Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Blue and green

I finally finished my blouse last night after first cutting it out exactly two weeks ago. My return to work and the heat conspired against me finishing it earlier, but it's done now so I can move onto other projects.

McCalls 5640 View A

I have made this blouse (McCall's 5640 View A)) twice before, and since making that first one I now make it four sizes smaller than from my usual measurements, and then I take another 4 inches from the front and the back. Otherwise I find it has the tendency to look like a giant flouncy mumu rather than the simple and elegant yoked blouse I want it to be. I don't think it's a great pattern, and there is far too much hand sewing involved to make me a happy lass, but it does make a great top for hot summer days, and it also does a great job of featuring pretty fabrics without buttons and princess seams* and darts getting in the way.

The fabric is a printed self-striped shirting I bought about five years ago from Lincraft. I was attracted to the vintageness of the print and was going to make a skirt from it, but it would have needed lining and I love lining as much as I love hand sewing. In hindsight I should have bought more of it and then made it into a shift dress, a la the movie An Education (a movie which, incidentally, I hated. It promised so much, and delivered so little, except aggravation and beautiful 1960s fashions).



But for all my gripes about the pattern adjustments and the hand sewing, I know I will make this top again and again. Next time I aim to add some short sleeves to it - I think that would make it a nice blouse for work.

* Because Jodie and Michelle asked, here is a definition for princess seams, amongst other sewing terms.

15 comments:

  1. I thought it really was vintage fabric - it looks brilliant.

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  2. That is the prettiest fabric in my favourite colour combination ... blue and green. And pretty pattern I agree ... simple and elegant and it would look nice with pretty sleeves as well. I can't wait to see it.

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  3. What a pity that you had to make so many alterations to the pattern. It looks fabulous - a very flattering shape combined with being cool enough for a toasty hot day.

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  4. Very nice - anything with a square neck is very flattering. nic

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  5. Beautiful fabric! The pattern sounds like a horror, but it looks great on you with the mods you made.

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  6. I think after making that many alterations you have earned the title pattern drafter!

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  7. pssst...what is a princess seam?

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  8. Looks great. Is there anyway you can change the pattern to get rid of the hand sewing? And I second Jodie, what is a princess seam?

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  9. oooh dude! I love this one!
    It reminds me a bit of the Spring Ruffle Top on Sew Mama Sew, which is totes on my to sew list!
    xo

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  10. That is gorgeous - love the print and the style really suits you too. Looks perfect for the next couple of hot days!

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  11. Certainly, with all your alterations, the style really suits you. And I love the fabric, with those beads as well. Very cool and fresh.

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  12. Ditto to all the great comments about how nice the blouse looks...and as for that photo at the bottom...great dress, pity about the movie.

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  13. Good job...love the blue in the flowers. Would you call that periwinkle blue?

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  14. It looks very cool and comfortable and would make a great top for warm weather.

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  15. Hey that's lovely - came to your blog from Wardrobe Refashion and love the gutsy feel to it.

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