Two weeks later I finally get round to
taking photos, by which time my own machine has arrived and we are at last
surrounded by our own belongings (bar the few odd things which got broken on
the way over and those that have gone missing – now where’s that insurance
claim form got to?)
Hopefully I can now get sewing again, although at the moment
I seem to be quite busy and finding time to cut out anything, let alone sew it
is quite difficult.
Anyway, here’s to a new year of blogging and sewing, albeit
four months into the new year! :-)
Lovely top Nikki :)
ReplyDeleteA very gorgeous blouse, and this is such a pretty silhouette on you. I am very impressed that you finished with those beautiful French seams; well done!
ReplyDelete