Finished! I made this blouse from a self-drafted pattern. I based the bodice pattern on my Refashioned Lace Blouse, but adapted it by:
- making puffed three-quarter length sleeves with cuff bands
- adding a small Peter Pan collar
- including a yoke
- loosening the fit of the bodice.
The fabric is from a little shop in Brixton market and feels like a sand-washed silk habotai but is probably more like some kind of genius imitation as it only cost £3. In real life it's more of a greeny-teal colour than is showing up on my laptop screen.
I have a feeling this pattern is going to become a wardrobe staple, like the Beignet skirt, of which I've made multiple versions. I simply adore button back blouses. And the style of blouse is so versatile, my head is bursting with ideas for tweaking the pattern to produce lots of different versions...
Do you have a staple pattern that you return to time and again?
[Soundtrack: 'All the King's Men' by Wild Beasts]
beautiful - I love the sleeves and the buttons
ReplyDeletehow great, I too love the buttons at the back!
ReplyDeleteTilly, this is lovely - so elegant.
ReplyDeletethis is really beautiful - I hope you're proud! :) x
ReplyDeleteWow, that looks great. The contrasting buttons are a lovely touch too. You didn't happen to get the ersatz habotai from the shop on the bend in electric avenue? Can't wait to see your other iterations.
ReplyDeleteSo lovely - and all your own design! Well done - I particularly like the collar and button detail. Looking forward to seeing what else you do with it. Exciting stuff :)
ReplyDeleteThis is such an excellent color on you, well done! The fit is lovely and I love the collar and the sleeves! Well done.
ReplyDeletewww.strugglesewsastraightseam.wordpress.com.
This is so cool! I love the red buttons against the teal. So stylish!
ReplyDeleteI like the sleeves very much, and the contrasting buttons make the blouse even more lovely! You got a good eye for details - I think this is what makes garments special and inspirational. By the way, your style reminds me of Anthropologie, or vice versa ;-)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous Tilly, I love teal and red too. I hope you're proud of yourself? You certainly should be, it's a wonderful success and like you say, crying out for all sorts of different adaptations.
ReplyDeleteI can see the Ginger pattern becoming a favourite with me and the Pendrell blouse has had three outings! x
Yep, I knew I was going to love this just from the description a few weeks ago! It's gorgeous in every way, you should be very proud! The only patterns I've made multiples of to date are the Sorbetto and Ginger...though Ginger's probably more of a staple than the former. Love them both though!
ReplyDeletesecretlifeofseams - yes! Atlantic Fabrics! I haven't bought much fabric there but I love going in to browse and the man who sits behind the counter is quite sweet.
ReplyDeleteMarina - aww thanks! If you can't afford Anthropologie, make a 3 pound blouse yourself, right?
Sorbetto, Pendrell and Ginger certainly seem to be staples on the sewing blogs. I wouldn't wear the blouses (don't really like my arms) but I'm super tempted to invest in the Ginger, I've seen so many lovely versions of it (particularly Jane's denim one and Marie's maroon one).
Very pretty, the items you make are always so lovey and flattering. I haven't been sewing quite long enough to double back on a pattern but there is one that I love, a vintage dress pattern, that I have plans to utilize again.
ReplyDeleteWow, respect! I wouldn't know where to begin. I particularly like the sleeves.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous blouse, Tilly! I love all the feminine details - button back, blousey sleeves, and the peter pan collar. Well done!
ReplyDeleteLove the color combo and the collar!
ReplyDeleteI tend to run two or three versions of a pattern, then move on to something else.
Ah, it's really lovely Tilly! Great job on the self-drafting too.
ReplyDeleteRe: the extra ease on the bodice - is it enough that you can (with 1 or 2 buttons undone at the top for your head) slip it on over your head to put on. Or, do you need to undo the whole blouse please? (Curious as I adore back-buttoned blouses, but I always seem to struggle to do them up!)
I love the contrast in the fabric and the buttons. so cute. I love the sleeves too, was it difficult to draft?
ReplyDeleteCute look! Lovely colour on you too!
ReplyDeleteI like the top, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE those books! That is my dream bookshelf!
ReplyDeleteSuper lovely, those buttons are the perfect touch!
ReplyDeleteMarie @ Lemondrop ViNtAge
I'm having a giveaway...
Really cute shirt! I love the collar, the buttons on the back, the puffy sleeves and most of all the colour!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. I love the sleeve gathers at the top I think the best ( and of course Peter pan collar!) brilliant you for getting on so well with self drafting- it must be so satisfying. My fave patterns- simplicity 2599 rufflely ruffley summer loveliness. The ginger is also proving to be a much worn fave, I need to make more. And I still also dream of another beignet. There is something so perfect about that pattern!
ReplyDeleteOooo... it's lovely! the neckline and the peter pan collar go together really nicely.
ReplyDeleteI'm planning on teaching myself some basic drafting after Christmas and will have to pop into that shop in Brixton too!
I love simple top patterns like granlines' tank top, pixelink's kimono tee and sorbetto. I have at least half a dozen of each and I wear them all the time!
xxx
I have a "pattern wardrobe" I go back to all the time for making "staples"... I'm pretty happy with that state of affairs.
ReplyDeleteYour blouse is lovely. :) I like the sleeves, they're one of my obsessions at the moment...
Beautiful! That green is a lovely color on you.
ReplyDeleteI've been expanding on a couple of pattern staples lately- a t-shirt pattern from Burda and an a-line skirt I drafted. I use them quite often to make things now as I get a better fit than envelope patterns. I'd love to find, or draft, the perfect trouser pattern, though.
It's so pretty Tilly, and well done! I love the wide-set peter pan collar and button back.
ReplyDeleteHello Tilly,
ReplyDeleteAm loving your blog in general... thank you. I started sewing in June and it's been compulsive ever since. Love this blouse...easy to do up by yourself?
Jo
:-)
I adore it! I love the puffed sleeves- very pirate/romantic but in a good modern way! I hope that comes across as a compliment! :)
ReplyDeleteUmmm teal silk - you have my attention. Love the feminine sleeves and the back buttons are great.
ReplyDeleteThe blouse looks fantastic on you! And the red buttons -- great!
ReplyDeleteClaire and Jo - good question! When I wore this the first time I did the buttons up once I'd put it on, but I just tried again and could get it over my head very easily with the buttons done up. Only thing is that with the soft fabric and small buttons the lower buttons popped open in the process, but they're easy to reach. I might tighten the buttonholes though anyway.
ReplyDeleteHow pretty, and you drafted it yourself! I really like the billowy sleeves and contrast back buttons!
ReplyDeleteIt's really pretty and elegant.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on such a beautiful blouse. I love the color and all of the details you put into it. The buttons up the back add a nice touch, especially with their pop of color. Bravo for designing your own pattern. You're an inspiration for me as I venture into drafting my own pattern block.
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! I love everything about it: the buttons, the sleeves, the collar! Well done :-)
ReplyDeleteThis is lovely! I adore back closures myself, though they can be difficult to manage by yourself sometimes. This one looks as if the collar is wide enough to just pull it over your head?
ReplyDeleteI don't really ever make a pattern twice, although I mean to, but never get around to it. Once done, I'd rather try something new... Only once I re-did a pattern, changing it up considerably though...
I love contrasting buttons!
ReplyDeleteAn easy way would I try it Thank you
ReplyDelete