Spring Blouse

Ever since I began sewing I have been eager to sew clothing for myself but after a few attempts with commercial patterns I gave up. I can draft a skirt pattern and make that, no problem. Thanks to Sew What? Skirts! One day I will even put a zipper in a skirt and the possibilities will expand boundlessly! :)
But I have been afraid to try a blouse because it just doesn't seem like something that will work. Pattern sizing is weird and in the last 18 months my measurements have fluctuated. A lot. And so it has been something I thought about a lot but not something to do. For fear. For laziness.
Of course, like every other crafty girl out there I read Amy Karol's blog. And she has been encouraging and challenging me lately with the beautiful things she has made. Watching someone else pump out cute stuff from a pattern means it isn't the pattern that is the issue, right? So I bought the one she's been using.
But I already had another pattern from two years ago that I had been meaning to make, well, for two years. I even had the fabric. Of course, this was all purchased before I understood about quilting cotton not being for clothing. But I held onto it for so long hoping to make this with it I decided I would consider this my muslin. If it turned out okay, great! If not I could always cut it up and use it for piecework.
I think it worked out just fine in the end. I followed all of the instructions and took my time to work in larger blocks of time since I had a snowpocalypse keeping Senor home.

blouse detail

I cut it down a few inches on either side after sewing the sides up the first time which means that the sleeves ended up being puffed. Which is just fine with me. I loved Anne of Green Gables when I was little!

blouse front

The button was an old make your own fabric button dealy from one of the grandmother stashes that I have been gifted. Senor thinks the whole look is very retro-futuristic and I can't say that I mind that either.

blouse back

I need to add a little hook and eye to the back of the yoke. Next time I make it I will use a softer fabric with a little more drape. I don't want to speak too soon, but I would love to make myself several outfits for this summer. I am tired of wanting nice clothes and then feeling weird about spending the money. And then I wait for a "special" reason to wear things since staying home with the Bug seems like a jeans and t-shirt kind of job. And then I feel like a slob. Well, once it warms up a bit I will be putting the jeans away anyway. Might as well have nice things I made just how I like them. Clothes that can get a little messy because you know, I can always make more!

Comments

that is very nice you have talent and when you can wear it ..even better.
My skills are in able to mend ..
a patch..or do pants shorten ..
I take everything else to a seamstress.
kayla said…
great job on the top! i should try making one again. i always get frustrated, but i do want to wear something more interesting than a t-shirt.
Unknown said…
The top looks great- I really like the button on the back a lot!
JoannaP said…
Check out these shirts for summer. I bet you could put something like this together. I'd just buy one b/c I don't have your mad skillz.

http://www.vanessachristenson.com/2010/02/february-giveaway.html
Mom A said…
I like the button, but I like the little boy with the tongue sticking out better.
Caroline Small said…
Retro-futurist is right on. I love it!
Jenny said…
Beautiful ... thanks for showing!
:-)

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