Sunday, January 6, 2013

Sick Saturday Sewing

Yesterday was day 4 of the flu, and I was still under orders not to leave the house.  I was bored out of my mind, tired of sleeping, tired of Netflix, and Mike was on his way up to Green Bay for the Packers game.  What to do?  How about sew two blouses!

This is my new favorite pattern:

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The pattern envelope doesn't look like much, due to unfortunate fabric choices (flesh-colored charmeuse??), but the original pattern drawings are cute, as are the line drawings.

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I only plan on making the blouse, but I bought the pattern on eBay for $4, so I think I am getting my money's worth. I don't care for the jacket or skirt, but maybe I will make the pants at some point.

Okay, reasons why this is my new favorite pattern:
-Takes about 3 hours start to finish
-Sleeves!
-The tucks at the waist are super flattering
-The gathering above the bust is adorable
-No zipper!
-Excuse to use a pretty vintage button
-Barely uses any fabric

I didn't bother with a muslin, and I cut a size 12.  I love this piece of fabric, but I got it on eBay for like $2 so it's really not the end of the world if I ruin it. In my delusional state, I managed to sew the yoke on backwards, which I didn't realized until after I trimmed and pressed the seam. And pulled out the gathering threads. So, I had to do all that again. Oh, and I learned two new skills with this blouse!! Bias binding, and turning a loop. Okay, why has no one ever told me how amazing bias binding is? I am never doing a facing again. It was so easy and used up like zero fabric and took waaaay less time than cutting a facing, interfacing said facing, sewing on the facing, trimming and clipping the seam, understitching, pressing, tacking down, etc. It took like 5 minutes to do the neckline. I was SO tempted just to "stitch in the ditch" but I decided not to be lazy and took the time to hand sew it. I loved the bias binding so much I did it on the sleeves too instead of hemming them. Okay, so here's blouse #1. Please ignore my fluface and yesterday's lopsided bun.

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The back is pretty too! Check out the sweet button loop. I did the trick where you tie a piece of thread to one end to turn it inside out, and it worked like magic. I can't believe the thread didn't just rip out or break.

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What's that? You want a closeup? Okay, if you insist.

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I was still bored, so I made another. This time I used some yellow stretch crepe that I bought on eBay a million years ago. I never used it because it had a funny old smell, but it seems to have aired itself out. This time, I made it a little bit longer (the blue one, like everything I own, I wish was an inch longer), and I did the darts in the sleeves. Oh yeah! There are three darts on each sleeve. I didn't do them and instead just removed the ease from the sleeve cap on the blue blouse because there was no way in hell I was doing 6 tiny darts on chiffon. Eff that. This fabric was much more sturdy, so I went for it.

I am not sure this is my best color? Whatevs. I'll just make sure to wear my hair down and a colorful necklace close to my face. The picture of me wearing it turned out blurry, so here it is on the hanger.

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It's super cute and fits nice, at least.

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Sleeve closeup! I did bias bindings again.

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Um, I made one more too. Shut up! You know I love to make multiples. The third one is almost done, I just need to hand sew the bias binding and hem it. This one is SLEEVELESS though so it's different, I promise.   If you have not previously considered making this pattern, I highly encourage you to. It's going to be a wardrobe staple, I'm sure of it.

12 comments:

  1. Gorgeous blouses and I can't believe you have another in the making too...and you're ill! Wow! I actually have this pattern for the pants, but now I'll be looking at the blouse with new eyes ;o)

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  2. I've looked at this pattern always thinking it's cute but never bought it, but looking at your master pieces makes me love this pattern even more! What a fabulous way to turn around a brutal sick day, bravo!

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  3. Absolutely beautiful! Bias binding is awesome and I'm with you - no more facings! I love your bun (wonky or not!) how do you do them?

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  4. They're gorgeous! I do like the double darts at the waist, and I definately agree that bias tape is amazing. :)

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  5. Oh my, I really love your blouses and I am now obsessed with getting that pattern at the next Simplicity sale at JoAnn's. You are more productive sick than I am on any given day!

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  6. Those are sooooo cute!! So impressed right now.

    http://streetlily.blogspot.com

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  7. Wow, these are fantastic. I have this pattern, of course, and your blouses are making me pull it out for another look. Bravo on your lovely bias binding, too.

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  8. Hi Amy! It's Amity, we met today at Gertie's Sew LA Party! Hope you had a good time in Los Angeles...just wanted to make sure and comment so you can find my blog! Here is also a link of the award I gave you since I know it did not go through last time: http://amityoriginals.blogspot.com/2012/09/an-award.html
    I wanted to send an email but could not find it! I hope you get it this time!

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  9. Love your tops, it was so nice to meet you at Sew LA. I loved your blue coat, it looked fabulous! Let me know if you come back to LA!

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  10. Oh just found your site through Dolly Clackett - score. Love the blouses. Might have to purchase this pattern myself, the blouse pattern is lovely.

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  11. I liked this pattern the first time I saw it...and even more the jacket shoulder detail. It was plaid material and a great place to put the shoulder on bias. My pants were a decent fit, but I felt the baloony style was a bit over the top. I think a vintage practice of sewing a line down both the front and the back folds would have made a positive difference. Clearlyh this is a great Western stye outfit

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  12. Hi Amy! Really love these tops! I'm planning on making more tops this year to go with all the skirts I've made before.

    Any way, I've nominated you for the Liebster Award! It's because I love your blog and think it's awesome:D I've posted about it on my blog so you can get more information- http://thedressmakingdiaries.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/liebster-award_20.html
    Best wishes,
    Freya May

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